Catching up...

This picture almost captures the hilarity of Gaby's reaction to her singing gift bag. On the front it says, "I'm wild...," and inside "...about you!" And it plays the song Wild Thing when you open it up. She thought it was the funniest thing ever. My cousin Kris snapped this picture and caught some of the pure delight that being 4 can be.









My friend/pseudo-cousin-in-law Tammy, invited us over for a BBQ Saturday night, which was Gaby's birthday. I was just going to be arriving back in town from an 880 mile roadtrip with 5 teenage girls. The road trip was to Missouri to visit church history sites. We left Thursday morning at 6:30 and returned home around 4:30pm Saturday, and I think I might have had 8 or so hours of sleep total for the trip. On Saturday we stopped for lunch and the thought of having to get back in the car for vacation at the end of the week almost made me cry. But now I've gotten some sleep and we are super excited for the roadtrip and reunion fun that's just days away!


Abigail, Cathy, Eliza, Ashley and Kristina - my roadtrip buddies

We did a service project that involved cleaning up local parks in Independence, MO. Every wore matching shirts, so it kinda looked like a prison work release program. In the trash can behind Eliza, I found a severely dehydrated little raccoon. It scared the crap out of me. After several calls, we were assured that the Parks Dept would rescue Jesse. Of course the girls had to name him/her, which is why they chose Jesse, very gender neutral. We would hate to have him/her be dehydrated AND in the midst of a gender identity crisis.


Jesse










Yesterday Gaby had her birthday party. I opted for easy, so we went to a local splash pad and the kids entertained themselves in the water. Owen spent his time picking up non-poisonous (hopefully) berries and trying to eat them. Well, at least until he discovered watermelon. I think he ate at least 10 pieces, and a few those included the rind. Blech! It was a PINKALICIOUS party, so everything was perfectly pink. I was mad that most of the pink candy I wanted to buy was not wrapped in pink wrappers, but I don't think the kids cared.

Gaby and some of the pink party goers.

Owen and his pink cupcake, his face and belly are covered with watermelon juice, and he's stylin' a sweet mohawk.

So, my crazy pre-reunion week continues with Jerry leaving for St Louis today. He returns hours prior to our departure. We're spending Friday night in Winterset, IA with my cousin Chris and his family. Saturday morning Jerry and my cousin Bob are doing the Whaletown Triathlon in Anita, IA. Then we're heading to Greeley, CO for the night.

Gaby asks me every day, "Is today the day that we get to go to the hotel?"

No, Gaby. We're going to the hotel on Saturday.

"Why are we staying in a hotel?"

Because we're going to the reunion in Colorado.

"Why are we going to Colordao?"

Because everyone else is going to be there.

"Is Nana going to be there?"

No, Nana is going to be in Iowa, but Grandma and Cameron will be in Colorado.

And this usually continues for quite some time. I'm sure all the other four year old cousins are the same.

Anyway, I have plenty to do, so I shouldn't be blogging. Happy packing everyone and safe travels. See you all (Kilgores) soon!