Uncle Rick and Aunt Donna

A week ago today, while Gabriel was sick, Isabelle was covered in blotches and Michael complained about the random bumps on his body, I received a phone call.  A surprise phone call that was wonderful.  Looking at the clock as my phone rang at 6:20 a.m. I noticed it was from my Aunt Donna and Uncle Rick.  Given that I don't get to talk to them all that often and the fact that it was so early in the morning, made me first think something bad had happened (I know, I know, I need to be the glass half full kind of thinker, I guess I'll just blame it on the way the morning had started, I was already in a negative mindset.). 

Anyway, as I answered the phone and heard my Uncle Rick on the other end, I was happily surprised to hear that they were going to make an unexpected, last minute trip to Phoenix.  As we briefly discussed details he said, "We'll see you tomorrow afternoon".  

And just like that, I got off the phone to tell the boys excitedly that we were going to have visitors from Iowa.  For the past several years when we visit Iowa, we have been able to visit Rick and Donna, and their son Eric and Stefanie's farm. Eric and Stefanie have three girls the boys ages and it would be fair to say the boys LOVE every minute they get to spend with Ava, Jordan and Kelly on the farm.  So when I told the boys about our Iowa visitors I said, "Boys, Rick and Donna are coming to visit us!!!!"  Gabriel looked and Michael and Michael looked at Gabriel, each searching for a clue as to what in the world I was talking about.  I then realized, that they needed me to put it in their terms.  So I said, "Ava, Kelly and Jordan's grandma and grandpa are coming to visit us!!!"  And with that shouts of YAY and questions of how soon they would be arriving, filled the air.  (Sorry Rick and Donna, if it makes you feel better, I"m only known and Gabriel and Michael's mom to almost everyone in their social circle. :-) )

Around 37 hours later Rick and Donna walked into our home!  How excited we were to see them.   I think they were a bit tired and sore from driving so many hours, but it was so great to have them visit.  As we caught up about how things were back home and what changes, updates and exciting things were happening, I reflected on how much fun I had growing up living close to them.  I remember our family would often get together with their family, us kids were similar in age and the adults always enjoyed talking and playing cards.  Living so far away from so much family, we often feel like we miss out on so much.  And now when we do get the chance to go back to Iowa, it is pretty much a race to see as many people as we can, so the chance to sit down and just visit doesn't come around all that often.  I guess that's just one of the reasons why I had such an enjoyable time catching up.

That night we made plans for the following day to take the kids to Bass Pro Shop, having never been before, I learned it was an experience in itself just visiting the huge store.  Indeed they were right and although I forgot my camera, the boys found about 50 things they wanted/insisted they needed and proceeded to beg Donna and Rick to buy it for them.  I think Rick finally decided to postpone the conversation about buying a 4-wheeler for Gabriel until he is 12. :-)  Rick- I don't think Gabriel will forget that.

Saturday night, Rick and Donna gave Jarrett and I a chance to actually talk to each other and offered to watch the kids while we went to a friend's birthday party.  What a wonderful gift (for us)! Actually for all of us, all of the kids had a lot of fun playing with Rick and Donna and after picking them up that night the boy's couldn't stop talking about all the fun they had while we were gone.  "Mom- did you know Donna is a really good cooker?"  Yes Michael I did. "Mom- did you know Donna said I could take all these cookies home and she said I could eat them before we go to bed, even with milk mom okay?"  Nice try Gabriel, you can have some in the morning (even though Mom may or may not have had 3 of those tasty cookies before bed). "Mom- Did you know Rick played bear with us? He sounds like a real bear!"  "Mom- Rick and I talked about football and his favorite team" "Mom, can Rick and Donna be our grandpa and grandma too?"  It was clear, the kids had fallen in love.

Even though it rained the entire time of their visit, on Sunday we decided, despite the clouds and rain, to take a trip to the Phoenix Zoo.  It was fun as we walked around the exhibits and the boys shouted out for us to keep going to see the next animal. That day I did remember our camera and so below are a few shots...

While we waited for a brief rain cloud to pass cover, Rick taught the boys thumb wrestling.... I think the boys thought if they made Rick's arms crossed they had a better chance of winning.  They were wrong. :-)

By the time we came to the elephant exhibit, we found it was actually time to feed them.  Being that the zoo was not crowded, the care taker shared with us how she places food throughout their "home" and how much they eat a day.  Each elephant eats ~100 lbs of food a day, and for those wondering beer from a keg is not in their diet. They actually place food inside the keg and there is a small hole at one end.  The elephant has to turn the key and use its trunk to get the food out.  Although it looks like the elephant is just putting the food from the key directly into its mouth, it isn't.  She is holding it with her mouth and using her trunk, just like we use our finger, to pick the food up.  It was fascinating to watch and we a learned something.  Also I don't think I've ever been so close to an elephant.

We of course had to visit the lions, they were so excited to see us.  Can you tell?

And then we had to ride the carousel. 

And while the boys did that, Rick and Donna watched Isabelle for us.  I don't think they minded the wait.

Isn't his smile/surprise face the best?  This is what I get when I ask him to smile. :-)

And after a fun day at the zoo we returned home for it was back to work/school the next day and the boys had to get ready for bed.  After dinner Rick and Donna came over for their last evening of their visit and we played cards.  Isabelle was still up and even though she was ready for bed, she was determined to stay up.  I tried to give her the bottle but she wanted down.  A few minutes later, she had walked/crawled over to Rick's lap where it was clear, she wanted him to hold/feed her.  While he held her and fed her the bottle she started pointing at his nose.  I think she was telling him to make sure they come back to visit and to make it soon!  A few minutes later she was fast asleep.

We sure had a wonderful time with our surprise Iowa visitors.  Thanks again Rick and Donna for such a fun weekend!  Please come back again soon!  We miss you already!

Until next time,
Angie