Osh Kosh

This is probably a post that I should have Ryan work on, because I wasn't there and I don't know much about the pictures.  But they are memories that Luke & Ryan made that I want to remember, so I better do it.:)  The last weekend in July Ryan and Luke flew with Mike (Ryan's dad) to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin.  There's a big air show there every year and Luke had never been.  He flew into Ankeny and picked them up and then they continued onto Osh Kosh.   They arrived safely and set up their tent and then went out to have a look around.  While they were eating a huge storm blew in and by the time they got back to camp, there tent was blown over and their sleeping bags were soaked.  They proceeded to lay out their sleeping bags and other wet items over the side of the plane so they would be dry by the time they returned for bed that night.  I think they rested for a while and then went out to check out some more things.  They do a movie every night on a big screen outdoors so they settled in to watch.  Partway through the movie it began to rain again.  Unfortunately for them, they had not brought their sleeping bags inside.:(  They were a wee big chilly that night.  Mike and Luke shared a blanket and Ryan used a small towel....not the greatest night of sleep! The next day they took in some more of the show and went over to the air museum.  They did get to make it through the entire movie that night and managed to stay dry! The next morning they left to head back to Ankeny.  On the way home they hit a huge band of storms.  They made a pit stop in Independence, Iowa until after 2 hours they saw a small opening they could fly through.  They finally made it back home.  That day was also Ryan and my 11th anniversary.  We didn't get to celebrate, but we ordered up some wings that night and at least we were together! Sunday morning Mike headed back home with Luke & Reagan in tow.  They got to spend the week in O.C. and we met them up there later in the week for our cabin trip.  They had a great boy's weekend and maybe next time Drew can come along, too!

Relaxation

We were able to make it to Ryan's parent's cabin in Minnesota twice this summer.  We love being able to go and relax and not have any real responsibilities.  The first time we came back home, we discovered our house was flooded (that will be post of it's own).  We were crossing our fingers that this time around things would be as we left them (all was good).:)  The weather was cooler this time, but the water temp was still nice so we could still swim a bunch.  The boys took a field trip Saturday morning, but Drew came back worried that Indians were going to attack, so I don't know if that was such a great idea! Luke's been learning how to drive the boat, too, and he thinks he's pretty big stuff.:)  3 of the kids and I were able to visit with my friend Maria and her kiddos on Monday morning before heading back to Des Moines.  Reagan wasn't feeling well, so she stayed back with Ryan.  It was a nice way to wind down our summer.  Only 2 more weeks until school starts!

Adventureland

We spent a Friday at Adventureland a few weeks ago.  Luke went a few years ago with my cousin's family and he's been begging to go back ever since.  The kids are all finally at a good age to enjoy the rides and handle a full day at an Amusement Park.  Ryan's parents came along with us, so we could hit the rides man to man.:)  It worked out well because we always had someone who could stay back with the kids that didn't want to ride something.  I was curious how Lauren would do because she is not a very adventurous child, but she actually went on quite a few rides.  We had a great day and it wasn't super busy, so the lines were manageable.  We missed out on the waterpark, because about 10 minutes after we got there it started to lightning, so they had to close it down.  It then proceeded to pour down rain for the next 20 minutes.  We got drenched but were able to take cover under a large gazebo type thing and wait out the rain.  Most people left during the storm, so the kids were able to go on a few more rides that they had missed out on and not have to wait at all.  It was a fun day and the kids are already asking when we can go back!

Drew & Lauren liked these little ladybugs.

The hot air balloons ride.  Lauren is sitting beside Grandpa Mike in this picture and she actually liked the ride.

Drew & Lauren opted out of the Raging River, so Grandpa stayed back with them.  I was really hoping to not get so wet on this ride and we manged to stay fairly dry.  Too bad we got even more wet a few hours later from the rain!

Lauren didn't want to go on the Log Ride either, so she hung back with me.  This was one of the few rides that had a larger line, so we had to wait a while.

