As you may know we moved back to Ohio from Georgia just less than two years ago, and one of the largest reasons for our move was to be near friends and family. Therefore, we were really excited to be living within a couple hours of our really good friends, the Imwalles. You can also probably imagine our grief when we found out they were being transferred to IOWA. BOOOO!!! However, we knew we wanted to visit them as soon as possible so the trip was set long ago for Spring Break 2014…
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| Dad and Alex "on the road" |
Background on the Imwalles...
I have know Ross since I was little through 4-H, and shortly after I also became friends with Ashley in the same way. I feel like it was still yesterday when a bunch of were hanging out working on a derby car and in discussion of our plans for the next weekend Ross asked if I could bring my friend too (meaning Ashley). I never would have guessed then that over 10 years later I would be taking my family to visit theirs in IOWA. Anyway, as we went off to college Ross and I both attended UC (although he's a couple years ahead of me), and it was not long before I started dating Justin. We all became very close throughout the ups and downs of our college years together, and even though we are no longer close in proximity I am glad we are still raising our families together.
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| Stopping to eat! |
Ross and Ashley have a beautiful Daughter (Ava) who is about nine months younger than our lil munchkin. They were best friends at first sight, and we are always amazed by how well they get along even though they do not see each other very often. Just seeing them meet up again really makes me think about the babies memory and brain, and how relationships work for them. Anyway, we got there pretty late at night so the real fun began the next morning... Bath Time!!
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| Ava was taking a bath, and Alex was mesmerized by one of her toys. I told her it had to stay in the tub, and that was all I had to say before she was practically jumping in. |
Next, we went went to a really great hamburger place for lunch (totally worth the wait), and had one of their specialties... MILKSHAKES
Surprise. surprise both girls were begging for more!
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| Alex teaching Ava how to do her new puzzle, but Alex thought Ava's way of using them as a tambourine was much more fun! |
Another thing we did on our trip I thought was particularly fun was COSTCO! Alright, I know but it was my first time and I love to shop. The best part is that their carts are two seaters (apparently they don't just shop in bulk, but also procreate in bulk). The two munchkins loved these as they were already inseparable.
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| Alright, the cart didn't last forever... |
The Park
Fun was had by all at the park! Alex went down some pretty tall slides and even climbed a ladder, while Ava got her first underdog on the swing.
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| The dads having fun on the bridge. |
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| FAMILY FUN! |
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| We didn't even try to dress them as twins. Ashley and I just think alike! |
Next, we went to a brewery (yes we took our toddlers to a bar). Justin and I got a flight to try all the beers and Munchkin felt left out because the little glasses were drinking from looked like much more fun than her sippy cup. so, being the good parents that we are... we rinsed one out and let her drink her water from it. notice Dad's hand? We didn't want any broken glasses!
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| They drank more than us |
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| BFFs |
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| Troublemakers |
Finally, and sadly our trip had to come to an end... I cannot thank the Imwalles enough for having us, and I know we all cannot wait to see the trouble these two ornery little girls will get into. We miss Ross, Ashley, and Ava constantly, but we are so blessed to have them in our lives!
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| Until next time... |
