Fun Weekend

This weekend was very busy. It started earlier this week. Mac got to go to Gona and Baca's and start the Mace family tradition of fire starting. Pyromanic syndrome is embedded in the blood of every Mace, so why not start her young :)

--Mac by the bon fire--

--Gona and Baca with Mac--

On Thursday Adam, Kim and Baby Gavin flew into Des Moines. A change of plans had Josh pick them up in the afternoon and take them to Perry. There they had quite an adventure trying to get a corn wagon out of the ditch. Apparently a mechanical malfunction sent it right off the road. I think Josh secretly had fun solving the dilemma. The Californian's stayed Thursday night at Mace's. Friday we all got together for dinner. We got to see Kim, AJ and Colton, which was a rare treat. They are all so busy these days! Mike and Brigot stopped farming for a few minutes to come and eat, and Grandma and Grandpa Great along with Gona and Baca all came. Emmi and Mark brought Tali, Kade and Nikki were both at birthday parties. Everyone is so busy these days!

--Here is Mac comparing foot size with baby Gavin--

--She isn't too sure about him sitting on her lap--

Saturday we headed to Gona and Baca's to ride four wheelers, jump on the trampoline, and eat lunch. We had a great time! It was also Nikki's birthday, so she got to open presents. Mac and I had to leave early, because with all the fun, she was not about to take a nap at Gona's.

--Nikki's birthday--

Adam, Kim and Gavin came to our house Saturday night. Mac wasn't sure about having a baby around. She kept saying "babee?" Like why is this baby in my house. She got upset a few times when I held him, must have been jealous. She loved his furry little shoes that Kim won on the Ellen show. She was one of the pregnant mom's that got to go to Ellen's show for mother's day. Came home with all sorts of goodies from a front load washer and dryer, to a $600 stroller, to a camcorder, and these crazy wookie booties.

--Mac playing with the crazy booties--

We spent most of the evening eating with Gona and Baca (yes more eating, we are still full.) They left and then we taught Adam and Kim settlers of catan, one of our favorite games. It was great to see them all! And as usual the visit went too quickly. I am sure they are going to be relieved to get home; it is so hard traveling with an infant!

--One more cute one of Mac holding Gavin's hand--

I think Mac will love having a little brother or sister. After we get back from the Mediterranean this summer, maybe we will start to think about that. Sorry mom - no more grand babies for a little while....I am exhausted just from 2 days with 2 of them running around!

Playing Footsie

The pictures aren't the greatest - but Mac and Rylee are best friends. There are some fun pictures of them playing footsie and play fighting with each other. Rylee will seek out any little but of sunshine and try to sleep there. Mac won't have it!

--Trying to sleep in the sunshine--

--Wrestling with puppy and bears--

--Laying on the doggie--

Kellen Wedding

On Saturday Mac and I went to the Des Moines farmers market. I love going there. They close down about 3 city blocks and there is food and music and lots of fresh produce! We stayed about an hour and bought some amazing bread and veggies.

After a nap we started getting ready for Jeremy Kellen's wedding. Jeremy is Josh's friend that he grew up with. We were excited because he was the last of the Kellen clan to get married, and because it gave us an excuse to put Mac in her cute pink butterfly dress that auntie April got her.

--So cute--

--Reading a book--

--As you can see, all these pictures were taken in different rooms, she doesn't sit still for a minute--

After spending the good portion of the morning just trying to get Mac dressed, we headed to Ames. The wedding and reception were both in an old park with HUGE trees. They had a lot of playground equipment and old buildings that made it very rustic and beautiful. Gona was the officiant, and despite some microphone malfunctions did a really great job! Hickory Park catered the event (yummy) and it was just the most beautiful day! The Kellen brothers put together a pretty hilarious tribute video. Very cute wedding, we had a great time!

--To keep Mac quiet during the ceremony, she drank out of this giant water bottle, was quite entertaining--

--The reception building was decorated in a fall theme (should have gotten some closeups)--

--During dinner Mac found a friend (Avery) who played with her on the playground equipment--

--Here they are on a bouncy alligator--

--Daddy is trying to help the girls blow bubbles (Mac mostly ate them)--

--You can see a barn off in the distance, I thought this area was really pretty--

Gangster Mac

I have discovered what Daddy and Mac do all day while Mommy is at work. Josh posted these pictures that he took of Gangster Mac. It looks as if they went to Damons and had an early Halloween party!

--Getting dressed--

--Showin off her beads--

--Sam checkin out the crazy kid--

--Photo op--

Looks like the boys have fun playing dress up :)

Shelly's Shower

Saturday McKenna and I went to Shelly's baby shower. We got her a bumbo - a necessity for any new parent. Allows kids who are 3-7 months to sit up on their own before they are able. She didn't know what it is, but will in a few months :) We also found out that baby boy gentry is doing well, and will probably be born early. Her doctor thinks that at 36 or 37 weeks they will do an amnio and make sure his lungs are good. If so, they will induce and he will be born in 3-4 weeks...crazy!