Luke, Reagan, and Grandpa

Ryan, Drew & Grandma

This water ride was a little more Lauren's speed.:)

Reagan is our child who has no fear.  She was bummed that she couldn't go on any rollercoasters at first.  Ryan checked to see if she wanted to go on the Tornado with him and she jumped at the chance.  The lines were short so they went twice in a row.  Luke went on it with Grandma, but he wasn't quite as big of a fan.  This is the best picture I could get of them on the Dragon.  Reagan wasn't sure about going on that one because of the loops, but once Ryan convinced her to try it she loved it.  They proceeded to go 3 times in a row.:)  Reagan said the first time she closed her eyes, the second time she had them open and the third time she yelled "wahoo!!!".  She definitely does not take after her mother.

Lauren did not like the ride below.  She went on it and started to get more and more nervous as the ride proceeded.  The ride attendant kept looking at us to see if she should stop it and we kept telling her she was okay.  We finally did have her stop the ride, because we were afraid she was going to totally lose it.  At least she tried!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Drew & Lauren celebrated their 4th birthday this June.  They've really grown up this past year and are definitely not toddlers anymore.  They are two of the funniest people I know and make me laugh daily.  They are really excited about attending preschool this fall (I'm not so sure if I'm ready for it!).  They still continue to have a special bond with each other and are quick to take care of the other.  That's not to say they don't have their fair share of arguments.:)  It's fun to see them encourage each other when one is a little nervous about trying something new.  I tried to convince them to have the same theme for their party this year, but they are definitely their own people and wanted their own things.  They were okay with having one cake though and thought just putting the characters on the cake was great (phew).  We had VBS everynight that week and went to Adventureland all day Friday (I'll do a separate post on that), so there was no time for this mom to make a cake.  Thank goodness Costco makes some great ones!

 Drew is still a huge fan of Toy Story and Lauren loves the princesses.

 Excited to open presents! Drew would open one and then Lauren would have a turn.  They very patiently waited for the other one.

 A new Toy Story learning game.

 Their very own stepstools with their names on them.  Hopefully this will help them learn to spell their names a little better!

 They got to go to Build a Bear with G & G Van Mersbergen earlier in the day.  Drew picked out a Buzz Lightyear Bear that sings "Under the Sea" and Lauren has a fluffy princess bunny that barks like a dog.:)

 Happy Birthday to you!

 Lauren enjoying her cake and ice cream.

 Drew got a new stomp rocket so all the cousins had a fun time trying it out in the driveway.

Drew helping himself to more food.  That must be why he weighs 5 pounds more than Lauren.

Spring Break...the end

We had a fabulous second half of our spring break as well. After 3 days of rain we were thankful for some sunshine and warmer temps so lots of time outdoors could be spent. We went to Orange City for a long weekend with Ryan's parents, which the kids are always super excited about. We had a fun time relaxing. We went to a movie (the kids and grandma-"The Lorax" & the rest of us to "The Hunger Games".:)) We also took the kids to an indoor pool in a neighboring town and of course to the park and the bakery. We also got visits in with both of the great-grandmas. The kids broke in the new little puppy Morgan. I'm pretty sure the poor little dog will sleep all week after the chasing that went on.:) Angry Birds!

The kids love to sit by the bar to eat their meals. There's a chair for each of them!

Walking the dog

Reagan and Morgan:)

Aunt Elise and Grandma did an Easter egg hunt for the kids. They had a great time hunting for them.

Drew showing Oma how the ipad works.

Reagan reading Green Eggs and Ham to Oma.

The puppy loves to play tug of war with her toy. Drew would have her hang on and then drag her around on the hard wood floors.:)

Grandpa gave airplane rides on Saturday. It was calm and a perfect day for flying. This was Lauren's first time in the airplane. She finally decided she would like to try. As we were taxing for take-off she said to me, "You're right, Mom. This isn't so bad!".

The girls turn

Drew checking out the scenery below.

The boys during their flight.

Grandpa and Grandma just returned from a trip to Cancun and brought all the kids new shirts and hats.

Drew and Luke love the motorcycle!

Drew also loves to hunt for rainbows made by a prism in grandpa and grandma's room.

Grandpa Mike, Luke and the Harley

Helping Grandpa out in his work truck.

Grandpa and Grandma also have a wii now, so we had lots of games of Mario Bros.