Boys trip to Iowa

Ok, so we had some family trips planned for this summer pre-Kate arrival to get to see as many as we could before the infant locked us up at home and making a long drive impossible. Well, that didn't pan out as we waited for Matthew's surgery to be scheduled, everything else went on hold. God had a plan though and Grandpa and Nana also postponed their trip to Iowa for other reasons this summer and ended up taking the boys with them to Iowa the week Matthew had surgery and was in the hospital! It was a true blessing! Despite it being very difficult for Mommy to be without her boys for the first time for more than 48 hours, and having a VERY quiet home to sleep in by herself, it was a perfect solution to the chaos that week would have been had the boys still been here in Fort Worth. In addition, they had absolutely the BEST time seeing everyone, and I think Grandpa and Nana enjoyed having some serious one on one time with the boys without Mommy and Daddy around to make all the rules!

They left early Sunday morning to make it to Grandma's house by evening on Sunday and apparently did AMAZING in the car...stopping only a few times, with only 3 movies! The rest of the time they played with toys, inevitably drove Nana and Grandpa crazy with "I Spy" and "guess the animal" games! They even took a nap without much fuss in the afternoon, and that was with Noah going back to sleep in the AM - and Drew being quiet enough to let him! Seriously, who are these kids?!

They made it to Grandma's by 6pm (that's only 13 hours people, it's a 12 hour drive without stops!) and the boys were overjoyed to spend the evening playing with the Thompson boys in the front yard - no doubt running, chasing, wrestling and catching lightning bugs! This picture of their feet is the result of a successful evening of play!

The next morning, Grandma's piano was once again discovered by children and I can only imagine how beautiful it all sounded! :)

Then it was over to Scott & Becky's for more Thompson family fun...these boys have only had about 3 different times with the Thompson family on a whole, and nothing against anyone else, but they sure took a liking to the Thompson kids immediately and have made a lasting impression, so no doubt they had a blast spending so much time with them! And thank you Scott and Becky for letting our kids take up so much of your time in a no doubt, very busy week!

So, it didn't surprise me one bit that Noah would be the one trying to pick up the cat...or any animal for that matter!

And God bless Uncle Scott for letting the boys drive the tractor! I'm sure it was a bit less than a controlled ride!

And sweet Jake, helping the boys hold a chicken! Jake, you rock!

The next day (Tuesday) was apparently the only day that was really very hot the whole week. They went to the park first thing in the AM, but it was too hot to stay longer than 30 min. But they then headed over to the other Thompson family home to have a much anticipated playdate with their cousins that are closer in age. Well, it apparently was quite amusing as the 2 groups tended to just stick to their own and had to be coerced to stay together in the same room to play! So funny how little ones react to their own! A big thank you to Aunt Patti, Josie, and Barbi for giving the kids time together - even if it had to be forced! :)

So more fun awaited that evening at Stella's, love that the boys helped with the corn, and then of course hunted down more lightning bugs! These are memories I have from being little at Grandma's farm and LOVE that my boys are having some of the same experiences!!!

Oh, and Scott and family showed up...so there was more wrestling! Hooray! The boys just LOVED it!

And a fun bonfire to boot!

The next morning was fun at Grandma's, and I love that they played with Grandma and Grandpa...had we been there, they would have clung to us more I think, but I'm so happy that had some fun one on one time with them as well!

They also got to meet the newest member of the Thompson family, baby Jack! Such a cutie! Thanks Annie for making the trip! And I love that Noah is trying to figure out how to lie on his belly here as if he's never done it before! Cracking me up!

And then a fun surprise for the boys...a birthday party with the fam! Thanks to all that came out...what a treat! No doubt they LOVED the attention and all the presents! Y'all are so sweet and thoughtful! THANK YOU!

Another fun morning at Grandma's house, and again, this is just classic Thompson Iowa fun and memories!

Then on to the County Fair - what a fun experience for the boys. Let's be honest, we (Matthew and I) know nothing about these types of things and while we can go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and such, we don't have a clue what we are looking at or for, so this was a fun treat to experience with people who actually are experts on what is going on!

Love those cousins...and love how sweet Jake and Tim are here - as if they are taking care of my boys! Just love it!!!

And a fun visit with cousin Kelly...again...love how you can tell they enjoyed their time with everyone - Noah doesn't just sit in anyone's lap people!

And here are the ones responsible for this awesome family we have to visit! Thank you for taking our boys into your home for a week and letting the chaos descend on your peaceful home! I love that they got to spend time with the both of you and experience some of the same things I remember from visiting you in the summers! Love you Grandma and Grandpa!

And a huge Thank You to Grandpa and Nana that came up with the crazy offer to take these wild boys on a week long road trip to help us have a less chaotic week in the hospital! God bless you again and again for this! I know you enjoyed it, and there's no doubt the boys had a blast, but it was a true gift to us as well. We missed them like crazy, but this was a much better plan and much more fun week than hopping between home and hospital, so THANK YOU!

Oh, and by the way, the trip back was even better than the trip there! Which any of those who are parents to young kids know the trip back is always harder because they are tired and worn out and fried from a week from their routine. But no, they left at 4:20am, both fell back asleep in the car in the AM, both took naps in the PM, only watched 2 movies (I'm sorry, WHAT?!) and were back home with us by 5:45 that evening with only TWO stops! Seriously! I think Nana and Grandpa should be responsible for Drew and Noah on every road trip from now on!!! Oh, and it was SOOO good to have them home...how I missed their hugs, smiles and giggles!