Vacation: Day 3

The continuing story of the Sass/Foels/Davis/Baade Family Reunion . . . .

Monday was Zoo day!  It was another warm (right around 100 degrees again) in Des Moines day but heat doesn't seem to bother the kiddos and they wanted to see the Zoo.  When we found the camels they all wanted to ride.  First up was Jer and Jackson.  They became the best of friends over the weekend.  They didn't even hesitate in climbing on the camel and away they went!!!  More to follow. 

I am fascinated with giraffe.  I don't really know why but was real glad that Blank Park Zoo has some.  This is one of the babies.  Aren't they adorable??? 

 We saw part of the sea lion show and the then found the underground passage where you could watch them swim and play.  Jer found a baby seal willing to play with him and Jackson.  The baby followed the piece of grass that Jer moved around on the glass.

 Told you everybody got a ride.  This was Barb and Charlotte's turn.  The only one of the little ones that didn't ride the camel was Oliver . . . and he was sleeping.

 Everybody rode the train that day too.  Here's Barb and Charlotte ready to go!!!

Beth and Jackson were ready to ride!!!

We're back in the Children's Zoo and the brothers are checking out the goats.  This is one of Charlotte's favorite places to go.  She loves feeding the goats.

 Charlotte was more than happy to show Tristan and Karsten how to feed the goats.  Barb bought goat and fish food for all.  And they all had a great time feeding the animals.

Charlotte found a little goat to feed.  

Tristan and Karsten are ready to ride, or at least Tristan is!  All the little ones (and a couple of bigger ones) got ride, except Oliver . . . he took a nap.

 Getting ready to feed the fish.  This is the windup pitch!!!

We went through the Discovery Center at the Zoo and Tristan got the best seat in the house.  He didn't stay in it long but he's enjoying it here! 

 Barbie with her favorite little person -- Oliver.  Getting ready to board the train.

Charlotte and Barb are ready to go!!  Hang on there Charlotte! 

 Jer and Jackson say 'hey'!!!!

 Saddle up!!!

Ready to feed the fishes!!! 

Up close and personal!!

Let's get this train on the rails and ride!!!!

We were checking out the 'big' cats at the Zoo when the boys found this truck.  They all wanted to drive (of course).  Tristan must have won this round cuz he's heading for the steering wheel!

Tristan feeding a goat!  Doesn't that look like fun??

Jackson's turn at the wheel.  Notice Tristan is leaving the truck!!!

 Jer's waving good-bye to Grandpa!!

We watched a short show with the sea lions and then headed underground to play with the baby seals.  Jer had one following the stick that he had in his hand.  Cool!

 The new 'kid' in the zoo.  Think his name is Jackson!!!

 It was a very hot day and after eating hot dogs and french fries, the boys decided they needed a treat!  Push-up for Jackson and a big blue drink for Jer.

Jackson's turn to feed a goat.  I have yet to figure out how the goat gets his head back into the cage, but they must, cuz I didn't see any just hanging there!!!

 I really was there and this proves it.  My sister and I on the train!

Sandie and Jer feeding the giraffe!  Aren't they cool???

 

As usual there's no reason to my pictures, but just the way I download them.  It was a fun day at the Zoo.  We left around noon, did a little shopping and then headed back to the hotel and the pool.  Beth, Karsten, Jackson and Tristan joined Mandy for a photo shoot!  They were pleased when they joined us at the pool.  Can't wait to see the pictures. 

More later . . . .

It's Monday

Well it's Monday again.  Time to get back to work!  I still haven't finished putting all my pictures on the blog.  I did start another blog, but it doesn't look very nice, so will continue with this one for now.  I do have the pictures all picked out for this but just haven't taken the time to do it.

It's one of those days.  I really am beginning to believe that my computer at work just absolutely hates me!  We lost our Internet on Friday, it's back today.  I'm working on our employee newsletter and having a terrible time getting pictures put into my text.  I just keep plugging away, but it gets so frustrating when it doesn't work the way I think it should. 

I've finally gotten back to scrapping again.  I have all those beautiful pictures from vacation to do.  I'm up to the Zoo in the book I'm doing for Beth.  She gets the first one.  It was her idea to go to Des Moines and get the families together.  It was a great idea!  It was nice having everyone together.  We missed Nick and maybe another time all of us can be together and take pictures of families!!!!  I so wanted a picture of my sister, brother and myself, but we never got around to those kind of pictures.

Scrapping is my out from the world.  July was a very emotional month for me and the rest of my family.  When Jim called and said they had lost the babies, I truly wasn't sure how to react.  Lots of tears, lots of time of reflection.  I so wanted to be a grandmother of twins!!!  God works in mysterious ways and I know in my heart that this was his plan, but it's kinda hard to take sometimes God.  I haven't spoken to my kids since all this happened.  They have pretty much kept to themselves.  They've been doing things with their children and sharing some pictures with us all.  I appreciate that very much. 

I can still remember when Jer was killed in an accident.  I spent some time with my brother.  We didn't talk much (hardly at all) but it was just a comfort to be with him during that time.  Lots of tears at that time too.  Life goes on, even though sometimes we wonder why.

