9 States, 1500 Miles and 3 Days later . . . .

. . . WE ARRIVED IN ALABAMA

My mom, Madison, Isaac, Hannah and I took a road trip to visit my sister Cori and her husband Grayson and 4 kids - Kate, Jack, Mary and Jude. We have been looking forward to this for several months and it was hard to believe we were finally on the way. We had a good trip - definately some long days but the kids were GREAT and it was fun for me to have 3 straight days of visiting with my mom! It was a beautiful drive - we passed through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama. I was suprised at how pretty Missouri and Arkansas were. I didn't realize they would be so green and lush! It is very green and pretty here in Alabama too. Tons of trees - which for me is a big treat! I miss trees :-)

The kids outside our hotel in Omaha, NE (where we stayed on Night 1)

Missouri - wasn't too different from what I am used to yet - farmland. It did get way more trees later further into Missouri.

Our handy dandy GPS (which I am so glad Brock bought for us before we left) led us right to a great coffee shop in St. Joseph, Missouri. They had a coffee roaster in the back with huge bags of coffee (on the floor on the right) MMMMM

Getting close to Kansas City - couldn't resist taking the picture of good 'ol DAVE!!

Kansas City was pretty although we got slightly turned around here and ended up in a not so pretty place! I must say I was a tad concerned that we would really get lost. There were so many one ways and we just wanted to get back on the freeway and couldn't find it. I saw quickly how easily a person can get lost!! We had one exit right after another and didnt stay on the ball I guess :-)

I can't figure out if it was really this steep or if I was holding the camera funny - hmmmm

Arkansas - this isn't even a good picture at all of all the trees but it was hard to take pics while driving :-) We didn't stop as much as I thought we would - once the kids were sleeping or we were on a roll not much stopped us :-) I took lots of pics out the window but not too many of them worked (surprise, surprise)Passing through Little Rock - looked pretty from the freeway :-)

Entering another state - it was so fun to be in a different part of the US :-)


I had to quick grab my camera for this because it was such a picture of what I would expect Louisiana to look like :-)

the kids still happy - we are on the home stretch now :-) Like I said earlier they were amazingly good. They didn't ask "when will we be there" all the time, didn't complain and didn't even fight much :-) Isaac felt sick a few times but never threw up (yeah!!) They got to watch several movies and Madison drew alot of pictures!!

Another great little traveler! She did great also - hardly cried at all except for a bit on our second day coming into Conway, Arkansas (where we stayed the 2nd night) It had been a long day and she wasn't the only one VERY anxious to get to our hotel :-)

Last picture of the drive - I couldn't get the Alabama sign because it was dark by then - oh well.

11 Months Old

Our sweet little girlie is 11 months old!! What a fun 11 months it has been. She is a happy, mellow baby. She adores Brock and lights up whenever she sees him. She also loves to chase around Madison and Isaac.
















She has popped in 2 more top teeth without much trouble so now has 6 teeth. She walks like crazy - all over the place and very confidently. She eats pretty good but still has her favorite food - banana.








She signs more all the time - she thinks it is something you do when you want something. It is cute - whenever she spies something of interest she starts signing more.
She has finally made a habit of sleeping through the night! She weighs 17 lb 13 oz. - still a petite little girl

Awards Night

Madison finished her 2nd year of Awana. We all went to celebrate with her at awards night. She has learned so many verses it is amazing! There was a carnival afterwards and Madison and Isaac had a blast playing games. Even Sparky came to celebrate!

Madison and her friend Alika

Madison finished her 2nd book so received a ribbon

The kids watching the program - it was so cute because they were both so intently watching!

Isaac really liked the balloon sword he got at the carnival

What a treat - a horse for Madison and a dinosaur for Isaac!

Time with family (Part 1)

Brock's grandmother passed away last week so we made an unexpected trip to WI. Although the circumstances that brought us together were sad it was great to see family, most we hadn't seen in quite a while.

We were all thrilled to see Brock's sister Erika and her little boy, Finn. He is 18 days younger than Hannah so it was so cute to see them together.

We had not seen Finn or Erika for almost 9 months so he has changed alot :-)

Funny story about Isaac - on our way to the airport to pick up Erika and Finn Madison was all excited and said, "yeah we get to see Finn!" Isaac quickly chimed in and said "Yeah Yeah I get to see Finn" Brock said "Isaac, who is Finn?" Isaac quickly said, "Finn is . . . " Finn is . . . ." "Mom, who's Finn?" Funny kid!

Finn decided he didn't want to be in this picture :-)

Erika and I and our little cuties!

Isaac really loved holding Finn - Finn doesn't quite know what to think of Isaac :-)

Aren't these kids so cute!!! :-)

Time with family (part 2)

More pictures from the visit! Erika and her dad and Finn.

Hannah and Finn played alot together! It was really cute.

Isaac wanted to take a picture with grandpa - poor grandpa doesn't like to get his picture taken but got stuck with a daughter-in-law that doesn't even give him a choice :-)

Trying to juggle two grand kids at once is tough stuff!

Time with family (Part 3)

Finn and Isaac liked to play together also! Before long they will be running all over the place together

"Hey little cutie! Where are you going - checking to see if your momma is still in the vicinity huh?"

They are both so intrigued with this book. They were so cute because they never fought over toys or anything. They are both so mellow so it was so easy to have them play together. I hope they both stay mellow and laid back with each other!

These pictures really captured the two of them - they were completely content to share and be together.