Down on the Farm

With Grandpa Steve and Grandma Cindy home from their church mission, we were so excited to finally get to go down to the farm.  The kids had missed it so much for the past couple of years.  They could not wait to visit Missouri..especially our farm girl, Ashton.  After only being back from Texas for a week, we met Grandma Cindy half way, and she took Ashton with her down to Missouri.  (I was able to meet some dear friends in Nauvoo and spend a few hours with them which was just amazing. Love you, Jayna and Erin!!)

Well, Ashton had the time of her life.  She loved the freedom, the animals, the extra attention from grandparents, the cousins, and everything else.  Each night she would call me and tell me about her adventures...it was fun to see her becoming more independent, handling things on her own and just really loving her time in Missouri.  Of course, we missed her like crazy, and I loved seeing Grandma's facebook updates that would pop up every so often.  She especially enjoyed attending Young Women's with Grandma, learning to sew, working in the fields with Grandpa and Uncle Marc, driving the ranger, bike riding with Grandma, and making a beautiful jewelry box with Grandpa.

When we arrived to spend a few days, I think Ashton was torn about how to feel...happy to see us but not all that happy that 5 people were encroaching on "her" space and territory.  After a few hours, she got used to it, and we had an excellent time.

Tod wasn't able to make the trip with us, so it was just me and the kids.  The drive seemed very short after our Texas trek!  In fact, on our way down, we didn't even stop!

We spent the days relaxing and enjoying being back on the farm!  I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Spending time with cousins is always so much fun:

Look at this bunch!

It was baby Luke's first visit to the farm and he loved it:

This boy (Cole) was completely in this element...I just had to watch him carefully to make sure he didn't take off alone in the ranger...he is fully capable of driving it...if only he could reach the pedals.

Shooting bb guns was a favorite activity:

Just being together was the best part...we really missed our grandparents while they were gone...and we are glad to have them back!!

It is so fun to take walks around the farm at night...such a beautiful, peaceful place.

We also loved being able to hang out at Aunt Megan's and Uncle Jerimy's house...they have all the fun toys including my dream car...
A Suzuki Samari...I even got to drive it!!

Four wheelers provide hours of entertainment...Kayla and Leah are expert drivers.  My kids kept running into the trees.  The girls were patient with their "city" cousins!

Nothing like cooling off in the pool!

And then it was time to come home.  The drive back to Iowa wasn't nearly as pleasant as our drive down...some of the excitement was gone.  But we all dug deep and somehow we made it safely back.  I am thankful to have Steve and Cindy back home safely.  I am thankful for the sacrifices they made and the experiences they had as missionaries.  And now we are glad to know they are back on the farm, and we can't wait to visit again!!