Great Expectations....meets reality!

So it's Friday and we just got back (on Tuesday) from our whirlwind Iowa extravaganza. We left on Wednesday the 20 something after Eric had been out of town for three days. I was a little unorganized as I had watched our buddy, Diego, on Monday and Tuesday and had no time to run errands, etc. Anyway... we rented a mini van that we picked up Wednesday morning and we ran to get it after my dad got here from Arizona. Let me just say that I love my Dad a ton, as do the boys, But Jesus Christ, for a guy who wears the same outfit everyday, he had as much luggage as Eric, myself, the kids, and the dog! I digress... we loaded the van and headed out... after Eric went and bought a new portable dvd player. We already have one, but there are those of you who know the story with that and I'll leave that for another blog entitled "Dumb shit our husbands do." So we bought a new one. Then got our nice mini van with a built in dvd player. Dum da dum dum. We drove for about 7 hours and stayed at a decent hotel that allows pets in the great state of Nebraska. The next day we arrived in Cedar Falls in the afternoon and went to hang out with Jace, Cari, Doug and Ozzie. The dogs had a ball. I swear Sasha sleeps for a week after seeing Ozzie because she is sooooo worn out. So we went out to dinner, with all of us, plus Eric's younger brother Levi, and had an okay time. Three tired toddlers at a restaurant does NOT make for a wild party night. Lesson learned. Put the kids to bed, went out for beers with Levi, felt like an old lady at his college house and went to bed. Friday morning Jace and Dad came over so Cari could go to work and we hung out at the pool. My mom came down and we all just swam and ate- thanks for the puppy chow mom! Eric's sister and our nephew Jacob (who mavi decided is the coolest guy in the world!) came and we swam and ate some more. Mom's husband, Lyle, came up and we had a big pizza party in our hotel room- again 3 toddlers + late dinner = bad idea. Everyone left and Eric, Myriah, and I hung out and watched tv and Mavi and Jacob stayed up until midnight! On Saturday we tried to got the this new museum in Waterloo, but our party boy was too tired from his late night. OH- I forgot to mention that Keenie Beans wandered around whining and crying all night friday. New people + tired baby makes for a big pain in the ass. I love Beanie to death but DAMN. He needs to learn how to go with the flow... So Saturday our friends Mike and Karla came up with their baby, Mikey. Mavi again found a new friend- he seems to like taking care of younger kids- same deal with Mikey as with Jace- It was so fun to just hang out with Mike and Karla and have a few bottle, I mean glasses, of wine. Mikey is a cutie pants and we miss those guys a ton. Sunday we went to Nana Rosie's house and she hosted a party for Lyle's 50th birthday. We saw a ton of relatives, Aunt Jami, who I miss a ton! and Keith and Darcy and Ali who haven't met Keenie, plus a few others. I didn't really get to talk to anyone as the kids were enthralled with the wide open space. Welcome to the country, city kids. They got to feed some cows and just run around and be crazy. Jace came too, so Mavi was pretty excited to teach him how to climb on a pile of a lime. We stayed and my mom's house that night and it went well, except for her devil cat. I am not kidding- I'm a total animal lover, but this thing had me freaked out. It growls and hisses and seriously acts possessed. Sorry mom, but I'm giving the whole story. We went and hung out with Eric's family at his parent's church on Monday and had a barbecue. Eric's grandma and aunt, uncle, and cousins came too, along with Myriah, Matt, and Jacob. The church is awsome and has tons of kid toys and even has a nursery with cribs so Beanie took a nap. We had a great time and met my brother, who graciously took care of Dad and Sasha the whole time, in Iowa City. We thought we might drive straight through, but the beanster had other ideas. Mainly waking up and crying hysterically every 15 minutes until I decided we had to get a hotel at 2 am. Than he wakes up and jumps up and down thinking it's party time for a half hour. So we got home Tuesday at about 3 pm. I fed the kids McD's and let em hang out in pjs until bedtime at 8. We loved our visits, but were so glad to be home. Let's just say we'll be flying next time. I did lose about 4 pounds tho, since Keenan wouldn't let me put him down to eat. So that was nice. Thanks to everyone for coming to see us and making our trip home so worthwhile. I'll post pics tomorrow. Maybe. :)

It's amazing how they are kids now....

Keenan cheesin it up for the camera.

Keenan and Mavi on the choo choo at the zoo.

I don't know if you can see it, but there is a mommy orangutan that Mavi is pointing out to the other little guy in the pic. She just sat there and touched the glass every once in while. It was pretty cool to see how she reacted, but made me sooooo sad that she's in a zoo.

Maveric holding Keenie so he doesn't fall- how come our posed pics always turn out the worst?? :)

I know we do a lot of food and table pics but this was just toooooooo cute!

Mavi and his buddy, Diego, playing with the bubble lawnmower.

Keenan waving HI MOMMY!

This is Mavi, Tyler, and another neighborhood kid making a train with the Hummer and wagon. Let's just say it worked for about 15 seconds. Nice try guys!

The kids having a snack on their new picnic table. Mavi calls the umbrella the "rmm-vrella." The kids (not babies) are doing great. Mavi is learning so much every day. He loves animals, especially sea life and African Savannah. He is riding a trike now, but does not enjoy the pedals. Apparently they get in his way. He can identify 3 or 4 colors, count to 12 (memorization), do his shapes- all the normal 2 1/2 year old stuff. He still loves trucks and cars- especially garbage trucks. Most of the time he is a treat to spend time with and is almost too cute for me to stand it! Keenan is now 15 months old and is CRAZY! I swear this kid is wild. He says a lot of stuff- the newest is "Iwant this" and "I did it". So funny. He loves to cuddle and hug and kiss Sasha (or any dog that will let him). He is learning how to ride the trike too and still gets soooo excited for the teletubbies. I am trying to switch him to one nap a day so I can get an hour or two with no kids, but he's having a tough time- he does love his sleep. We'll be in Iowa next week for a while so I will try to post some good family pics when we get back. Thanks for checkin' in!