Johnny & Josh's Visit for the BIG Game

Johnny & Josh flew home from Scotsdale for the Iowa/Iowa State game this year.  We only get to see them a few times a year, so we make it a big event when they visit.  This visit fell on the weekend of the big game.  So off to Kinnick we went!

We also celebrated Kate & Will's bday the night before the game.   This was a great year for the kids because Johnny & Josh gave them an IPad for their birthday!  Oh were they excited!

Kate is pretty slick on the Ipad because they use them a lot in her 1st grade classroom.  In fact, I have to admit, she is much more computer savvy than I am!  

We left to tailgate Saturday morning.  My dad sported his awesome Hawkeye shorts for the game.

My mom made a ton of food of course for everyone to munch on before & after the game.  We had a blast, even though the Hawkeyes lost.   There is just something about the atmosphere in Iowa City, walking down Melrose Ave, and the great stadium fans that makes it a blast every time we go!

The next morning was our last family day before Johnny & Josh had to fly back to Arizona.  We spent a lot of time at the West End Park.  Johnny, Josh and I  played on this merry-go-round when we were little, and now Kate and Will love it too!  I still can't believe they didn't throw up after the ride.

The kids love throwing rocks in the pond.

On this visit, there was a turtle that Will found right away. Will was bound and determined that he was going to catch that turtle. Too bad it was a ways out into the pond, sitting on a log in the water.  Will didn't  understand why we wouldn't let him go into the water to get it.  We're just mean parents I guess.

There are lots of big rocks that the kids love to "hike" on as they say.  They said they were mountain climbers as they went up and down the bank.

Swinging with Uncle Johnny.

Will would swing ALL....DAY.....LONG!

We took a picnic lunch uptown and played some more....

and climbed some more.....

and sat around and chatted some more.

Finally,  there was a "family tree" in my parents' front yard that was pretty special to us.  My brothers and I had every 1st day of school picture taken in front of that tree.  Well, a month or so ago, a big storm came through and took the tree down.  My Mom shed A LOT of tears because of the memories behind that tree.  Mom and Dad cleaned up most of the damage, but left the stump because they wanted 1  more picture of us by it.  So here we are!  You can't really see the stump under all the hostas, but it's there.   I  know all of us were sad to see that tree go.  
Once again, we had a great time with Johnny & Josh.  We laugh and giggle so much together that we cry and occasionally pee our pants!  We wish we could see them more often because we love them so much! 
Until next time!

Kate's 6th Birthday Party

Kate was really sad that she had to go to school on her birthday this year.  She would like every one of her birthdays to fall on a weekend or "no school" day.  To make her day as special as possible, Brett & I snuck into her room the night before and decorated it floor to ceiling.  She didn't wake up at all during the process and was SHOCKED & EXCITED when she woke up on her big day!

Kate opened up all her presents from Will, Brett and I as soon as she got home from school.  Will picked out a beautiful, rainbow colored heart shaped necklace that he couldn't wait to give her!  It was so cute!  I hope he loves her this much 10 yrs from now when she turns 16!  She also got many cute outfits for her American Girl doll.

Of course, she picked Mexican for her birthday dinner.  She loves cheese dip and chips!  The special bday dessert was a nice treat as well.

 

She was so excited to get pajamas that matched "Anja" her American Girl doll.

On the following Saturday she had her party at Build a Bear Workshop with some of her girlfriends.....and Will.  Will was so pumped to hang out with the BIG girls, and Kate is such an awesome sister to let her kid brother tag along.

4 of the 5 girls picked to do the "Shake it Up" blue bunny.  Most of them picked a black, shiny, frilly outfit with black high heels.    Will picked the Finding Nemo Bear with a Captain America costume and Spiderman slippers...... definitely UNIQUE.

Getting the bunnies and bears dressed and ready to go.

The final product!  They all turned out awesome.

We finished up with Krispy Kreme donuts and fruit.

A Yummy end to a great party!  They all had a great time together.  I still can't believe my baby girl is 6 years old!  Now she has to hold up both hands to show me how old she is!  Her personality and talents are growing so much.  I couldn't be more proud of our little "Katers."