Iowa - Family and Friends

We were fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with family and friends while we were at home. Mom and Dad spent as much time as possible with Carsten and I, and we were able to see my grandparents quite a bit during the two weeks as well. We even got to see most of both sides of my extended family which is a rare treat in October :). Carsten loved seeing everyone and still talks about all of you quite a bit :). I even got to have a couple of playdates with high school friends and see our Madison friends Kayt and Kurt who now live in the area :). What a fun couple of weeks! Here's some highlights:

Uncle Dave and Grandpa Ranschau showed Carsten and I around the farm including getting to drive in with the cattle. Carsten thought that our vehicle (a mule) was pretty awesome and enjoyed seeing the cattle up close. We enjoyed seeing you both and had fun talking! Thanks Uncle Dave and Grandpa!

Uncle Dave took Carsten up close to see the cows.

Carsten enjoyed getting to 'drive' :).

Mom met us at Pumpkinland to play on the play equipment one day after school. Carsten got a kick out of it and we all had a lot of fun :).

Playing on the slide with Grandma....

....is FUN!!!!! :)

I have a photo of him in this from last year too. This year he could stand reach it on his own! So fun :).

Carsten had Grandpa to himself for an entire day since it had snowed. They first put together a tricycle that Carsten got to ride in the unfinished 'new' kitchen (minus all the cupboards and appliances that makes it a kitchen so it was a GREAT playroom). Sorry about that nick in your new paint Mom! ;) The snow was pretty, and Grandpa even took Carsten outside to play in it for a bit. Carsten loved playing with Grandpa - Carsten kept saying 'Follow you follow you follow you' which basically meant, here's a toy, play with me! Here's a few photos:

absolutely love this photo :) 

First snowfall of the year for us.

Grandpa taking Carsten outside to play in the snow!

Some Bob time.

We spent several days at my Grandma and Grandpa Hoogeveen's house, and Carsten discovered the piano room where Grandma gives lessons. We might have a musician on our hands because he loved tinkering with the organ :). Grandma and I got to play several games of Scrabble while Carsten napped at her house - so fun!!

Carsten playing the organ.

Grandma and Grandpa Hoogeveen with Carsten!

Carsten got to play with his Hoogeveen and Ranschau extended family cousins, which he really enjoyed. It's so fun to have family with kids Carsten's age :). I forgot to get my camera out for the Ranschau get together, but here's a few photos of the Hoogeveen get together for Dane's birthday party and for a Halloween outing for businesses in Le Mars:

Carsten and Andrew having fun at Dane's birthday party :).

Playdate at Megan's house for the cousins! 

Carsten and Andrew having fun :). 

Uncle Nate with Carsten! The only way we could get Carsten to leave his Bob the Builder hat on was to have the stocking cap underneath.

Taking a candy break at the ice cream shop!

Carsten and I were also able to see our good friends Kayt and Kurt a couple of times. Yay for good friends in NW Iowa! We also got to see a few more friends, but I don't have photos of those :).

Kayt and Kurt with Carsten!

Well that turned out to be a long post, but we really did pack a lot into two weeks! Thanks for making time for us everyone!