July 4 Vacation

(driving into Pella)
(Aunt Pearl and Jake)

Happy Fourth of July. Our day started in Nebraska and after a three hour drive we finally ended up in Pella. We are staying with Rob’s Aunt Pearl and Uncle Ron the entire time we are here. Their basement is its own little space complete with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, TV and couch. It is perfect for us to make our home away from home and give the kids some stability. Jake did have his first meltdown right after getting out of the car and seeing the paint rocks we are going to make later in the week. It was my first embarrassing and overwhelming moment of the day. After kicking screaming and calling me an “idiot,’ he settled down and we moved on.

(Luke)
(Connie and Calvin's backyard)

(on the tractor)

(Rob and Jeff with his cousins)

(me and Rob)

(roasting hot dogs)

(4th of July sparklers)

From there we drove to Rob’s Aunt Connie and Uncle Calvin’s farm for dinner with Mr. G.’s side of the family. It was so fun to see Rob’s cousins and Ry had a blast running around with all the other kids. Jake loved the tractor and seeing all the kids, but he had a couple pretty major meltdown in front of Rob’s uncle and cousins. I know that today was way too long for Jake and that he was around way too many people for him. And all things considered I can’t believe he did as well as he did. It is just so stressful, wanting him to have fun, but waiting for him to hit the breaking point. Tomorrow should be a slower paced day and hopefully Jake will begin to adjust. As always, we need to take one day at a time and try to keep our schedule as chaotic free as possible. We also have to keep a close eye on Luke since his breathing is a little more raspy do to the humidity. All in all it was a good day with its not so great moments. It was great watching all the kids have so much fun together. And, I loved watching Rob with her aunts, uncles and cousins. Now if only we could make it through the day without an overwhelming, embarrassing meltdown. That is probably not is the plans for this trip or any day in the future but I can dream can’t I?