Evelyn's first Memorial Day weekend was extra special this year. Not only did she get to meet two of Daddy's best friends, Brian (who came all the way from New Mexico to meet her) and Pat (who came all the way from Colorado, via Creston), she also got a very special visit from her Bama and cousin MK (who came all the way from Oregon) who celebrated her 5th birthday with us a few days early! The weather was beautiful all weekend and we got to do lots of fun things outside, which included daily walks to the park, the girls' first trip to Living History Farms and Evelyn's first dip in her swimming pool!
FRIDAY
At Bama's request, Evelyn got her first taste of carrots over the weekend. As you can see, she wasn't super impressed the first few bites. She quickly hit her stride, though. Since then, we've also tried green beans and she eats both like a champ!SATURDAY
LIVING HISTORY FARMS
Des Moines has an attraction that is very unique to this part of the country - Living History Farms (www.lhf.com). It features the town of Walnut Grove, which is set up as a town would have been circa 1895. There is a farmhouse, a doctor's office, veterinary clinic, school house, general store, cabinet maker, broom maker, black smith shop, etc. It also 3 fully functioning farms to visit - one is a farm as it would have been in the days of the Ioway Indians, one as it would have been with the pioneers and one from the 1900's. Each farm is run using only the tools and methods from that particular era. The staff cook & eat lunch as it would have been done at the time and they also perform all of their daily "chores" as they would have been done at the time. Not only was it fun for this suburbanite, MK also enjoyed learning new things and helping out where she could!
Here, MK pumps water in the farmhouse in Walnut Grove. You can also get a glimpse of MK's 2 french braids! She'd never had her hair braided before and was REALLY patient (for her)!
The schoolhouse was MK's favorite stop of the day. Here she is as the teacher where she was more than happy to have you follow her rules. :)
(Disclaimer: Bama does not approve of the posting of this picture, but it is one of the few I have of her from the entire weekend. Therefore, Bama is SOL.) MK and Bama riding the tractor from Walnut Grove to the farms.
Here, MK poses with Katie at the pioneer farm. Katie had just finished tending the smoke in the smokehouse behind her. You should have seen the bacon in there! Yum-O!
Here, MK helps Katie gather fresh eggs from the hen house - yes, these are real and yes, they were warm. And no, MK didn't drop any!
At the 1900's farm, MK got to check out the work horses.
MK waits patiently to pull on the rope used to hoist bales of hay into the barn (don't worry, she didn't have to do all the work by herself - there were about a dozen other kids helping out, and one jack of a dad, setting a REALLY good example for the kids!)
After a long day in the sun, we took MK to make her own noodles at Hu Hot, a Mongolian grill. She had a great time picking out all of her noodles, meat (sausage, of course) and veggies. She even went through the line an extra time to watch the guys make Bama's noodles! And what meal would be complete without ice cream for dessert? We hit Maggie Moo's afterwards to top it all off.
Chocolate with sprinkles, please!
Sometime between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening, Miss E figured out how to sit up all by herself! Sitting is now her favorite thing to do - I think maybe because it involves some sweet new toys!
This photo of Evelyn and MK was taken right before the video from the last post. These girls just love each other and are going to be great buds.SUNDAY
After I snapped a few pics of Evelyn sitting by herself in the pool, MK decided she wanted in on the action and wanted her picture taken "by myself!" Notice the pink hat just over MK's shoulder. Yeah, that's Evelyn.
Sunday evening, after a fun trip to the park with our neighbor Kristin and her daughter, J, we celebrated MK's "pretend birthday." At her request, we had barbeque'd shish kabobs with chicken, peppers, pineapple and mushrooms, "just like we had in Kauai." We also had birthday cake, chocolate with sprinkles. :)
And for the climax of the visit, Zhu Zhu pets!! Who knew battery-operated hamsters were such a big deal. Uncle Jeff later informed me that I'd secured my spot at the top of the list - I didn't know I'd ever fallen from that spot. :)
As if the previous night's antics weren't enough, after at least 2 pieces of cake, and probably 2 or 3 scoops of ice cream, MK dubbed herself "Captain Underpants!" (Note to self, DO NOT load your child up on cake and ice cream an hour before bedtime!)
MONDAY
Monday morning, MK and I had our special time together "just me and Auntie." We walked up the street and got everyone donuts for breakfast and Bama and Evelyn were NOT allowed! MK is convinced that all the robins in the world live in Iowa - here she points out another one, without losing a step.
While MK was playing next door with C & J in their pool, Evelyn enjoyed another dip in hers. She absolutely loves splashing around in the water and even enjoyed it when we would squirt her with her toys! Yes, for all of you doubters, she is wearing sunscreen - SPF 55!
After I snapped a few pics of Evelyn sitting by herself in the pool, MK decided she wanted in on the action and wanted her picture taken "by myself!" Notice the pink hat just over MK's shoulder. Yeah, that's Evelyn.
Sunday evening, after a fun trip to the park with our neighbor Kristin and her daughter, J, we celebrated MK's "pretend birthday." At her request, we had barbeque'd shish kabobs with chicken, peppers, pineapple and mushrooms, "just like we had in Kauai." We also had birthday cake, chocolate with sprinkles. :)
And for the climax of the visit, Zhu Zhu pets!! Who knew battery-operated hamsters were such a big deal. Uncle Jeff later informed me that I'd secured my spot at the top of the list - I didn't know I'd ever fallen from that spot. :)
As if the previous night's antics weren't enough, after at least 2 pieces of cake, and probably 2 or 3 scoops of ice cream, MK dubbed herself "Captain Underpants!" (Note to self, DO NOT load your child up on cake and ice cream an hour before bedtime!)MONDAY
Monday morning, MK and I had our special time together "just me and Auntie." We walked up the street and got everyone donuts for breakfast and Bama and Evelyn were NOT allowed! MK is convinced that all the robins in the world live in Iowa - here she points out another one, without losing a step.
While MK was playing next door with C & J in their pool, Evelyn enjoyed another dip in hers. She absolutely loves splashing around in the water and even enjoyed it when we would squirt her with her toys! Yes, for all of you doubters, she is wearing sunscreen - SPF 55!We didn't make it to the zoo this time around, but as you can see, there was no shortage of fun at our house. Thank you very much Bama and MK for coming to visit!
