Wisconsin Graduation

We took our longest trip yet with all four kiddos over Memorial Day weekend.  We headed to Spooner, Wisconsin for my cousin, Kasea's graduation.  Every summer for the past, I don't know how many summers, Kase and McKenzie come to Iowa to stay with us for a week.  

 We left Thursday afternoon and headed to Hastings, Minnesota, to stay with my grandparents.  We wanted to break up the 6+ hour trip at least one of the ways.  All three boys loved my grandpa's cane.

 Brody decided how to show great grandpa Don how to play stupid zombies on my phone.  It was so cute.  Friday morning we got up and headed to the Legion for some breakfast.  It's a favorite of ours, right on the Mississippi river and I always get the biscuits and gravy.  The only time I ever get it is there.

 We hit the road for Wisconsin about 10:30 AM on Friday.  Mother Nature did us a favor by raining on Kasea and Taylor's softball game on Thursday.  The rescheduled date was Friday at 3:30!

  It was very cool that we got to watch the girls play.  They both start.  Kasea catches and T plays second.  Bowen was more interested in Ken's camera though...

 Taylor laid down a great bunt and was safe at first.  I was too lazy to move down the first baseline, so that's why you see their backsides. :)

 You know you're in Wisconsin at a softball game when there's pine trees in the outfield.

 As for the game, Spooner was behind, then rallied and then the team they played rallied and the Rails were unable to come back.  It stunk.  It ended up beings Kasea's last game. :(

If you want to get my aunt Jeri worked up, just ask her about having your clean-up hitter bunt in the bottom of the seventh inning... LOL.

Friday night we hung out in the hotel.  I put the twins to bed and Aaron took the two oldest swimming. That meant I got an HOUR to read.  Peace and quiet.  Ahhh....it was A-MAZING!!

Saturday from 12-4 was the actual graduation party.  We spent Friday setting up for a couple of hours and went out early on Saturday to help finish up.  Kase had lots of pictures.  Girl after my own heart right there. :)

I think Jenna and Brody were the first ones through the line. The food was delish!  Speaking of food, you know you're in Wisconsin when somebody brings fresh milk and cheese as a gift to the grad party. I'm not even kidding.  Proof below:

 

It was soooo good!  You really could taste the difference.  Who would have thought?!  Aaron and I posed with the graduate.  She is a great kid and I know she's going to be awesome at whatever she does.

The Roman girls, plus me and Jenna Jo.  I love how this picture turned out.  What a fun time!

After we cleaned up at the party, we headed back to the hotel for an hour or so to recharge.  We headed to Hayward where Steve and Jeri now live.  They just moved into a new place at the end of April.  I love it.  Nothing says you're in Wisconsin more than this:

My Uncle Steve.  He's a good egg.  Always has a big hug and some kind words for me.  Love that guy.

Taylor and her boyfriend spent a majority of time chasing Mr. Bowen up the stairs.  I think they got a good workout!

This is "Uncle" Greg.  Actually, it's one of Steve and Jeri's friends, who we've never met before.  Blake LOVED and I mean LOVED him.  Blake is always more leery of strangers (for obvious reasons and who can blame him?), but he took to Greg right away.  Blakers has a thing for hats...  Anyway, by the end of the night Greg was hanging with both boys and gave them big hugs when we left.

All six of us waiting out the thunderstorm before heading back to Spooner.  Bowen's face = priceless.

It was a long trip home, but the trip was so worth it.  I hate that we live so far away from the Romans.  We always have so much fun when we're together and they are so good to the kiddos.  We kept track and it was 837 miles round trip.  Whew!  So happy we got to go and visit, but now we're happy to be home. :)

Twins times two

We had quite the Saturday night at the Bodammer's trying to keep up with Landon/Tristan and Blake/Bowen.  The Bodie boys were born about 5 months before Blake and Bowen.  We (Jill and I) thought it would be so adorable to get all four of the boys together in one picture.  Yeah...

Here is attempt #1:

 Landon (in the orange) wasn't having it and Tristan was cheering him on it looks like. haha

 Then Blake and Bowen were watching and thought it was pretty funny too that their friend wouldn't sit still.

 Jill tried her best, but we couldn't get Mr. Landon to sit still.  So...

Here is attempt #2:

 The picture above might be the best one we got of the night.  It was challenging to get all the boys to look at the cameras, even with Jared, Aaron, Brody and Jenna as distractors.

