The traditional jump into the pool on arrival to Baba and Grandpa’s house

Yesterday we drove to Iowa for our annual summer trip. The kids have been so excited about it for weeks and were so happy to hit the road. Olive came along for the first time and she actually did really well. It was a relatively uneventful trip and we pulled in to West Des Moines at 8:30pm. Baba was waiting on the corner with a welcome sign and the kids were so thrilled to see her. After a quick hug to grandpa it was into the pool, fully clothed as is the tradition.

All wet after falling in to the pool

Olive didn’t know quite what to make of the pool. She was barking at both kids and leaning over to get closer to them. Then she fell in. We found out she could swim but she was a little freaked about it and has not risked going that close to the pool since.

The twins were up early to greet Jude and Anna

We thought the kids would sleep in because neither of them got a good night’s sleep the previous night but they were both up early and were in the pool with the twins before Marcy and I got out of bed. And they have been in and out of the pool all day today. Of course, there was lots of great food and treats as well and they spent the day between the Dahlen’s house and Baba and Grandpa’s house.

The five kids had a wresting match

Before we left Anna wrapped up her school year. She did a great video on the music of slavery for history that we both worked on quite hard. Then there was a “drive by” celebration at the school for Mr. Kevin, one of Anna’s favorite teachers, that Anna had an integral role in organizing and she had a great time seeing him and some of her friends. It was great to end the school year with a little bit of physical connection.

Anna giving Mr Kevin a hug to celebrate his 25 years teaching at Ricks