June Trip to Iowa

I've been wanting to tell you about this trip for nearly a month, but Mommy publisher has claimed she's been "tired" and unable to help me out until now. I also heard her say it has something to do with my new brother or sister growing in her belly. All I can say is my sibling better know that I'm still number one in this family!

Anyway, about a month ago, we traveled south to Council Bluffs for our annual Family Fun Festival with Daddy's side of the family. The ride down was long, but I did really well. Mommy was the one who had to stop more than I did. Something again about my sibling. This kid is needy already. Hmph.

Mommy and Daddy bought a twin sized blow up bed for our adventure. Yeah, that expected me to sleep on it...whatever, I don't think so! Cousin Ellen did show me the joys of bouncing on the bed and my vertical has improved immensely since her lesson. Thanks!

It was really hot in Iowa, hotter than we've seen in Minnesota this summer. I hadn't had a chance to enjoy the sprinkler yet at home, so we tried it in Iowa. Not so interested. I kept trying to run away until Auntie Beth was nice enough to chauffeur me through the sprinkler. I decided to be grumpy for the whole experience. I am the
Decider.

The next day we went to a gigantic playground near Lake Manawa (or Manaswamp as Aunties Beth and Brandy so fondly call it). The playground was HUGE and lots of fun! I got hot really fast and Mommy and Daddy were afraid how my blood sugars would react to the sweaty hotness that was this day. I ended up being fine but playing in the hot sun really is not my forte. I am a Minnesota boy at heart, I guess.

Later on we enjoyed running amok in Grandma and Grandpa's house and generally being crazy. I loved being able to run up and down the stairs, in and out of rooms and down the long hallways. It was fun! I also got to stay up waaaaay past my bedtime and got up at the same time in the morning. For some reason I was so very tired by afternoon, don't know why. Mommy didn't mind laying down with me for an afternoon nap. I guess she was using her tiredness excuse again.

The next day we had a blast at the local pool. Last year we were able to get the pool to ourselves for two hours, but this year it was much too popular and we had to share with others. If you remember, last year I abhorred the pool. This year, Mommy and Daddy were sure I would like swimming, what with all my swimming lessons and such. They were scared when I started whining upon seeing the pool (trickery by me, hee hee hee), but I quickly warmed up. I even went down the slide by myself!

After several hours of swimming, we were all hungry and hurried back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for some KFC. I decided not to eat. Ha ha. I'll show them.

After eating (or not eating in my case) we grabbed the sleds and promptly made our way to the steep hill in the backyard. I had so much fun sledding and was heard from miles around laughing and giggling. Mommy and Daddy sure got a kick out of my giddiness and I definitely had fun, I didn't want it the fun to stop!

But, alas, the weekend fun trip was over before we knew it. By the end I was tired and somewhat cranky according to Mommy and Daddy (I may or may not admit to this). Here I am with Grandma and Grandpa and all my cousins.

And finally, my family. I think my cousins and I are the only ones not in need of mental evaluations. Paging Dr. Jekyll...