Sunday morning walk with ma
Just the average weekend lunch on the back porch
Des was a bit lethargic after his nap, which continued well into the evening. After not eating much dinner, he got sick in the bathtub (which in hindsight, not a bad spot)
After getting all cleaned up, he was feeling a bit better. Braveheart joined in for a special, late-evening viewing of Cars 2
Morning at the park before it gets too warm
The girls have lunch with Kali
Baby’s first pool day
After a while, Ella just wanted to watch
He was surprisingly tolerant of the ant traversal, just too fascinated
Des “helping” with block party preparations
Got lucky with this neighborhood
Still figuring how to play together, Des experiments with stacking toys on sister
Firsts: eating dad’s hummus, hummus beard
Our little power splasher
The road trip back was about as-expected, even stopping at the same rest area. Des was proud of him self for walking down the pillars all by himself.
Making good time, a stop at Zombie Burger for lunch. The best veggie burgers and brussels sprouts!
Last morning hike
With all the kids in good morning spirits, it was good opportunity for a couple family photos
Great-grandpa Irv and the boys
The original grandchildren crew
The morning adventure was to the Decorah Fish Hatchery
There were indeed tons of fish, eager to eat the pellets tossed their way
Waterfall at nearby Siewers Spring state park
When leaning over a stream, always hold grandma’s hand
After naps, another trip to the pool
Drying off and snuggling with mom
Back at grandpa’s for dinner, the boys read Des’ dinosaur book with great-aunt Molly
The cousins discover the piano
Coloring ensues while the grownups are at the table looking at old photos
With everyone sleeping in the same hotel, mom is kind enough to take the earliest wakers out for a morning hike
It took a while to finally fall asleep the night before, so Des slept in with dad
After American Hot Breakfast at the hotel, everyone makes their way over to grandpa’s house
Des is just happy since Cal brought even more cars and ninja turtles to play with
Grandma reads an opera “adopted for children”
…which puts Eleanor to sleep, so it’s time for naps back at the hotel
After a good rest, everyone is ready for the pool!
Despite the apparent face of apprehension, Ella was all too happy go splashing
Back at grandpa’s house, the boys rediscover the pool table (a prominent fixture in aunt Kellie and dad’s childhood memories of Decorah)
Gathering around the end table for hors d’oeuvre, like the generations before
Des patiently observing as Cal plays with his new car trailer
Eleanor not sure of what to make with dad plinking on the piano and signing
Time for PJs
and some standing with grandma
Des and great-aunt Molly reading Dragon’s Fat Cat
Cousins being silly
Early Saturday morning, the family set out on the first road trip as four to see great-grandpa Irv in Decorah. The long weekend also coincided with a wedding in Des Moines for one of mom’s cousins.
Eleanor (thankfully) slept all the way to Des Moines, but was awake and all smiles at the church.
Des and dad read his new book at the reception, What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night (thanks Katie & Stephen!)
All the great-grandchildren with great-grandma Jan
Des playing his first round of putt putt. Hitting stuff with balls is always a win.
Des exclaiming, “woohoo!” when he knocks the ball in
Mom putting around the toddler hazard
First official father and daughter dance ❤️
Ma showing another Meysenburg girl how to dance
Dance like nobody’s looking
Des pushing around a chair, moments before climbing on it, toppling off and scuffing the scab on his nose. This marked the beginning of the departure and resuming the road trip
Living the dream, both kids asleep in the car
…for about 14 minutes before sister needed her first rest area stop.
Des exploring and enjoying his own personal picnic shelter
Riding the wave of sister’s temperment/sleep, Des exploring rest stop #2
It was a rough final 45 minutes, but everyone made it to the hotel alive. While the girls were going to sleep, Des and dad decide to burn off some pent-up energy with a nature walk
Decorah’s characteristic limestone cliffs paired with an Iowan sunset was the perfect end to the day.
He had to get one more picture on the way back, this time with lights
Checking out the progress the crane truck is making at dad’s work
At dad’s new office’s open house, Eleanor discovers hummus. After that, she demanded it.
Desmond laughing, despite his new road (sandbox?) rash
