7 states in 7 weeks

Max is on the move. The little guy just doesn't sit still. He decided he wanted to go to Iowa again, visit 2 new states, and meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa Erdmann, so he convinced his Mommy and me to take him on a week long road trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa.

We left on Wednesday afternoon and drove to central Wisconsin where Max met some of his Mommy's friends at Sky Lodge Christian Camp in Montello, Wisconsin. We had a chance to visit with a few family friends and then headed to the Wisconsin Dells where we spent the night in the Holiday Inn Express. The drive to the hotel was insane as we drove through a monsoon as rain and wind pounded the area with near 6 1/2 inches of rain that night.

On Thursday we woke up and headed off to Minneapolis to pick up Gma and Gpa Erdmann at the airport and then on to Great Grandma and Grandpa Erdmann's house. Plans changed slightly when Gma and Gpa got bumped off their flight and put on a flight that came in an hour later. Not a bad delay considering they were compensated with $800 in airfare vouchers. Now they can come visit max more. :) On Friday we woke up and went to breakfast and then back to Great Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch, a walk around their subdivision pond area, a brief game of horse shoes between Gpa and me(winner not to be mentioned), and them some photos before we had begin our drive to Iowa.

Welcome sign at Great Grandma and Grandpa's


Max with Great Grandma and Grandpa


4 Generations - Great Grandpa Don, Grandpa Paul, Daddy, and Max


When we arrived at Great Grandma Wester's house in Iowa, we got all settled in and Mommy and Max went to bed while Great Grandma and Gma teamed up against Gpa and me in a game of Pinochle. I am not the bragging type so I won't discuss who won (the guys won - nana nana na na). But the ladies got their revenge the next night with a victory of their own. On Saturday I went off to play in a golf tournament while Mommy and Max met up with Aunt Lauren(who is currently studying photography) to take some professional baby pictures.

>




Then on Saturday night we had a wonderful time of fun and relaxation with friends and family at Grandpa's pond where we had a camp fire, ate s'mores, went swimming, and enjoyed a spectacular show of lightening far off in the north sky.

Max and Gma by the camp fire


On Sunday we went to church and then down to Aunt Carol and Uncle Gerald's house for lunch. Leighton, Sarah, and Henry were home again and it was great to see them and spend some more time with Henry. He is such a happy little guy. Max also got to meet Aunt Darla and Uncle Loren for the first time. Aunt Carol fixed an amazing lunch as always, and they even had some fresh picked yummy spectacular scrumptiously delicious Iowa Sweet Corn. Ummmm Ummmm Good!

On Monday we made the trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. South Dakota officially became Max's 7th state he has visited in his 7 weeks out of the womb. We enjoyed the day around town, went to Falls Park, and spent some time shopping so Mommy could find a dress for a wedding she will be in in October. We even ate lunch at Taco Johns. They brought back the Sierra Chicken Sandwich which is a favorite of mine. I don't know why they ever took it off the menu, but I am glad its back. For those of you not familiar with Taco Johns, here is the link ( www.tacojohns.com )I strongly suggest you visit your nearest TJ's and try the Sierra Chicken Sandwich, potato ole's, and a churro. For dinner we met up with Ryan and Heather Petersen for some great Italian food and yummy bread pudding at Johnny Carino's.

Family at the Falls


On Tuesday Gpa, Uncle Chris(Bubba), and I played another 18 holes of golf. It wasn't good golf, but it could have been worse. Besides, any day on the golf course is better than a day in the office. After golf we went home for lunch, packed up our things and headed down the road back to Illinois. I think Max really likes Iowa. He seems like a good Iowa Boy.