Xander and Clare

Kids got their wings on the flight from Seattle to Denver (but then we somehow lost Clare's shirt.)

In Omaha, happy to be reunited with Toby!

Headed to Des Moines the next day, straight to Grammie Eve's kitchen and more baked goods than they could possibly eat.

Our hotel had an indoor pool and the kids got in it every chance they could over our five-day stay.

Clare and I went to Latin King with Grammie Eve for dinner...

...while the boys hit an Iowa Cubs game.

Breakfast the next morning with Grandpa Sid.

Mom found some old treasures in her basement.

And then Grandma and Grandpa arrived! They were staying right across the hall from us -- it was perfect!

X was out with Michael when the arrived, so he got to surprise them.

Dinner at Aunt Judy's meant all the second cousins finally got to meet!

21st century bonding.

Posing with Great-Grandma Adda after Mary's memorial service.

Placing flowers on all the relatives' graves at Woodland Cemetery.

Posing on the rock for Grammie Eve -- just like in the old days -- before we caravaned south to see extended family on both sides.

First stop: Uncle Ivyl and Aunt Kathy's place in Truro.

Meeting more second cousins!

Getting a tractor ride from their Great-Uncle Ivyl, just like I used to.

Kickball!

Making fake engine sounds, because it's impossible not to.

Next stop: Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Rod's, just outside of Osceola!

Xander's driving may have scared cousin Hope -- just a bit.

Grandma and Grandpa were brave and let X drive them around.

Hope gave Clare a horse ride!

Hugs for his Great-Aunt Sonn.

Breana taught Clare how to play Chinese checkers -- just like I used to do with her mom and her uncle when I was a kid.

When Xander drove the golf cart into the corn field, we all just gaped and laughed from inside the nice, cool house.

Hope kindly went out to help him.

The next day, Grammie Eve took us on a tour of the Capitol building.

Sitting at the governor's desk.

Then (2005) and now.

Posing outside the senate chambers.

In the library.

Heading in to see the exact spot where their parents got hitched.

Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa.

One last time in the pool.

Waiting in the Omaha airport to head home.

Posing in his new favorite outfit.

Flying west.

Meeting Rowan and Aoife -- the daughters of our dear college friend (and one of my roommates) Rob.

Xander has had all kinds of new chores to do this summer. Every blind has now been completely cleaned.

WWU basketball camp -- 36 hours crammed into four days!

When X's team won a pizza, he dived right in, even though it had pepperoni on it. The (positive) power of peer pressure!

Clare hadn't seen Xander since Sunday morning (camp ended after 9pm and started up at 8am) -- I think they missed each other. We all celebrated X finishing a challenging camp with lunch at Boomer's.