Over the river and through the woods....

Nathan did a great job on his first cross country drive.
17 hours one way in the car to Iowa to visit Grandma & Grandpa.

We left on a Friday and night drove about 6 hours and stayed in Norman, OK.
Then we got up and headed to Springfield, MO to have lunch
with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Sue
(One set of Patrick's Maternal Grandparents)

We had a nice lunch at Cracker Barrel!

Of course Grandma Sue was as entertaining as always.
She cracks us up!

Grandpa Dave has suffered from strokes for about 10 years,
but he knows and misses his grandson.

Grandpa Dave is not able to tell us all that is on his mind,
but his smile says it all! Don't they look just alike! Those are
some strong genes, Grandpa Dave!

So we left Springfield and headed up through Missouri to get to Iowa.
Missouri looks so much like the North Western part of Cortez, CO (my hometown).
Sunday we went up to the quadcity area of Illinois where Patrick's dad's sister, Aunt Connie and Uncle Kevin live.

Below is Patrick's older brother, Bill, holding Nathan
at Aunt Connie's house.

Having fun in the backyard. A very nice day!

Patrick's 97, almost 98, year old Grandfather! (Paternal Grandfather)
Patrick's Grandmother passed in 2005 and the kids & I sadly never got to meet her.

A nice photo of Patrick's mom, Brenda, with little Nathan.

Great Aunt Barb and Great Uncle Eddie with Aunt Connie and Grandpa.
Aunt Barb is the sister of Patrick's Paternal Grandmother.

Any time my kids are eating food, it's photo worthy because it rarely happens!

Shannon, Kayda, Kristin, and Lauryn
Kayda is Patrick's cousin's daughter.

Aunt Connie stealin' the baby :)

Patrick with our kids and Grandpa

Patrick and his Grandpa with all the great grandkids
Don't you think Kayda looks a lot like Lauryn?

Sweet pic of Patrick and Nathan smiling with Grandpa Earl in the background.

Unbelievable pic... Grandpa really will be 98 in July!!

Saying goodbye to Grandpa!

Very sweet.

Kayda and Kristin are exactly 2 months apart!

You'd think they are 1st cousins and not 3rd.

Monday Patrick's mom and step dad had a picnic for us and invited
their families. They have a beautiful backyard. We saw deer and caught fireflies.
Below is Grandma Buck (Patrick's Maternal Grandmother) with Patrick and all our kids.

Grandma Buck loving on the baby.

What a nice time we had with all the grandparents!! It's unbelievable that all but one of Patrick's grandparents are still living! What a blessing for us and our kids.