15 Years

We celebrated our 15 year anniversary on Thursday, August 11th.  I dropped the kids off at Roy's parents in the later afternoon and we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Aposto.  It was a fine dining experience.  Everything is made fresh in house and was seasoned with goodness.  

It was a lovely evening for a walk on the pedestrian bridge with someone you love.  

The red rose anniversary tradition lives on.  

Friday morning we grabbed caffeinated drinks and then headed to Ames.  

Brunch at The Cafe, which we would still refer to as our favorite restaurant, did not disappoint.  Even after all these years the food was amazing and the prices were great.  Roy is still talking about how awesome that breakfast was.  This is the place we had dinner the night we were engaged and the last time we went I got sick as we suspected I was pregnant (with Ivy).    

A long walk around Ayda Hayden Park/Lake, another favorite Ames stop.  

We strolled around campus and made stops at the Memorial Union, Campus Bookstore and grabbed some ice cream at the ISU Creamery.  

We watched a movie in the afternoon and wrapped up our 27 hours without kids with a plate of fajitas and some pickle ball.  I will never ever grow tired of spending time with this man of mine.  He is one of God's greatest gifts in my life and I am thankful for his commitment, grace and partnership in all things.  

 

Cousin Swap 2022

We had the 3rd annual Cousin Swap August 7-10.  It was Hudson's turn to go to Kansas and Ellsy's turn to visit Iowa.  We had a blast and sweet memories were made.  The kids are already talking about next year.    

We kicked things off with playtime, pizza and a movie at Nana and Papa's house on Sunday night.  

Ellsy and Greta are about 5 months a part, but one grade different in school.  

Monday afternoon I took the girls to the Clive Aquatic Center while Ivy napped.  

A Monday morning bike ride....yes please!  

Another day, another movie 

Ellsy requested cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Tuesday morning we headed to the Blank Park Zoo.  The weather was perfection.  

A classic zoo picture 

We got into the zoo for free so I promised the girls a ride on the train.  It was definitely a highlight of our time.  

Crazy tidbit...the man driving the train was the doctor who delivered Hudson 11 1/2 year ago.  

Ivy was too busy "driving" to look up for the picture.  

They loved watching the giraffes roam and snack.  

Sweet Lil' Swingers 

Spa Time is a Cousin Swap tradition.  They soaked their feet in the tub, got a charcoal mask, cucumbers on their eyes, looked at magazines, and got their toenails painted.  

Play time! 

All texting their mama :)

We took Ellsy and Greta to the pickle ball court.

They didn't last super long, but still got in some movement.

Wrapping up our last night together with some ice cream.  

Ivy enjoyed it too!  

Roy's love for ice cream runs thick.  He is clearly passing it along to our children.  

One last horrah...the splash park.  

Hudson had a blast in Kansas and was spoiled with lots of LEGO building and water time (two of his favorite things).  

 

 

Adventureland 2022

 Roy took Hudson and Greta and met his sister Lynn and her 3 kids for the annual day of fun at Adventureland on Friday, July 29th.  I stayed home with Ivy, just felt like a simpler and cheaper option. Roy took plenty of pictures, which provided a great way for them to share about their day.    

Roy, Mylo and Milly (back row) went on the Monster.  It's the biggest roller coaster at Adventureland.  Mylo's words afterwards were "as soon as I got in line I knew I had made a mistake."                              

So thankful they can make these sweet summer memories together, yet they missed having the Kansas cousins join this year.    

Hudson doesn't love any of the big and crazy rides.  He gets motion sickness quite easily.  

Nana discovered these horses a few years ago and now they are a traditional stop.  

Train ride!  

Wrapping up the day on the Giant Sky Wheel.