Our Weekend

This weekend was one of those that we didn't sit down much.  Just as one event ended, we were on our way to another.  It was busy in a fun way.  And we got to see so many people that are special to us.  Here's the recap:

Friday night: We grilled steaks, hung out on the deck,  had a glass of wine, went on a walk, gave the kids baths, and went to bed early. 

Saturday morning: We started off with a trip to Hy-Vee at 6:45 for donuts and Starbucks.  Cary had been up since before 4:00 and so he was ready for an activity. :)  We came home, Cary mowed and I made some cookies, pasta salad, and italian sausage for grinders.  Showered, cleaned-up the house quickly and were ready for company.

Saturday 11:00: Kick-off for the Michigan game.  Joe, Holly and their kids, and Cary's cousin LJ, his wife Katy, their 3 girls, and 2 of their nieces (and our cousins) showed up.  The kids played and played, upstairs and down and in the yard.  Saylor slept almost the whole time. Brynn got carried around by her big girl second-cousins.  The adults ate and drank and watched the game.  A big win by Michigan, so the boys were happy.  :)

Saturday 4:00: After everyone left and we quick cleaned-up the house, we were on our way to Indianola - our old stomping grounds.  Our friends the Donnenwerth's were back in town for the weekend and so the Murphy's and us decided to meet them at the Simpson football game.  Amy's parents, her sister and her family, and the Donnenwerth's nephew Jake were all there too.  The kids ran around, rolled down the hill, ate popcorn, and played.  During half-time, we did a little parenting-style tailgating in the parking lot.  The kids just climbed through the car, in and out of the carseats, pushing random buttons, while the adults had a beer and caught up.  After the game, we went to Amy's parents' house for pizza and snacks.  Carter cried when we left.  Just too much fun.  He told my dad yesterday that Riley is his girlfriend, but he also gets all crazy and 3-year-old-flirty when Macy is around.  :)  We got home around 9:00 and all went to bed.  It had been a long, fun day.

Sunday morning: Church and home for breakfast and a short nap for Brynn. 

Sunday 11:00: Back in the car and off to Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge.  We love this place.  This was our third year going there (2010  and 2009) and we just have so much fun.  This year we felt a bit rushed though.  With Brynn still taking two naps, it's hard to drive that far, take-in everything at the orchard, and get back in time for her afternoon nap.  We did the jumping pillow, big slide, tractor train, hay maze, and hay-rack ride.  The hay-rack ride was actually a disaster.  Brynn threw a fit while on it, so we hopped off at the apple orchard.  Unfortuately, we didn't have a bag to put apples in, so we just stood around and waited for another tractor to come by and take us back.  It was HOT and we waited for what seemed like forever.  Brynn was hungry and melting down.  The rest of us were losing our patience.  When we finally got back, we decided to just head home.  So this year we didn't pick a pumpkin, get to see any of the animals, play in the corn pool, or  buy any home-made apple foods.  When we got home and fed the kids quickly, it was nap time for both of them.

Sunday 3:30: Up from naps, appetizer made, and BACK in the car to head to my aunt and uncle's house in Adel. My grandparents had celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last week, so we were doing a little pizza dinner for them. Andy and Julie's family didn't come beause they had been sick earlier that weekend, but I did go there and take a few family photos for them. At least I got to see the girls for a few minutes. Back at Steve and Linda's, my parents, grandparents, Curt and Laura, my aunt Sheri, her husband and granddaughter Maddi were all there. It was fun to see everyone and catch up on their lives. Carter cried when we left there too.  Poor kid...we were constantly breaking his heart.  Brynn showed off her attitude, crying when we didn't let her go up and down the stairs over and over.  We were told that these family gatherings are alot louder when Cary and my family is there.  Huh...wonder why? :)

Sunday night. Home...just the four of us. Baths for the kids and early bedtimes. Cary and I caught up on a little DVR'd TV and hit the hay early yet again. Next weekend looks just as busy with a 30th birthday party, a neighborhood Halloween party, a bachelor party, golf and dinner with some friends. How did my calendar fill up so fast? :) Gotta love it, but I may need a weekend from my weekend.  :)