Will and Clara will play while the big girls are at school

Here is a prime example of one of our days.  We have been visiting Lowe's quite frequently to get the house settled.  Will thinks that the tractors belong to him and that he can sit on them all day.  Clara just tries to kick him off b/c she wants whatever one he happens to be sitting on.  When I take Will off the tractor, he screams until we leave Lowe's.  If I happen to let him down, he'll streak across the store back to the tractor area.  It's crazy annoying, but it makes them happy.  

Also I included one of Will's many battle wounds.  I can't remember what he bashed his face on this time, but the kid is always hitting his head!

Grace and Evelyn's First Day of School

First Day of New School

Grace 2nd Grade

Evelyn Kindergarten

The girl's school is amazing.  Grace and Evelyn were so excited to go be with kids after the first few weeks of August with just mom and dad to hang out with.  When we got to school they had tons of balloons at the entrance and Miley Cyrus' song Party in the USA.  It was adorable and it really helped the girls forget they were nervous.  They both went right in and sat at their desks and got settled.  I couldn't wait for the end of the day to come.  I was nervous for them.  They both had great days!

Deanna Rose Farmstead

We brought the kids to our first KC attraction.  After trying to see as much as we could while in Seattle we took a break from trying to cram things in every weekend.  This place is ADORABLE!  Lots of animals to pet and things to see and do.  A family favorite!!  I think as Will and Clara get a little older and more manageable that we'll be there a lot!!

Together again - Kiewiet's and Bradley's

Grace was so excited to hold baby Ceci!!  We are all so happy to be back together with our wonderful friends.  We are loving being able to watch Ella and Ceci grow.  After all of the love Erin and Jeff have given our kiddos, we are so so so happy to be able to share it with their girls.

Beautiful Country

Nate loves taking pictures of scenery, so I thought I'd include them.  The first ones are of Seattle, and the last ones are from the trip with his dad from Seattle to our new home.

Home Sweet Home

HOME SWEET HOME

Was thrilled to see the truck arrive with all of our earthly possessions jam packed in!  

Super thankful for the moms and Gretch.  My mom drove down to the new house with me and we spent two and a half long days unpacking like crazy.  Thank goodness of strong men that work for Two Men and a Truck!  We got the entire house set up.  The kids rooms were ready, the toys were out, the kitchen was perfect.  Even the garage and storage rooms were organized.  We were crazy but it was super nice when we got here.  The ONLY things we didn't unpack were decorations.

Sharon and Gretchen kept the kids in Iowa, and did an amazing job with them.  I didn't worry for a second and I don't think the kids even realized I was gone.

Possessions had settled with the cross country trip!  A crazy mess to untangle!

Iowa Summer Visit

 We began our Iowa trip at Grandpa Bill and Grandma Sharon's farm.  A LOT of outdoor fun was had by all.  We were thrilled with the heat since Seattle had been more chilly.  We are thankful for air conditioning!

The frogs being held hostage on the kick board floating in the pool

Grace and Evelyn's frogs.  They were so proud.    Until mom left the bucket in the sun too long!  

Fun with cousins.  The girls found a new tougher side wrestling with the boys!

Lightning bugs!

Snapping Beans - Helping Grandma Sharon!!

Girl self portraits!

Carpet picnic....awaiting Grandma Sharon's malts, perhaps!

Grandma Julie came to visit the farm and had a blast harvesting!

Grace missing her friend Claire....hugging her Cheetah that reminds her of her Seattle friend

Sleeping Beauties....now at Grandma Julie and Grandpa Chip's house.

Not a very good sleeping beauty....waking mommy too early, but look at the smile!

National River Museum with Grandpa Chip

River Museum with Grandma Julie

Trip to the ER - Grace was bitten by a cat

Being that cat bites have a 90% chance of getting infected we took a quick trip to the ER and Grace got on some antibiotics.  Everything turned out just fine, just a little traumatic for Grace.

Waiting in the ER

         

Will in the garden