the park

lake michigan

sorry about the picture overload, too many cute pictures!

{ SMILES }

Last Friday the kids and I decided to venture the 10 hour drive to Iowa to visit some friends. Cannon had been asking for a while to see Ammon and Carter, so before school started and while Steve was away on rotations I figured it would be the perfect time. Our trip started out about 6am with Cannon wondering where in the heck we were going while it was still dark outside. Steve called us before he got to the hospital and told Cannon because he has been such a big help we decided to take him on a trip to see Ammon and Carter. As soon as he heard we were going to Iowa, he was ALL SMILES. He didn't say to much, he just stared out the window with a huge SMILE on his face. The trip went pretty fast. The kids were so good, no problems! We got to Iowa just in time for Ammon to get home from school and that was pretty much the last time I saw Cannon until Sunday morning when we left.

Here are some things we were able to do. (not in chronological order)

Raccoon River

Carter, Cannon & Ammon

Pizza with Megan, Shauni, me and all of the kids

(Cannon, Ammon, Carter, Kaden, Karlee and Austin)

Friday night we got a babysitter while we spent the night on the town.

(Dinner @ Mimi's Cafe and shopping without kids)

Raccoon River

Old stompin ground--Neal Smith Trail--
many mornings along this trail training for the marathon

this time we took the kids for a bike ride since we couldn't go for a run.

Dewey Park for lunch

Abbi and Maddi

first picture I got of Maddi smiling

Karlee, Austin, Cannon, Kaden, Ammon, Beckham, Ashlyn, Oakley, Abbi and Carter

enjoying snacks in the shade

sleepover @ the frost's

notice all of the kids are still smiling without naps, long days, short nights and lots of playin

On Saturday I was also able to visit the Janke's who just had there new baby. He is the cutest little thing. It was fun to chit-chat with them and see there family.

It was so much fun to spend a couple of days in Iowa. I forgot how much fun we used to all have together. The 10 hour drive was worth every minute. I can't wait until November when they get to make the trip to Michigan.

Thanks Shauni, Ammon, Carter and Abbi for all of the fun adventures! We miss you guys!