A Trip Back Home

We went up North this weekend to help celebrate Papa Mike's 60th Birthday!!  What a fun weekend!  We did a lot of driving around to see family with our first stop being Alden to drop Kade off.  He got to spend some time with cousin Levi and had a great time.  We hung out at Mom and Mike's for awhile, ate lunch, and then headed into town to visit Great Grandpa Dougan and Grandma Renae.  They were both very excited to see our "little package" as Grandpa likes to call Alexandria.  By this time, Alexandria was getting pretty worn out, so we decided to take a round about way to the farm to put her to sleep and to see Brandon and Jess.  We got to see the kitchen updates that they have made, which look wonderful!  Our last stop was Grandpa and Grandma Winter's house to drop off Alexandria.  They braved keeping all 3 grandkids overnight while us adults helped Papa Mike celebrate his birthday!  They seemed to have everything under control when we left so I wasn't worried, but daddy had to remind Grandma Brenda that he would have his phone on vibrate if they needed anything.  :)  From what I hear, all went well and all 3 kiddos slept through the night.  Good job and Thanks!!!  This was our first night away from Alexandria...both mommy and daddy did ok, but I think it will be awhile before we do it again...I just miss seeing her right when she wakes up because she always has such a huge smile on her face. :) 

The party was so much fun!  Tons of family and friends were there, some of which we hadn't seen for quite some time.  My Aunt Patty even made it back...to stay!  Yes, she is back for good and is now living in Davenport.  She will continue her career as a 911 Dispatcher.  We are so glad to have her closer to all the family!  At one point in the evening, Brandon, Brad, Heath and Chad (Jess's brother) left to check cows.  It is calving season, so Brandon has to check cows about every 3 hours.  It was pretty funny because I received a text from Heath that said "We got one going and I'm having flashbacks"!  Too funny!  It was this cow's first time having a baby, so all the guys went to the house and had a drink and by the time they were done she had had her baby.  Heath was SO upset that he missed the birth.  According to the guys, it was quite a comical experience!  There were lots of laughs the whole night...thanks for such a great party Mom and Mike!!!

GIRLS

I love my Aunt Stephanie and her pretties.

This is serious.

Great Grandpa just told me I was his special little package.

Alexandria loved Grandma's shirt. Any guesses why?

I love my new Grandpa Winter high chair.

Al loves to be read to and loves to touch everything.

A little love from my cuz.

The birthday boy and his backstreet boys trying out for American Idol.  Happy Birthday Mike!!

Mike with his favorite gift.

Sisters and soon to be sister-in-law.

The Ol'  Winter crew back together.