Week with the Hendricks Family

The week after Christmas, Luke and his family came to Iowa for Christmas and New Year's. This time with dad going with Chemo and all, they decided to stay with us. It really worked out perfect because Micayla was gone for about 4 days so Brandon used her room and Luke, Steph, Leah and Lane had the basement all to themselves. They called it their own apartment. LOL It's nice having the extra space and I don't think Brandon minded a bit. Until maybe the one time we told him he couldn't go down to get a different hat or a different pair of shoes because Lane was sleeping. He got over it!

They got in late Friday night, the 28th. It was so awesome to see them, I say this all the time, but I sure wish they lived closer!

Saturday was the Hendricks Christmas, see previous post. After the party, we were all pretty much pooped and just came home. We thought about going up to mom and dad's but dad was tired and we all were so we came home, had a few drinks, played a few games and hit the sack.

Sunday, we hung out at the house for a while, then headed up to mom and dad's. It seems like forever ago so I don't remember what we did each day.

Here's Luke loving on the two boys, Lane and Cooper are going to be the best of buds!

 

Luke and Stephs' rental was a Ford Expedition so we put the base of Cooper's car seat right in the middle of Lane and Leah and the 3 of them shared the 2nd room in the vehicle, which meant when we all wanted to ride together we had to climb in through the back but it was so worth it, we only had to drive one car around.

This was actually taken coming home from Grandma and Grandpa's. I know this because of the hat Cooper is wearing, we couldn't find his so he got to borrow Grandma's. LOL

Monday was New Year's Eve, we all met down at the Moose Lodge for a few snacks and to give dad his birthday present. We got dad a jacket, I can't even explain it, but it's an honor jacket, you can only get one of these if you have been an officer of the Moose, Dad was the Governor the past 2 years so he deserved this jacket. 

We are so happy we got him this, he seemed very proud to put that jacket on.

 

After he had the jacket on we decided to sing happy birthday to him and Leah got on the microphone and sung to Grandpoo, it was the sweetest thing!

Jan and Scotty out-did themselves, they even had a birthday cake for Dad. His birthday is on New Year's Day.

After the Moose, we came home and got ready for dinner. Mom and Dad got Steak and Lobster and the rest of us all brought up something to eat. It was all so good!

The table nicely decorated.

We were the only ones to stayed up to watch the ball drop. We were actually waiting for Lane to wake up from his nap. That boy knows how to nap, he didn't want to leave to Grammy and Grandpoo's house. I think he took a 5 hour nap. We finally woke him up to go home around 12:30.

New Year's Day we woke up and got ready to head back to Mom and Dad's for New Year's and dad's birthday. We also celebrated our Christmas a few hours before everyone came over for Dad's birthday. All I can say is we are ALL spoiled! It was such a special Christmas and it was extra special with Luke and Steph and the kids here with us.

 

Cooper and I got a snoozer in before the birthday party began. And unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of the party. oops!

Oh wait, we got one of Gavin and Cooper.

The party was a hit, lots of people stopping by to see dad. It's always a fun time, mom has an open house with lots of food.

The next day, I took the day off and Tom headed back to work. Me, Steph, Mom and Erica took all the kids to The Mississippi River Museum we had lots of fun. The big kids loved it!

After the museum we headed to one of Steph's all time favorite restaurant. The Mining Company.

The next day I had to go back to work and Cooper stayed home with Luke and them, they had a blast. Mom and dad came up with The Channel Inn chicken, another Steph favorite. Then the next day they went home. I'm writing this about 2 weeks later and I can't remember what else went on but I know I sure do miss them!