Jayden's Fall Visit

 

We all look forward to our Jayden visits. With several flight delays due to heavy rains, Jayden got in much later than planned and cut our time at the Pumpkin patch/apple orchard short. Add in Jake being late to the airport to get his sister, we only had an hour and a half before closing. We still made the most of our time and enjoyed apple cider donuts, go karts, the slide, my absolute favorite- the bouncy pillow, and seeing all the many things at the Cambridge Orchard. As the sun went down, it got cold fast and we headed into Ames for dinner. Every restaurant had at least a 45 minute wait, so we put our name in a few places and ended up at Hickory Park. Jayden was exhausted after her full day of travels and still recovering from mono. 

Saturday Jayden spent the day with her brothers and dad in the field. She so graciously covered lunch by grilling some patties and going to to the field. She visited with her Muench grandparents  and took the day to just be around home. 

I went to an Iowa State football game with  my college friend/roommate Heidi. When she had an extra ticket for me, I couldn't resist. I love an ISU football game in great weather. I was back home by 4 and then to Karen and Orrie's for a trick or treat Halloween party with the "littles" of the family. In the past, the Anderlik, Ferrari, and our families kids would go out trick or treating, then meet back at the grandparents for pizza. Now it is a new tradition with the next generation, all the little babies. 6 little trick or treaters, the twins Walker and Hank, Titus the gnome, Lace the baby bat, Everly as Elsa , and the newest member, Eli as Olaf. What fun it was to see all the little babies. I got to hold little Walker for a bit. He is very active and moves around constantly moving his arms and legs. Hank is more chill and still. It sure makes family gatherings interesting and a little crowded. We are busting at the seams at Karen's house. Christmas will be crazy! Big news, Lace who is 8 months of age is going to be a big sister as of next April! So many blessings! God has been so good!

Sunday Mark stayed home to keep the wet corn drying so his bins would be ready for Monday morning harvest. The kids and I went to church, then on to El Azteca, our favorite restaurant. That evening I made two crockpots full of soup, one taco soup, one chicken wild rice. I sliced and diced and cooked while Mark and Jayden rode horses. I also made pumpkin bars and beer bread. Wade's family and the grandparents joined us for an early birthday celebration for Jayden. 

On Monday we had no plan and had a great day. Jayden and I took a walk and ran the dogs in the hay field. Then we went to Ames and had lunch at an Italian restaurant. We went to a few shops and bought some groceries so Jayden could make her favorite stir fry. She has become quite a cook and her favorite is stir fry. There is nothing healthier and yummy than stir fry with lots of veggies and noodles. We invited Jaynie over to eat with us girls and watch a movie. Mark and Luke were in the field until after dark. We also had shopped for supplies and put together Operation Shoeboxes. Tuesday was the last day with Jayden back in Iowa. Mark came to the house for lunch to see Jayden before she left. I came up with a last minute idea to break Luke out of school and take him with to the airport and stop by Jake's apartment in Ankeny. Luke was excited for the surprise. In Ankeny we saw Jake's newest addition, he traded his blue Dodge Ram for a little Dodge Stratus car. The car gets excellent mileage, has a sun roof, big woofer speakers, and some cash and an xbox gaming system went in with the trade. We also toured his room and met all his roommates. We had about an hour, so we went  to a nearby arcade where I put $40 on a card and let the kids have fun. They were all in shock because they know I never like to spend money on arcade games. Best $40 spent to see their faces and let them loose to have fun. We also went next door to a coffee shop and had ice cream and lattes. What a great end to Jayden's time in Iowa. She got to see all her family and extended family and we did so much in a short time. We all soaked in some Jayden  It  is always hard to see her go back knowing she is so far away. We miss her but knowing she is happy, so makes it easier.