Remsburg Cousins Camp

Every year, we get the amazing opportunity to send our kids to the farm with their cousins! This year, the timing was just perfect....it was right after Ely and Joe and I were emotionally spent on the children! A few days of R&R with no real "plans" was just what the doctor ordered! I met a friend for drinks, met up with cousins, we shopped, we tried a new restaurant, we hung out, caught up around home, did some yard work...it was great. Nothing big accomplished but it was just nice to breathe and wake up late and enjoy my coffee....every morning, I sat and just enjoyed my coffee. What a treat! What a great few days to re-invest in our marriage!

Cousins camp was filled with lots of togetherness! Art time, ranger time, BB gun time....

And, lots of time with grandparents and great grandparents, too! I love that!

And, going out for Mexican, and ice cream treats, and lots and lots of swimming!

Lettie isn't quite old enough for cousins camp but some day....it will be here before we know it! So appreciative of these few days of cousin time!

Remsburg Cousins Weekend

Our annual cousins weekend came and went in a whirlwind.

Friday night: Poolside at my house....I made a bunch of appetizers, drinks and we sat around and talked, and eventually made our way to the firepit! We had amazing weather and it was a low key night. Kim stayed with me at my house; and Jenny and Kelly stayed with Heather.

Saturday morning: Went to Grandma Phyllis' house with the hopes of cleaning her garage and house. However, when we got there, she refused to let us clean. So, instead we went into Lake City and visited Gma Engstrom at the nursing home and then went to the newest Mexican joint in town. It was great. We then each got our "allowance" from Gma Phyllis and we went to Carroll shopping, before heading back to Des Moines.

Once in Des Moines, we changed and got ready to go out to eat. We went to Gastro Pub for a long, delicious dinner. We then went back to the hotel and we were all asleep by 9:30! We were up and at 'em Sunday morning again!

Here are a few photos from the weekend....

Remsburg Cousins Unite

We try to get the little Remsburg Cousins together once a summer. This year, it was kind of tough because our family schedules were booked, and we didn't plan in advance and Jon and Kim's family had a lot of illnesses/doctor appointments/stresses in their lives. But, despite it all, we did get everyone together to swim one day. And, then Jenny and I took our kids to Lake City for a day! Even though it was a really short two days....it was good!

The Lake City trip included a visit to Jenny's grandparents, a visit to Gma and Gpa Bruggeman, lunch at my mom and dad's, a visit to Rainbow Bridge, the cemetery, the high school, the local park, the local town square and a woodworking shop that my Gpa helped in. Although the trip WAS really fun and nice...it was also kind of sad. Life has just changed for all of us over the years....sick and ailing grandparents, loss of parents, uncles, grandparents, hurting parents.....it's just hard being witness to all of the hurt. But, it was one of those days where we drove back to Des Moines just thankful that we took the time to do it. It's also good for my kids to see us loving on our grandparents -- cuz I hope they follow in those footsteps some day!

It's always good to go home....so thankful for the many grandparents still in my life!!

Annual Remsburg Cousins Weekend

Every year, we have the annual cousins weekend in Des Moines. Here's a brief summary of what we did!

Friday night- Mexican night at Holly's

Jenny and Kelly- stayed at my house

Aubree and Kim- stayed at Heather's house

Saturday, April 1-

9:30- head downtown to shop!

Ate tacos (I cannot tell you enough to never order lemongrass tacos)

Noon- Went to Escape Chambers! We escaped with minutes to spare!

Head back to West Des Moines for a little shopping

4 p.m. - Went to Draught House to watch basketball, drink and eat

Everyone stayed at a hotel. It should be noted that Holly and Kim slept in a pullout CHAIR. And, in the middle of the night, Kim went to the floor.

Sunday, April 2 - Everyone headed home

Here are some photos of the weekend! Sadly, I didn't take nearly as many as what I usually do! : (