They're BAAACCKK

We made it back about 9:30 last night. We are tired and I'm sore (I don't recommend traveling 10 hours one way when 37 weeks pregnant), but it's great having the kids home. The girls' were excited about their room and they both slept the whole night in their beds. Kyra didn't climb out of her bed until 6:00 this morning when she was ready to get up. The kids were excited to be back and we will be hitting the ground running today.

We had a great time at Adam and Paige's. The kids spent most of their time in the water, on Saturday they went into the lake around 9:00 and didn't get out until 6:00 that night. Besides swimming in the lake, they rode the jet ski, and went on the tube behind the jet ski.

We have two weeks before school starts for Mark and Valynn so we will be busy wrapping up some loose ends. I have a doctors appointment today and a meeting tonight and meals tomorrow. Mark has a supplier coming in on Thursday and Friday so we won't see much of him. We are hoping to make it to the museum one day this week and with the heat that is predicted maybe to the pool one day. We'll see how much we can squeeze in. We're headed out to the garden now before it gets too hot for the day.

I promised the girls!

I promised Valynn and Kyra that I would take some pictures of their room when it got done. Kyra will be moving to a big girl bed and Valynn will get to sleep on the top bunk.

The kids have had a busy week in ND and Grandma hasn't sent any pictures lately so I don't have any to post. Valynn and Mason have been going to Vacation Bible School this week. They have been having a great time and are making new friends. Yesterday they sang at the Senior Citizens and tonight they have a program. We miss not being there to watch their program but I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa will fill us in and of course we'll get our own private showing.

Our two weeks along is wrapping up. We made a big dent on our to do lists and will be ready for the new adventures starting with school in two weeks and a new baby that can arrive anytime. Tuesday night I went out for supper with a friend. Today I cleaned peaches, made pickles, and finished as much of Kyra's baby scrapbook as I could (now I just need to find her ultrasound pictures and I can finish it). Mark thinks I'm nesting because I washed and ironed curtains the last two days, I say I'm just getting some deep cleaning done. Either way, we're going to relax and spent our last night alone before we head to SD tomorrow afternoon to pick up the kids.

Mom and dad's weekend getaway.

We took a trip to Galena, IL for the weekend. Galena is located in the corner of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It's a historic town. We visited the Apple River Fort where they had reenactments taking place. We toured General Grant's house (he wasn't president at the time). We walked along the historic Main St. and did some shopping. We stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast. It was a very nice and relaxing trip.

Sunday night I went out with the 3 neighbor ladies. We went out to eat at a new Mexican restaurant and shared a pitcher of virgin Strawberry daquari and then to the movie Mamma Mia. It was a very enjoyable evening and the movie was funny. The four of us made quite a sight since three of us are pregnant and two of us are due in 2-3 weeks. When I got home Mark was across the street watching a movie and drinking beer with Brad so I guess I don't feel too bad about leaving him home alone.

It's our last week without the kids and a few more projects to get finished up before they get home. Mark was done with class last week and he got an A. With school done he should be able to help me with a couple of my projects before the kids get back.

They were on TV!

Here's the link to watch the kids. They made the news for watching the Dog Show at the state fair.

Ultrasound

Everything looked good with the ultrasound. The baby is measuring about 6 days behind my due date with is within normal range and follows the pattern of my first three. They estimate the weight to be around 5 pounds. We still don't know the sex. This is also your last chance to play or change your guess on the guessing game.
www.expectnet.com
Game name rinkelbaby2008


The kids are doing good in ND. They went to the State Fair yesterday and had a blast. We're doing good here without them. I've been tackling my to do list and have everything ready for the baby. We had the Bowdoin's over for supper last night to help Chantel celebrate her birthday. Today I ran errands in town and got most of Valynn's school supplies. Tonight it Mark's last night of summer school.

Kids' first day in ND

The kids ran threw the sprinkler, went up to quilting. Kyra is helping our neighbor Doc sew. They rode in the gator. Just to name a few. The kids went up with a to do list and Grandma and Grandpa are doing their best to accomplish everything on the list.

Where are my zucchini pickers?

I think you forgot to pick a few zucchini! All three of the zucchini are over 12 inches long. Of course my pickers are up north having fun with Grandma and Grandpa. Mark and I are missing the kids, the house is too quiet. I'm busy working on my to do list, today's agenda is getting all the baby things ready. I've already gone through clothes and pulled out all the baby items (car seat, bouncer, swing, etc). I've got laundry going with baby gear. I'm now taking a break getting pictures done from the party before I move on to another project.