I so want to spend some time with Jim & Mandy and family, but guess now isn't the time.  I'm in Des Moines later this week for a meeting.  Jim's birthday is soon, so will leave something for him and the kiddos at Barb's place.  I'm seriously thinking of staying over Thursday night, doing some shopping in Ankeny (my favorite scrapbook store is there) and then head home on Friday afternoon.  It will on depend on what's happening at work and just how I feel about everything.  I finally have gotten back on all my meds (hope that helps).  

Well I best get back at doing something or another.  Will get pictures up soon.  That's what makes a blog so cool . . . pictures.

Vacation - Day 2

Sunday, June 15.  Oliver's baptismal day.  Barb's house wasn't too bad as far as heat was concerned.  We had all the windows open overnight and got up early enough to shower and dress before it got too hot.  Services were at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.  Hope is a beautiful church.  I very much enjoy going to services there. 

The rest of the family was at the hotel and enjoyed some water time in the morning.  Barb and I went to the baptism and had dinner at the Pizza Ranch with Jim, Mandy and family.  The Sass Family and the Foels Family headed to the Science Center downtown Des Moines.  They had a great time.  Beth has some cool pictures on her blog of what the boys all did.

We got a call from Mark right after church saying they should be in Des Moines around 3:00 p.m.  Just as we were leaving the Pizza Ranch got another call from them and they were at the hotel.  They needed Barb with getting checked in so we headed for the hotel.  Got Mark & Sandie checked in and Barb left to go back to her place to pick up our luggage so we could check in.  Mark called Josh and Keely and they headed over to the hotel to enjoy the pool also!!! 

Barb and I had pizza for lunch and also for supper.  It was the easiest to order for the whole bunch of us.  No one really minded, we all love pizza.  We were so glad that Mandy and Jim were able to join us.  I think they relaxed a little bit after Oliver's big day. 

Jer decided to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Baade so was with us the majority of the rest of the weekend.  Jer and Jackson became the best of friends.  It was so cool that the cousins all got to know one another.  We're already talking about doing this again next year!!!

Oliver & his Daddy  just before baptism.  Love the cap!

The Jim Davis Family. 

I just like this picture.  Charlotte loves her baby brother! 

 Getting ready for the pool.

Jackson is ready for action!!! 

The Foels Family.  Pool night with the gang. 

Grandma even got into the pool and had some fun! 

 Jer and Jackson had a great time together in the water.

Josh and Griffin enjoying the pool. 

Karsten and Jackson coming down the BIG slide! 

Tristan coming down the slide out of the priate ship!!  Daddy helped! 

SPLASH!!!! 

Tristan loves the water!!! 

It's time to eat!  And we did a good job of it!!!  

After we were finished eating those of us that weren't in our

swimming suits changed and had a great time! 

The Foels family and Sass family spent the morning in the pool and the afternoon at the Science Center, downtown Des Moines.  They had a great time at both places! 

We talked Jim and Mandy and kids into joining us Sunday evening at the pool.  We all had a great time and it was a great place to cool off!  It was one hot weekend that we chose to take vacation together.  After going through my pictures (and everybody elses) I realized that I didn't take any of Barbie, Glee or Ron.  Believe me they were all there.  Couldn't have been at the hotel without Barb's discounts!!  Or at least they sure helped with the costs!!!  

Onto Day 3 . . . . .   



Vacation Day #1.5 (Saturday Night)

Beth beat me to putting all her pictures on her blog, but I'm old and a lot slower!!!  But here goes.  Day #1.5.  On Saturday night Barb and I (mostly Barb) planned a BBQ at her home in Ankeny.  The majority of the family was there, and of course, Barb's air conditioner gave up!  She wasn't a real happy camper, but our BBQ still worked out very well.  The kids had a great time together outdoors playing with bubble guns and balls.  Barb's service company also got a call from her regarding her air problem.  Actually we opened the windows and it wasn't too bad overnight.  And we were booked into the same hotel as the rest of the family for the rest of my time in the Des Moines area. 

 Charlotte and Jackson playing with the bubble guns and the 'big' blue ball.

When you play with bubbles and a ball, the ball gets a little sticky with bubbles!  Jackson and Charlotte worked hard to get the ball all clean and ready to go again! 

They went from a big ball to a little ball!  They sure played well together.  This was the first time for all of them being together to get to know one another. 

 Here's Oliver . . . that's my little honey bee.  Isn't he the cutest???!!

Oliver got into the act with bubbles too.  Mom and son out on the front porch! 

I love this picture of Ollie and Tristan.  They never met before but they sure got along okay. 

Where'd that one come from?  Must be the blogger . . . she gets confused sometimes.  It's Sandie and Oliver on Sunday night at the pool!!! 

Mandy and her little man!  He's so cute. 

The children.  That ball is almost bigger than the 3 of them, but they had fun with it!!

We had a great supper at Barb's.  Sweet corn!!  One of my favorite foods.  Check out Beth's blog (Foels Facts) and see how Tristan eats sweet corn!!! Glee amd Ron brought Edgewood locker brats and, as usual, they were delicious!!  Glee, Ron, Mike, Bets, Karsten, Jackson & Tristan got to meet Oliver for the first time.  They all got along great.  For me it was so much fun watching the little ones play together.  This is the beginning of a great vacation!!!