The Johnson's visit Iowa

We had the privilege of having my brother Mark's 3 kids for the week.  We made the arrangements before we knew that Mike got his new job.  Mariley, my Sister in Law is due with their 4th child at the beginning of September and I live too far to be able to help out.  I figure this was a way to give her a break before baby comes and allow the kids to have some good quality "cousin time." 

June 21, we met half way to pick the kids up, in Louisville, Kentucky. The kids all did amazing with the 8 hour car ride home. No one got car sick, thankfully.

4 identical booster seats, gotta love Costco prices :) 

 

 

Sunday, the 22nd, we attended church.  Sacrament meeting was quite comical. My friend Jasmine's daughter, Emme usually comes and sits on my lap every Sunday, this Sunday was no different. My friend Emmie's daughter, Chloe wanted to join as well.  We had our 3, The Johnson's, and the 2 girls. 

Nyah made it through the first 2 hours and then decided she would take a little rest on Auntie.

 On Monday, the 23rd, we attended a BBQ, to celebrate our friends adoption of their nephew. Michael stayed the night there.

 On the 24th, we walked up to Target to get popcorn and icee's for snack.  I had 2 of my kids, The Johnson's, Grace, Grant, Noah (daycare friends) and my friend Emmie's 2 kids.  The looks and comments that I got were pretty funny.  I say what a better way to get out of the house.

Matt,  Michael's friend goes to Utah until mid August so, the boys get to have a sleepover.

Best buddies

On the 25th, I only had 1 daycare kiddo so we drove to North Liberty and played at the playground.

We then proceeded to the MacBride Rapture Center.  If you live in the area and have never been, you are missing out.

Catching butterflies

Kale, showing us his wingspan

Jens, showing us his wingspan

Nyah, showing her wingspan.

 

 

 

 

Cuties!

Grace found the first frog. Everyone enjoyed holding it.

 

 

 

We ended the day at Costco.  The kids each got to have frozen yogurt and pizza, a family favorite.

On the 26th we went to Beaver Park Zoo, Hyvee for free bananas and cookies, then the Indian Creek nature center and enjoyed spending time there. I didn't get any pictures of the day but, it was enjoyed.  The first thing we did at the nature center was check out the pond.  Noah, my daycare child, loves all things bugs and reptiles.  I kept asking the kids to back up and before I knew it he fell head first into the pond.  Michael acted quick and plucked him right out.  It made the day quite interesting...he may not get so close, next time.

On the 27th we went to the free kids movie and saw, The Lego Movie, it was awesome.

On the 28th, we met up in Lexington, Kentucky played at a really fun park, had lunch at Chili's and dropped the kids off. Within minutes of dropping them off our kids were zonked.

Each night the kids had a sleepover in the living room on my kids 3 twin sized mattresses. Kale said he wanted his own bed by about 1/2 way in, but, there were no alternatives. It worked out wonderfully other than that. We had showings on our house almost every day that the kids were with us so, getting out of the house was quite the feat. Our routine was: putting the mattresses back on their beds, making the beds, getting dressed, putting the dirty clothes away, cleaning off all counters and mirrors, putting all bathroom rugs and towels away from sight, making sure the toilets were all flushed, opening all the curtains and making sure the windows were clean, making sure all the rooms and toys were picked up, and making sure the kitchen was spotless by doing dishes, clearing off the counters, etc. It was difficult to get out of the house quickly but, the kids were very patient. 

Overall, we had a wonderful time and I hope that we can make it happen again.