--Bumbo--

The shower was at her high school friend's house, Michelle. Mostly friends from high school and college came. Some brought their kids, and we all had snacks and cake. Shelly got to open her presents. I spent the majority of the time trying not to let Mac destroy her house :) She has a 16 month old named Madison, and they got along great. Shelly is getting professional belly pictures taken soon, and we can't wait to see how they turn out!

Daddy spent the afternoon taking apart our neighbors swing set. They are moving and said we could have it, so we jumped at the chance! He is going to buy new bolts tonight and reassemble it in our backyard, thanks Gillians!

This weekend we are going to a wedding and will update more on that later!

Amazing Weather

I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather and spend all day outside. With studying, work, and taking care of Mac I hardly have time to just go do something by myself. I went on a 16 mile bike ride that I love. I usually do the same ride each time, along the Des Moines River. I realized that I have never posted pics of the ride, it really is pretty in spring and fall, but even now it was such a great morning!

--Only in Iowa would a paved bike trail take you by a soybean field :)--

--Trail head--

--Pretty view of one of the wildflower fields (prettier in the spring)--

--A beach I found today exploring off trail--

A few nights ago Mac tried on her new jammies from Baca. He bought them in Canada. On the front is a picture of a moose and under it is says "Pajamoose." Very clever. They are a little big, but she looked very cute in them!

--Her favorite surprised expression (hard to capture!)--

--Playing cards with Simon the monkey--

--Riding her zebra--

Checkup

Because we have been so busy with vacations and visits we fell behind on Mac's well baby checkups. She got her 15 month right around 16 months. She weighed in at 21 lbs, 29 inches with an 18" noggin. She is still in the 25th percentile for the first two and 70th for the third....big brains we think!

She received her MMR shot (first one) and her shot for chicken pox....I think it was harder on us than her...but I cried anyway. Here is a video of her playing - watch for the look of surprise, our favorite!

Seattle visitors

This last weekend Chuck and Sam visited from Seattle. They flew into Chicago on Thursday night. We left work and drove there to pick them up. After a very late night, we crashed at a hotel, and woke up to be tourists in Chicago. We went to the Navy pier, had lunch downtown, and went to the top of the Sears Tower. We finished our night with Nathan, Andrea and Kevy at a small restaurant near their house. We also got to see their really cute condo. We went back to the hotel and Josh, Chuck and Sam played a game of Settlers of Catan (one of our favorites) while I crashed.

--Chuck and Sam at Navy Pier--

--Josh and I at Navy Pier--

--Downtown Chicago--

--View from Sears Tower--

--Another view from Sears Tower--

--Sam and I atop Sears Tower--

--Riding the L (elevated train) --

--Playing with metal children--

--Lifting giant orb--

We got up on Saturday, ate breakfast, and headed to Six Flags. We had the best time! We had a flash pass that is basically a little computer you clip to your belt. It allows you to see the wait time for the rides and reserve your place in line. At your designated time you take a secret line right to the front with no waiting! It was awesome! We had small waits at the front because we had to ride in the front of every roller coaster, it was way better that way!

--Chuck's favorite ride, the teacups--

--Outside the gate, waiting to get in--

--Raging Bull, very high, but probably my second fav--

--Sitting by the fountain--

--Chuck and I waiting to get on a water ride that SOAKED us--

My favorite ride, by far, was Superman (duh!) You get strapped in sitting up, then before you start, they lower the floor and turn the car so you are facing the ground. Since the roller coaster is above you, there is nothing between you and the ground. Basically it is as close to flying like superman as you can get in a harness....just amazing!


We went on many other rides as well, Batman, Deja Vu, and Raging Bull. Josh and Sam were brave enough to experience the giant drop. You climbed 200 feet for a few seconds, then paused at the top for what seems like an eternity with your legs dangling. Then you just free fall to the bottom....no thanks!

We stopped to eat dinner at a restaurant called Monkey Dish. If I owned a bar and grill, it would look just like that place. Great food, atmosphere, etc. We started home around 8-9pm and Josh drove the entire 6 hours by himself. We only got mildly lost in southern Chicago. Not the nicest neighborhood to ask directions in, but we survived.

Sunday and Monday were much less hectic. We had breakfast at Gona and Baca's. Mac stayed there while we were gone, and it was good to see her. Right before we left she started wearing some shoes, and Gona made her wear shoes all weekend, so now she is an expert. As long as they aren't too tight, she loves shoes now!

We went shopping at Jordan Creek and ate at the cheesecake factory. We also had dinner at Hickory Park and played many games of Settlers.

Overall a very fun weekend! Hard to get back into the swing of things with work and school!