Visiting Iowa

Last weekend I took the girls to Pella, IA to visit some extended family.  Both of my parents grew up in the area, and I still have quite a few relatives there. 

In particular we went to visit my grandmother who is 101.  

 Step one: Crossing the Mississippi.  For a brief time, it was warm enough for no coats.

 While the girls took pictures and threw rocks - I found a quilt store right across the street.  Its located in LeClaire, IA.  Expressions in Threads.  I took a picture inside.  Really nice store, really nice people. 

 I made a couple of purchases....

I found these on their sale shelf, it was hard to walk away, so I didn't.

This is my grandma with the girls.  Mini is her namesake. 

We went through a bunch of photo albums.  I took a picture of a picture.  This is my grandpa with his violin.  We have the violin, now, since my kids play.  It was a special photo to find.

 Sorry for the blurry picture, but we had to stop at the Dutch Bakery, Jaarsma's.  We needed the big bag.  Dutch letters, Banket, bismarks, Sinterclaas Cookies (windmill cookies), Almond butter cake.  We've been working our way through the goodies.

 This is what we woke up to on Sunday getting ready to come home.  Fortunately the drive was just wet.

 We love Steak n Shake on vacation!

 And this is what we came home to.....

 I also picked up this sweet little doll quilt at an antique shop.  I can't afford the big ones....
It is sewn by machine and tied - no batting.  Not sure at all of an age.  It is quite dirty.  I have an appraiser friend that I'm going to ask about washing it.  I'm definitely leaning toward yes.

 It measures about 10" x 13".  I think I might frame it and hang it up.

Vacay 2016 Recap Post #3

 Just a few more things to share.  While staying in Virginia, we went to Norfolk to the Nauticus Museum and the Battleship USS Wisconsin.  That was a great place to visit with the kids.  Lots of hands on activities, an aquarium area, sharks to pet, underwater robots to build and pilot, we watched a 3D (not scary) movie about the Great White Shark.

 I wanted to include this shot of E fetching one of the kayaks.  We did some kayaking, got to see osprey nests and chicks, blue crabs, and even some jelly fish!  I (obviously) did not take my phone during kayaking sessions.

  We also visited Colonial Williamsburg.  Confession: We weren't blown away.  For the amount of money we spent, we just didn't feel like we had an amazing experience.

 We did, of course, put the kids in the stocks.

When we are on the coast we try to each as much seafood as possible.  The last night we grilled oysters and shrimp and I made fresh crab cakes.

 On the way home, we stopped in the Shenandoah National Park.  Beautiful, of course.  We collect patches from all the places we visit.  I'll share our board once its updated.

A little fun at Steak N Shake on the way home.  We don't have them in WI, so its fun and yummy to stop on vacation.