Rest stops along the way

Here are a few pictures from some of the rest stops we visited. For 2 of the 3 days we traveled (both up north and then back south), we had our lunches made and ate them at rest stops.

This is in New Mexico, on our way up north:

Here we are in Iowa, on our way home:

Our family in front of our transportation:
I couldn't help taking this picture. I feel as though Eva is thinking, "You want me to use this"? ; )
This rest stop in Kansas was VERY windy, so we had to use the vehicle as a wind block.

At Abby and Emma's

Eva and Sophia loved playing with their cousins, Abby and Emma. Here are some pictures of them all together.

Watching a movie together...

Oldest on top down to youngest... (Abby, Emma, Eva, Sophia)

More at the farm...

This tricycle has been out at the farm since Daddy and Auntie Gwen used to ride it out there. We knew we were bringing this home (the main reason for driving vs flying).

Eva had fun on Shane's old John Deere tractor... we brought that home too.

Cuddling with Grandpa...

Eva found something so neat - cattails! We even brought 2 back to Arizona : )

Sophia on the hay rake:

Eva on it too:

Out for a ride!

Our first day at the farm was really nice which made for a very enjoyable time. The girls had so much fun!

Grandpa Gerry took out the tractor and rigged up 2 chairs and a bench in the trailer so that we could go for a ride. Grandpa rode a 4 wheeler.

We stopped by a very large, very old oak tree.

I took my turn on the 4 wheeler and snapped this picture as they were driving through the CRP land of the farm. Doesn't it look so peaceful?

Eva would ride behind me on the 4 wheeler, but for the picture we added Sophia : ) The girls thought the 4 wheelers were SO COOL and wanted to ride them all the time!

Our second day at the farm was more cloudy, thus cooler and not as nice. We still went for another ride in the trailer and on the 4 wheelers though : )

Sophia would ride in front of Daddy...

Thank you to Grandpa Gerry for the tractor/trailer rides and for letting us have SO MUCH FUN on the 4 wheelers!!

Out at the farm

On Monday, when everyone went back to school and to work, we headed out to the Kiesow farm! This was the first time for Sophia, second for Eva (although it was 2 years ago for her).

We arrived before Grandpa Gerry, so we walked around exploring...

Eva found her favorite "flower" everywhere.... dandelions! : )

Sophia found another leaf pile...

Daddy was showing Eva and Sophia how the old water pump used to work (in front of the old barn).
Then Daddy showed Eva and Sophia all the old farm equipment... like the plow.

Buddy the cat

Abby and Emma have a new kitty they got this summer. Sophia and Eva LOVED LOVED LOVED playing with Buddy. He was such a good sport - allowing them to hold him all the time and play with him.

Buddy was sitting looking out the window and Sophia just went and sat down right next to him. I thought it was a cute shot : )

Eva had to go sit by Buddy then...

Made it to the lake!

We finally made it to our destination... the Olson lake home. Auntie Gwen and Uncle Trent were building a new home in Grand Forks, so we stayed at the lake home, which is an hour from Grand Forks. It is really pretty in the fall...

That first weekend, Eva and Sophia jumped in the leaves with Abby and Emma. Bbbbrrrr... It was cold for us Arizonans!!
Cowabunga....

Sophia wanted to try. Ready...set...

fall... : )

All covered in leaves...

The cousins:

Sophia was helping Abby rake the leaves back into the pile!

At Grandma K's

While in Sioux Falls visiting Grandma K, we went to see where she worked and visit her co-workers. Outside the hospital were these beautiful bushes that change color in the fall...

Snow!

When we woke up on our last day of travel, there was snow outside our hotel room. The girls LOVED it! This was in Sterling, CO.

Entering Colorado... it's getting colder!

We decided to drive up to Minnesota/North Dakota this year. The drive went better than we thought. Here was one of many stops to get out and "stretch".