Our Iowa trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house

We just got back from a two week trip to Iowa. (Jonathan joined us for one week.) We had a wonderful time hanging out with family. Benjamin loved all of the attention! It started and ended a little rough--Benjamin had hand, foot, and mouth disease as we left CT, and I had Lyme's disease as we left IA. Despite that, we had a good time. Here are some shots from the trip. (I didn't get any shots with Grandpa--Benjamin loved helping him with yard work, including his favorite--mowing. They were "buddies"--another new word Benjamin learned.)

Family shot--Happy Fourth of July!

Places everyone! (Cousin Andy's idea of humor--ha ha.)


Here's Benjamin entertaining his adoring fans! You'll note the bucket of water--endless hours of fun!

Every morning Benjamin helped Grandma water the flowers. "Wa wa!"

Getting braver in the water. He was sticking his whole face in the water and drinking it.

Aunt Rachel taught me how to sniff and smell things. He we are smelling the flowers. She also taught me how to say, "P.U." although it sounds a bit more like, "B.O."

"This is the way the gentleman rides." Another fun game Aunt Rachel played with me. She is sooo entertaining!


Playing the piano with Great-Grandma


Taking a drink break with Uncle Jonathan


Rocking in Mom's old rocker--I could get in and out, and rock all by myself.


Pulling the little people school bus--I learned how to pull it all around the house.


Mmmmm! My first ice cream cone!


Delicious!


We also got to see John and Sarah (friends from college) and their girls for an evening. Here are Naomi and Benjamin.

I couldn't get a very good shot of Hannah, but here she is trying to give Benjamin a kiss.