Pella trip 2015

I have driven by Pella more times than I can remember and had never stopped.  While staying in Albia this summer, we were so close that we decided to take a day trip there (8/1).  Every year they have a tulip festival which is known all over the world and draws thousands of people ( we did not get to attend that festival). Kirk and I enjoyed the history of the town, it's quaint shops, and the bakeries famous for their Letter pastry.  I recommend visiting Pella if you're ever in the area and taking the tour of the Windmill.  

Posing in front of the oldest working windmill in the nation.  

Kirk on the top of the windmill. 

The making of the wooden shoes!

Did not know that Wyatt Earp had lived here.  I am from Monmouth,Illinois where Wyatt was born. 

The straw thatch hut once lived in by the settlers from Holland. 

Nelson Reunion 2015

It's not very often that we get all of Kirk's kids and their families together in one place, but we almost succeeded minus one granddaughter.   Kirk's children are Nate, Heather, and Cartie.  Carrie and her family from Utah came to Iowa in July for a week.  Carrie is married to John.  They have a total of 6 children.   Nate and Lindsey live in Iowa and have a son.  Nate also has two grown daughters.   Heather and Charley also live in Iowa and have a daughter.  Heather also has a son.   So, since we were still in Iowa for the summer we thought it would be nice to get everyone together.  Kirk and I got a room at the hotel in Marshalltown the weekend of 7/25.  We rented the room next to the pool area and ordered pizzas.  The kids had a ball swimming, playing together, and just getting to know all their cousins.   Grandma Mavis was able to enjoy it all.  

Front row sitting: Austine holding Mason, Grandma Mavis.  Second row: Brayden and Dakota. Third row: Kyler, Taylor, Kael, Damon, Jasmine.  Back row: me, Kirk, Lindsey, Nate, Carrie, John, Heather, Kaylee, Charley.  

Papa Kirk with jasmine, Taylor, and Brayden.  

I think John is praying for them all.  What a crew!  What a proud papa!

Cousins!

Cousins loved getting to know each other.  

Grandpa Kirk and Austine.  What a beauty. 

Jordan was the only grandchild not able to attend because of a prior commitment. We sure did miss her.  

Mavis Time 2015

While staying in Albia, IA, we were fortunate enough to be close to Kirk's mom (Mavis).  Gladbrook was just around 2 hours from us.  It was easy for Kirk to hop on his motorcycle to go visit her while I was at work, or take me to work, and drive the truck there if he needed to.  I could go with him on my days off.  On 7/18, we both went to Gladbrook, and took Mavis to see her sister, Eleanor.  Eleanor was in the hospital in Marshalltown and was not doing well.  I know they both enjoyed their visit.  Kirk was able to visit with some of his cousin's while there.  Chuy went with us and stayed in his kennel at Mavis's apt.  On the way back to Gladbrook, we stopped and picked up some fresh sweet corn (our first for the Summer) and had it for supper that night.   On 7/30 Kirk's aunt Eleanor passed away :(    Kirk drove the truck to take his mother to the funeral on 9/3.

Sisters, Eleanor and Mavis

Visiting Eleanor in the hospital.  Kirk, Mavis, me, Gene (Eleanor's husband), and Redge (nephew of Eleanor).

What a nice surprise, when Kirk brought his mother back to Albia after the funeral to stay with us for a couple of days.  That saturday, we all went for a ride to Melrose and ate at The Red Barn.  Great tenderloins and reubens!   Then went for a nice ride around Rathbun Lake.   On Sunday, we took Mavis home, by way of Nate and Lindsey's house in Granger.  Mason and Kaylee were celebrating their birthdays.  Mason (Nate and Lindsey's son) turned 3, and Kaylee (Heather and Charlie's daughter) turned 1.  A beautiful day for a party.   After taking Mavis to her place, Kirk did some work on the house she has for sale.

 The Red Barn in Melrose, IA.  Middle of nowhere, and great tenderloins.

 Kaylee and Mason birthday party.

The after picture was much better, but I didn't get that one.

Albia/Ottumwa 2015

We headed to Albia, IA where we would stay while I was working in Ottumwa.  My job was at the Good Samaritan home, with the rehab provided by Aegis.   I started there on July 20th, and after arriving found that they weren't  expecting me until the following week (even though my contract said the 20th).  Caseload was extremely low, so while I was building caseload, which was very difficult as nursing staff and doctor are not on board with Speech therapy, I was very bored.  Regardless, I enjoyed by assignment there, and met some awesome people, mostly, but not limited to the therapy staff.  On my last day of work (9/16),  my co-workers brought in lunch, and gave me an Ottumwa T-shirt.  They are GREAT!

FYI fact:  co-op is what they call potluck in this part of the country.  

 The nursing home trapped these cuties and then released them in the country.  Lots of coons at the nursing home in Ottumwa becoming a nuisance.

 Co workers bought lunch my last day of work.  The famous Ottumwa Canteen.  Very close to Taylor's maidrites in Marshalltown, IA

 This was our site in Albia, IA at Indian Hills RV Park.  There is also a motel and restaurant on the site.

Co workers in Ottumwa also brought in Graham's ice milk.  Yummy!!

While in Albia, we had a few visitors.  Rudy and Bev came to visit 8/4 - 8/7 and were able to park in the site next to us.  We ate at a fun place, Bubba Q's in Ottumwa.  While I was working, they and Kirk golfed in Oskaloosa,   We cooked out, watched the Republican Debate on TV, and played with Rudy's Bug A Salt.  We really do need to get one of those.

Charlie and Kathy, our friends from MN whom we had met in Yuma, AZ last winter also came to visit on 8/l0 for the night while on their way to the Knoxville Sprint Car Races.  We had a nice cook out and visit.  The Sprint car races are a huge thing every year with thousands of people coming from all over.  They brought their new motor home.  

Robyn and Ady visited on 8/31and spent the night.  They were on their way to Illinois to stay with Grandma Ryner for two months.  Robyn is also going to home school Ady this school year.  We had a fun visit.