So, I mentioned earlier that my 4 older kids got on a plane and flew to Nebraska to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa on their farm.
They had a blast!
(***All photos are curtesy of Grandpa, as my children came home with only 1 photo...a truck at an auction. So, a HUGE thank you to Grandpa, or Grandma-who ever was behind the lens at the time, so they could have some photos of their fun trip!***)
Aside from Grandma and Grandpa of course, the animals were the highlight of the trip!
They've told me they were to help feed and groom the horses while they were there, a chore they loved.
"Why can't we have those kind of chores at our house, mom?"
Grandpa told me of how he woke up one morning to find that the horses had been fed and watered, and when he asked how 'they' did it on their own, he learned that it was not 'they', but just Duncan who had taken care of it. And he did it again the next day, but Grandpa came out half way to help---apparently it's heavy stuff, and Grandpa was impressed that he was able to to it all himself that first time!
Morgan was in heaven with the horses.
Time for a little riding.
The also fed and watered the chickens each day, and checked for eggs.
Ronan reports that the chickens loved him! They would come running to him! And he equally loved them back. "We need a pet chicken, mom!"...I heard on the phone that night.
Duncan showed me how to properly pick up a chicken when they got home. He also enjoyed them.
There were cows too....awaiting a calf, who came 3 days after they left.
And of course the beloved cats, and kittens! I'm not sure how many there were, a lot I know, the kids keep telling me about them by name...I've lost count.
When they weren't hanging out with the animals at the farm, they did some pretty fun stuff.
And have some fun on Grandma & Grandpa's boat!
This was a hit for EVERYONE! I heard lots about this!
They also spent a day at the zoo.
They were there for two Sunday's, and Duncan gave a talk in primary the 2nd Sunday there. I was proud of him for doing that in an unfamiliar ward.
Basically it was better than Disney World... in fact, Brian & I are thinking about sending them there and just taking the 2 little girls to Disney World next year! (haha)
Apparently when it came time to go, the 'goodbyes' to the animals took some time.
In fact, they all asked me if they could stay longer....maybe next year I said.
It's hard to leave horse heaven when your a 10 year old girl!
Then it was off to Maryland again!
I was so excited to see them. Their flight came in at 11:25pm, but I got there with plenty of time to get my ticket, go through security, and meet them at the gate. Only when I arrived at the airport at about 10:40pm, the ticketing counters were deserted, and the security checkpoint was closed and gated. I found a janitor and asked him if he knew how I could get back to pick up my kids! He told me there were some Southwest employees downstairs near baggage claim, and to go talk to them. When I found them, I learned that security closes when the last flight departs, NOT arrives, and there was no way I could meet them at the gate. They said they would send someone to meet them and walk them down to me. So, I sat on the nearest baggage carousel waiting for their flight to land....
I sent Hayden a text message letting him know what was happening, and to be looking for the Southwest employee who would bring them to me. Well....he called after they got off the plane to let me know there was no one waiting there for them. Since Hayden is 14, and BWI is fairly small, I was confident that he could follow the signs to baggage claim and just come met me there. Although it was killing me not to be there right when they got off the plane!
They made it to me fine, and apparently the Southwest employee went to the wrong gate...two flights came in at about the same time.
I was happy to see them and to hear all about their adventures they had together!
It was a great overall experience, hopefully Grandma and Grandpa survived enough to have them back again next year....because they are already talking about it!
