Spring in Iowa

This past week, the kids and I stayed at my mom and dad's  in Iowa while Jeritt traveled for work. We hadn't been there since November, so it was great to spend time with my grandparents, as well as cousins, aunts, and even Uncle Sam and Brooke, who came to visit for a few days. Spring may have technically arrived, but we didn't see much of it. However, there was one nice day when we spent time outside, and Jack discovered his love of mud puddles. Just like his sister, he's not afraid to get dirty!

Yes, that's a mud mustache. I guess it tastes better than sand.

Helping Papa clean the deck.

Ooh, a mud puddle!

Ella riding my old tricycle. 

Great Grandpa P. reading to Ella.

Now it's Great Grandma P's turn.

Doing puzzles with Grandma C.

Reading books with Papa.

Jack finally got a haircut.

Doing puzzles with Great Grandma P.

Second cousins! My cousin, Jonna, came to visit with her kids - Blake, Briella, and Brecklyn, and my Aunt Joan.

Ella the dragon with Brecklyn.

Juggling with Uncle Sam.

Ella and my Aunt Patti.

Great Grandpa and Grandma C.

Great Grandma C. and Ella.

Playing Great Grandma's harmonica.

A sleepy Jack with Brooke.

Decorating (and eating) cookies.

Enjoying a tea party.

And this is Iowa spring. We were greeted with more than 3 inches the morning we left to come home.

New Words

In the past week, Jack's vocabulary has taken off. In addition to "Mama," he's also saying "car" and "ball," and seems quite pleased with himself. I'll try to get a video of it soon. We had a pretty quiet week, so there isn't much to report and as you can see below, we spent a lot of time at home!

Playing waitress. 

Ella always put Moo Cow in the stroller, and now Jack takes Brownie for a ride.

Playing kitchen with Aunt Erin.

Time for a break.

Ella jumping with her friend, Jonah, who came over to play.

Kansas and Iowa!

It was a travel filled weekend for the Bushaw household. Liz and Jack traveled to visit Liz's friend, Allison and her family, in Kansas, while Ella and I traveled to Edgewood for Grandpa Al's 60th birthday party.
Ella and I had a jam packed weekend.  On Friday, Ella visited Ava's school and had lunch and recess with Ava. That night, Ava, Reid, and Ella went to the Ed-Co carnival. On Saturday morning, Ava, Reid, and Ella went to the dairy farm where Uncle Danny and Grandpa Rich showed them the baby calves. Then, they went to Grandma Neema's house to ride in the tractor and play on the hay bails. Saturday night ended with Grandpa Al's surprise 60th birthday party. Ella was of course a fan of the cake. A special thanks to Aunts Annette and Jane for keeping Ella from devouring the cake.  

Ella was very excited to visit Ava at school on Friday.  She packed her own lunch. 

Having lunch with Ava!

Ella's attention quickly shifted to her cookie. 

Recess with Ava. 

Ella and Grandpa Al putting together the first of many puzzles. 

Meeting the baby cows with Grandpa Rich and Uncle Danny. 

Ella loved feeding the cows. 

This calf was literally born about 30 minutes before this picture. 

Ella and Ava decided to be cows. 

"Cow" feeding time. 

Playing on the round bails.  

Tractor rides. 

Cake walk at the carnival.  Given the cake prizes, it should be no shock that Ella was the lucky winner. 

It is amazing how quickly they can take their shoes and socks off.   If I was only able to get a picture when they found the mud puddle.  It was impressive. 

Meanwhile in Kansas... Jack relaxing on Rusty the dog's bed.

 Everett was such a good buddy to Jack.

Jack loved Everett's car - spending a lot of time getting in and out.

I loved snuggling Ben!

Baby Ben.

Best friends for nearly 25 years!