Feeding Tube Envy

How many kids pretend to have feeding tubes? Unfortunately, these two girls have witnessed more than most kids their age!

The Big Party

On Saturday night there was a big reception and dance. Happy 50th Grandma and Grandpa!Callie whipped out all her dance moves.Even Cassie and Mark came!
And fun was had by all!

Celebrating Ron and Judy

The anniversary festivities began with a family dinner on Friday night. We watched an amazing slide show that my Aunt Jenny put together. She interviewed each of the seven kids. Each kid talked about their favorite child hood memories. After their interview, pictures were shown of their own family from their marriage to present. There was an in memory section and then a slide show with random pictures from each decade- 60's- present. It was a tear jerker. Then we celebrated a little too much at the painted pony. Here is my grandparents with 19 of their 20 grandchildren.This is the farm my mom grew up on. My Uncle Dave and Aunt Robin live there now.Judy and Ron 50 years ago.And then they had a kid every year. And one year, they had twins. My Aunt Jenny is missing in this pic.

Family Photos

This is the Girres family. My mom is the oldest of 7 children. There are 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. It's one of those big, Catholic, Iowa farming families. I have always loved being part of such a big and loving family and get togethers are always a blast. Travis was deployed and Shane had to work so they were photo shopped in.

The Villager

The Villager is one of my favorite places in West Bend. It's a pharmacy, gift shop but most importantly, an old fashioned soda fountain. The kids like it too! That's my grandpa Dutch in the background. You can have coffee with him every morning at the Villager.

Living Vine Bed and Breakfast

We stayed at the local B&B while we were in West Bend so our family could all stay together. It is a cute old house, decorated with antiques. They probably don't allow children there anymore after our kids stayed there a few days... They love spending time together!

Skeet Shoot At The Helleseth Farm

Our second trip to Iowa in June was for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. We got to see most of our aunts, uncles, and cousins on my mom's side.Aunt Jenny was loving on Allie.Travis was deployed but we picked up Robyn and Bryson in Kansas.Callie loved playing with Keaton and Aiden's guns. Then the girls decided to hunt the ducks.Cade was chasing them signing duck.Cade liked the chicken coop... Yuck!Emily, Mason, Callie and they finally got to meet their cousin BrooklynDad and Uncle Joe.The kids had fun on the Razor.Grandma Judy, Amy and AllieBrooklyn and Bryson are almost the same age. We aren't used to cold nights in June! The weather was beautiful.

Happy Father's Day to Grandpa!