beautiful iowa, part 1

we just returned from iowa, where we spent precious time with family, 

and helped kevin's grampa celebrate his 95th year of life. 

it was a great trip, a whirlwind, 

and pretty much perfect in every way.
well, there were a few hiccups, but that's just life.

i've made many trips to iowa since meeting kevin, 

and i definitely feel like part of my heart resides there.

unfortunately, fairly last minute, kevin couldn't go, 

and i debated back and forth in my mind a hundred times if i should just take boyd,

and i'm so glad that we made the trip.

boyd may not understand it fully right now, 

but i knew the significance of him being there to celebrate his great-grampa turning 95.

i loved seeing all the family that we have dearly missed, 

and visiting some of the places that have become our favorites up there.

we stayed at uncle larry and aunt dianne's farm, and we felt right at home.

thank you for having us.

more sweet memories for our hearts.

boyd and i set out for the long 750 mile drive last saturday,

and about 40 minutes along, boyd said, are we getting close?

i knew it was going to be a really long day.

it turned out to be a great drive though.

we finally crossed into Iowa and made a quick stop in the town of lamoni.

i was so relieved to see iowa, that i might have shed a tear or two.

 as we drove through the town of Albia, 

we saw this field, honoring fallen soldiers.

i had to pull over.

we made it out to the farm in ottumwa,

boyd was so happy to play with some of his 2nd cousins,

and a delicious bbq was waiting for us. 

uncle larry picked some rhubarb for aunt terry.

i never really knew about rhubarb until i met kevin.

it's an interesting thing, and kevin loves a good strawberry rhubarb pie.

 the next day we gathered for lunch in town with lots of family.

this was an early birthday celebration for grampa.

boyd with his great grandparents, 

and grandma and grampa patrick with their 5 grown children.

after lunch we had ice cream at graham's downtown.

it's the cutest place, and it was definitely on my list of things to do this trip.

we made a quick stop at hyvee grocery store, 

where i picked up some of the best {iowa} potato chips in the world, to bring home,

and some local wine to enjoy there.

 then we ended the night with some pool at cousin josh's house, in the basement.

basements fascinate me, because we don't have them in texas.

that's so random, but it's true.

 that wraps up our first couple of days in iowa.

be back with more soon.

love,

nicolle