 This picture of Jill and me is priceless.  I have no idea what we were doing. hahaha.  Landon wasn't too happy about it though.

 Landon has had enough...

 And Tristan too...

 And there sits Jill without either of her twins. :)

Attempt #3:

 We thought if we had them hold onto the black tub that they would at least stay still.  But it was so tasty...

 And then it was Bowen's turn to not sit still.

 There he goes again.  Clearly we should try to put them in the tub...

 And then Bowen and Landon decided to smack Blakers in the head.  Game over.  At least we can say we gave it a good go.

I found it so interesting to watch another set of twins.  I am very interested in twins and their behaviors and personalities.  I think that Bowen and Landon were similar and Blake and Tristan were too.  One set more outgoing and the other more laid back.

We had so much fun and can't wait to see our friends again, hopefully soon!

Mother's Day Weekend

We decided to head to Northwest Iowa for Mother's Day weekend.  Aaron took his last personal day and we picked-up Jenna from the Blank Park Zoo and made the long trek to Sioux City.  I love seeing family, but man oh man do I hate the actual packing and traveling part.

Anyway, after a quick trip to Target we headed out to our friend Gabe's house.  He (along with his wife, Jenny) live north of Sioux City on three acres of land.  Gabe is like an annoying brother.  A total smart ass, but when you haven't seen him for awhile you realize you kind of missed him. :)  He took the kids for rides on his 4-wheeler.  They loved it, especially Jenna!

 Adam and Jill and the girls came up Friday night too, so it was great to see them.  Aubrey is a May birthday, so we celebrated her birthday on Saturday.  She was very embarrassed when we sang her happy birthday.

 The big two year old!  I love her, what a cutie pa-tootie!  She has an affection for Minnie Mouse.

 The weather was better than expected, so the grandkids got some quality playtime in the backyard at grandma and grandpa's.

 Jenna found this ginormous lion in the basement and toted it around with her all weekend.

 My two peas in a pod.  Bowen ventured out off the patio area into the grass and these two found some dirt to play in.

 Brody showing Bowen the ropes of getting dirty and playing in the dirt.

 No trip to Sioux City is complete without a stop to Caribou Coffee!  Love that place.  It was so warm I had to get an iced coffee.

 After my trip to Caribou I took Jenna and Brody to an elementary playground nearby to burn off some more energy.  The other Burdorf clan had headed to Spencer to see Jill's family.

 Saturday night we saw some good friends of ours from college, Jared and Jill Bodammer and their twin boys.  Ironically, they live just down the street from Frank and Linda.  We had an AWESOME time catching up with them!  They made a huge, tasty meal and the rest of the time we chased around two sets of twin boys. :)  I'll have more about that in another post.

 Jared and Aaron played bags.  Blake (above) was their distraction during the game.

 They had a circular brick patio area that Jenna and Brody thought was like the Indy track or something as they kept going around in circles.

 In honor of Mother's Day...Aaron and his mama. :)

Sunday morning we headed to Cherokee to have lunch at my mom's.  She put Bill in charge of the meal and it was delish.  He made me an asparagus seafood bisque! Can you say yummy?!  

The kids were excited to meet the three kittens my mom's cat just had a few months ago.  Aren't they cute?

 My mom's neighbor and landlord put this trampoline right next to my mom's place.  The kids LOVED it.  Jenna and Brody wore Uncle Mitch out. :)

 Me and my mama.  Love her.  Maybe someday her hair will be brown again so we actually look a little bit alike - haha!

 One final stop at my dad's before we headed out of town.  The first thing Brody asked for was to get grandpa's tractor out.  He gave Jenna, Blake and Bowen rides.

 It was a great trip.  Like I told Aaron, it was nice for me to get away because I didn't have to worry about housework or going up to the office.  I just relaxed and really enjoyed myself.  It was nice.  The kids both made me something in school for Mother's Day.  It's my favorite when they fill something out.  Here's Jenna's:

 My favorite food is asparagus and I like to pick her up from school.  Love that we look the same. :)
And Brody's:

 I'm the best at giving out vitamins.  Well, I guess that's important, isn't it?!

All of my baby dolls.  I feel so lucky that I have been blessed with four great kids.  I thank God everyday that he chose me to be their mom.  They are each unique and special in their own way and that's why I love each of them.  They keep me on my toes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)