Bartholomew Reunion-Iowa

The long anticipated event arrived!  Time to head out for my family reunion!  We were loaded to the hilt inside and out.  Lee is a master at loading the bikes top and back and Clark loaded several things himself.  We left later than I hoped and sadly that makes me cranky. (I need to work on that!)  I forgot to drop off library books at our local library, so we had to go a little out of the way to drop them off in Harrisonburg.  BUT we finally left!


We had a decent drive through the night to Iowa.  We did have to pull over though and we both slept for a couple of hours.  Lee resumed driving at about 3:30am.  We made it to Deb's house right at lunch.  They had already left to eat at a park, so we drove over and met them there.  I love how the cousins are always excited to see each other.  Several came running over to meet us.


Haley especially loves her cousins' dogs.  This one is Boomer.  The other dog is Sally.


And these boys, Elden and Reed, enjoyed having Boomer run over them.  So funny and uncomfortable!!!


After a great lunch we headed to downtown. I love their downtown!!!  Oh and Deb fed all of us the ENTIRE time!  It was awesome, thanks Deb!  (Well, one stop for lunch we all ate at a local cafe.)


So, you HAVE to go to the Scratch Cup Cakery in Iowa.  I think they are the best cupcakes I've bought at a cupcake store.  I've actually had cupcakes from the Cake Boss bakery, from the well-known Georgetown Cupcakes, and our local cupcake joint.  These are the best!  Not sure if they're as good or the same as my friend Courtney's cupcakes, but they are really good!


We gave the kids a spending limit and they all chose to get a slurpee-like drink.  Since those didn't cost very much we opted to get three cupcakes to ourselves and split all of them just between me and Lee. YUM YUM!


It was fun peeking in a few other stores downtown, like this fun candy shop.


Next stop....the much anticipated public swimming pool: "The Falls".  Yes.  You read it right.  This is their PUBLIC swimming pool.  SO SO SO FUN!  No need to go to a water park when you can visit The Falls for $7 a person!










We never got a picture of it, but you can see an opening into the lazy river from the slide drop off...






Joseph and Cal are apparently having a dance contest?


Watching old Disney movies is so fun with my family.  We watched That Darn Cat and had pizza.  Then we had fun doing fireworks.  The Bunker's treat us right!










We were wiped out.  Even Elden fell asleep on this wooden bench.  I don't know how we do it, but when Lee and I drive through the night, somehow we manage to stay up for the rest of the next day.  An occasional nap might get snuck in here or there, but for the most part I'm amazed that we can stay awake.


We had a lovely Sabbath.  Their church is about a mile away so Lee and I and the kids walked to church.  We should have left sooner as we were late.  Naturally,  I am not a punctual person.  It's my free spirit side coming out. I am more of a situational punctual person.  Like church for example.  I feel like I'm late if I don't get there 15 minutes early.  Or even 10 minutes.   My kids inevitably have to use the restroom or get a drink of water. And I'm surprised how long a drink or bathroom stop can take.....


Part of the walk...


After church we ate and visited.  Such great times!  Wish I lived closer to my family.


Monday morning Lee and I went on a run--Lee did 6 miles with me!  A couple kids played a game Joseph and Cal made up.  We packed up and headed out.





We enjoyed the first leg of the reunion.  Family time is the best time.