The Zoo

 My Daddy always says "Work first, Play Later." We had worked a lot unpacking, sorting, cleaning and organizing and it was time for some PLAY! Since Mom and Dad are planning on coming back in August we didn't get to do much as time was short. My Dad and I are big fans of the zoo so that's where we went. It was too hot for Oma so she graciously kept Duke since he needed to nap while we explored. Kansas City Zoo was pretty awesome my favorite part were the polar bears. 

All E wanted to do was ride the train... so we did. We all squished into the caboose and rode it three times. 

I love this picture! My Dad is a pretty awesome photographer. 

Then it was time for a snack. Opa and E were lizards!!!  

 

 Sharing some apple sauce. It's a good thing I packed two of everything since Opa wanted all of E's snacks. Don't worry, she didn't mind sharing.

A moth landed on Opa. 

E insisted I hold it since she didn't want to.  

E loved the little penguin. She was giving it kisses and I totally would have taken him home with us! I think he'd enjoy living in our bathtub. 

It was a fun afternoon at the zoo. Next time we go we'll check out Africa. Thanks for the date Opa!

First Day at Work

Jakob is once again a working man! For months we fasted, prayed and prayed some more for Jakob to get a job and here we are. We're in Kansas City and he has landed his dream job. He has worked so hard for this and I could be more proud of him. Way to go husband face!! 

E gave Jakob a hug before he left and she said "Have a good day at school Daddy!" I told her that he was going to work now and that we could visit him at the office for lunch. She was pretty excited about that. I think we'll have to make lunch with Daddy a weekly thing.

Gramma Palmer

Mary Virgina Palmer

April 7th, 1923 - June 5th, 2015

On June 5th Jakob's Gramma passed away. While we are all sad, she was ready to go as her body had become a prison for her bright and happy soul. There was a sigh of relief and happiness as we heard the news of her passing. I could only imagine her being reunited once again with Grampa after all of the years. I can't imagine how much they missed one another. 

Gramma & Grampa Palmer on thier wedding day May 4th, 1945.

While I only got to spend time with Gramma on a few occasions I always found myself looking forward to her visits. She was so kind and happy. I never once heard her complain about anything. She was tender and sincere and you could tell how much she loved you by the twinkle in her eye. 

She was funny! One day Jakob and I came over to spend time with her on one of her visits to Vegas. We found her laying on the floor. We peeked in the room to make sure she hadn't fallen. Then Jakob asked "Gramma, what are you doing?" "She looked up from the floor with her arms and legs spread out like a star fish and said in a very straight voice; "I'm exercising." She was 80 something at the time. It was hilarious.

Another time she had called the house while Mom and Dad were out. I answered and starting talking to her. I don't like silence so I would ask her a question and when she wouldn't respond I would continue to babble. After 3 or so questions she finally said "I would like to answer, but you keep interrupting me." I laughed and apologized and then asked her the question again. It took a few seconds and she replied. I then asked her another question and I waited 3 long seconds... when she didn't reply I began to talk then she cut me off and said; "There you go again." Once I realized that she was older, had to process, and then respond it was a very slow but wonderful conversation. Thinking about it always makes me chuckle.

On this particular occasion (photo above), Mom, Dad, Ethnie and I had headed over to the neighbors pool. Gramma Palmer said that she would only dip her feet it which she did, at first. She was so cute. Then she figured that she could sit in the water, the next thing we know Dad Tobler had her all the way in, floating like a fish. She was always up for an adventure even in her old age. 

She had old and twisted hands. I loved them and she wasn't ashamed of them. They told a story of hard work and years of farming, baking cookies, sewing projects and canning foods. She always had a project going and was a busy lady. I asked her if we could take some four generation photos and she was more than happy to sit with Ethnie and pose for us. 

Hands down, this is my favorite!

 

 I also had the opportunity to have both side of my family together four generations deep. I love this picture and I will cherish it for a life time.

Thank you Gramma for your love, your dedication and you constant example of faith and service. I have never met such a genuine woman who raised 5 wonderful children. You left quite a legacy and you have set an extraordinary example of what it means to be a wife, mother and a daughter of our Father in Heaven. We love you and we miss you! I can't wait until we meet again!

Shopping and IKEA

 As with most visits with my parents we do a lot of shopping and this trip was no exception. Seeing as how we had just moved into our biggest home yet, we had a few items on our list. E was so excited to be with Opa and Oma. 

This is the first time we have lived in a city with an IKEA since we've been married and it's close (like  minutes away close.) It's a bit dangerous but we had fun. Our first trip we got a few treasures for the kids play room. Opa was wild with this cart. E sat down on the end so that Opa could psh her and she got a bit more than she bargained for. Opa spun her around and around. She had to hold on tight to her ice cream cone for fear of it flying out of her hand. I swear... we should have been kicked out. 

This is hands down my favorite picture of the trip! The smile on E's face and I can just hear my Dad shouting and cheering as they flew down the sidewalk. Hilarious! 

Then.... all of a sudden.... it wasn't fun anymore. :)

Poor Opa had to sit in the back seat, totally squished by purchases. Good thing we rented an Escape (p.s. I am sure that will be the next car we purchase... after a van of sorts. I Loved it!!)

The next day we were back at IKEA (5 times in 6 days.... yeah I think we have a problem!) E was determined to take a nap in one of the beds. 

 Back for the final time(without the kidlets), this time it was my turn to get a ride. 

Dad was pretty good at spinning me too! 

Then it was back in the back with Opa and I, only this time both kids were in the car so we couldn't put the front seats down, so we climbed in through the trunk. He'd climb in and then he'd put the seats up and I would dive over the seat into his lap. We were pretty ninja like. 

Oma would do anything to get a kiss, including putting candy in her mouth. Shopping adventures are always fun! Thank you for all of the treasures Opa and Oma, you seriously spoil us!!

Fun with Oma and Opa

My parents arrived in Kansas 20 minutes after we did (talk about perfect timing.) There was no rest for the weary though we went straight to work unloading, unpacking and cleaning the house. Daddy hung shelves, we decorated, we sorted, and we dejunked. It was a super busy two weeks! 

When we had some down time Jakob and Daddy attempted to play old school Nintendo. It was hilarious!

Oma brought E a park dress (which she wouldn't take off) and a few games. One of which was memory. They had a great time playing it over and over and over. Oma is such a good sport. 

Some days we had to have community nap time. 

 

Duke was really interested in doing his hair with Oma's hair brush and hair dryer. 

Opa and Oma went to the temple and while they were gone we started decorating for Oma's birthday. (More on that in a later post.) Duke sure does love balloons!

Oma bought E Go Fish and E {loves} it! The cards are even shaped like little fishes. So stinking cute! Thank you Oma!

Sometimes you just need some quiet time. 

Our babies are so loved! We are loving having Opa and Oma here!

Hanging Pictures

Once upon a time I saw somewhere (probably Pinterest) a little trick to hanging pictures. The secret... toothpaste. 

Simply put a little toothpaste on the hook on the back of the frame. Press frame against the wall where you would like it to hang. Be sure the sopt with the toothpaste touches the wall. 

Remove frame and take a nail and hammer it into the wall where the toothpaste is on the wall.

Hang and repeat. So simple! 

The house is coming along nicely. Stay tuned for a tour soon!