Iowa, Harvest 2016, Berlinas and a Baptism! ... all in one trip!

As I have said before - I LOVE the fall and this year was no different!  Me and the kiddos took our annual trip to Iowa in October.  We missed having Ronnie there - but it's one of his busiest times of the year and almost impossible for him to join us.  Hopefully one day he can go with us!

Also, this year we had some special guests come with us -- "The Berlinas"!  The Berlinas are Raquel Molina, Hernando Bernal and Raquel's teenage kids Aliyah and Brandon.  Back in April I said "you guys should come visit sometime"  and Raquel's very quick response was "well, we've been waiting for an invitation!"  So-- from there we considered it done!

Me, Drew and Reese flew up on Thursday and stayed the nigth at the Webers.  This picture from the airport CRACKS ME UP.  Drew is running around at full speed and Reese is the background trying to hug and kiss a little stranger boy.  WHAT AM I TO DO????!!!!!

My little travelers!

Miss "I don't sit still ever" on the plane!

We took a pit stop at a fun little pumpkin patch on the way from the airport to the Webers.  Reese was really confused with these scarecrows!

The next day we packed back up and headed south to Iowa to meet up with Grandma Lori, the rest of the cousins and the Berlinas!

Lovin' her Ugg boots (aka ' Toos")

When 2 three year olds tell you they have to go pee-pee and your on a county road in southern Minnesota, what do you do?  YOU STOP AND LET THEM PEE IN THE DITCH!

Drew had a slight obsession with riding the John Deere tricyles!  Had to pull him off of them....

Fireside chats with Titi at Grandma Lori's house

Titi Raquel brought a fun surprise for the little boys -- GINORMOUS BUBBLES!

Grabbing a few pizzas from the Backdraft in Holstein!

Reese LOVED Becky.  This just melted my heart!!!!

Bri kidnapped Drew on Friday night and took him out to the farm for some late night farming!

Framers never stop working.   They were are in the field until after 11pm.

This corn goes on to be used in so many of the foods we eat every day.  Tortilla chips, salad dressing, cereal, chocolate, the list goes on and on.   Wish more people would get educated and understand what farmers do, what GMOs really are and the true economics of the food industry. The work these farmers do feeds us and the world at a price we can all afford, and the margins they make are nominal and the work is endless and selfless. 

One of Ben's cows.  They walk in each morning for breakfast.

Snuggles with Becky at Great Grandma Butchers!  Reese wanted to feed her and Drew wanted to hold her.  So much love happening here!

Love these moments.  Great Grandma watching and enjoying each moment.

This girl.

Ben and Bri's place and a yard a remember so well from my childhood.  I am pretty sure when I was barely older than Drew I drove Rah-Rah's car down this hill!

Breathtaking views of the fields and peace that Iowa brings. 

My only pic of baby Charlie!  Sorry buddy! But you're in good hands with Aliyah the baby wisperer!

Love this crew and so happy they were interested in visiting rural Iowa to learn more about the hearland and see it firsthand!  Not exactly a vacation hot-spot, but true and amazing friends that care and love us  like family!

Sunset.

Look at Reese sitting there with the big boys!  I swear she is 15 mo. going on 3 years.

We were also so furtunate to be home the weekend of Baby Becky's Baptism!  Such a special day with everyone!

A trip isn't complete until we get the Grandma Lori couch picture!

That evening we were off to Ames to stay at dad's appartment.  Of course pit-stop on campus to show Brandon and Ali what it's like at ISU!  And they loved it... in fact I think if they had a men's soccer team we could get Brandon up there!

Beardshear Hall in the background - look at this little Cyclone!

New cyclone fans!

Amazing trip.  Way too fast.  But have to say I was exhausted when we returned -- I think I slept 10 hours the night after we got back and the kids slept 13!