We were fortunate enough to be able to make a quick trip home over Labor Day weekend. We had planned this for quite some time as we knew this would be the weekend we would celebrate Paul's Grandma and Grandpa Hovey's 60th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, we've come to find out that to fly anywhere into Iowa at any given time costs an average of $500 a plane ticket! You would think we were going to Europe! Since plane tickets into Omaha were 1/5th that much, we opted to fly into Omaha and drive across Iowa in a rental car. Hey, at least we got to skip driving through Nebraska! We saw Abby's brother, Nick, his wife, Erica, and our niece, Leah as we drove through the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. They were headed out of town that same night so it was a quick visit but we loved every second with them! Uncle Paul even got to help teach Leah how to eat some puffs. We then headed onto Clinton where we saw Abby's parents for a couple hours and enjoyed going out to eat and doing some maternity clothes shopping. We then parked at Paul's parent's house that evening where we stayed most of the weekend to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Hovey's 60th anniversary. We had a great time seeing all of Paul's siblings, their spouses, and all of our nieces and one nephew. We enjoyed bon fires, good food, great conversations catching up with everyone, and the beautiful Iowa countryside! We even got a professional family picture taken outside that turned out very well! It was hard to come back to CO after such a short visit but we are always grateful to see family no matter how long or short our visit is.
Abby continues to feel great in her second trimester! Hard to believe she is almost 20 weeks along...that's half way through! We continue to have fun brainstorming names, reading books, taking notes from well experienced parents, and feeling the baby kick for the first time! We plan to find out the gender of the baby October 8th if Baby Hovey decides to cooperate.
The leaves are starting to turn colors out here and that crisp fall weather is beginning which we both love! We have tried to take a lot of walks on the trails close to our apartment to enjoy the season and hope to schedule a weekend getaway trip in the next few weeks.
Grandma and Grandpa Hovey 60 years and going strong!
Our niece, Gracie, playing outside
Our niece, Alyssa, getting help from Uncle Paul while she tries getting around in her flip flops at Maquoketa Caves.
Our niece, Leah. Nick, Erica, and Leah plan to come out for a visit in October and we can hardly wait to have more than a couple of hours with them! We think Leah may be walking by then so we're anxious to see all her tricks!
We met Abby's parents at Flapjack's in Maquoketa Monday morning before we began our trek back to Omaha. It was hard to say good-bye after such a short visit!
Grandma and Grandpa Hovey 60 years and going strong!
Our niece, Gracie, playing outside
Our niece, Alyssa, getting help from Uncle Paul while she tries getting around in her flip flops at Maquoketa Caves. 
Our niece, Leah. Nick, Erica, and Leah plan to come out for a visit in October and we can hardly wait to have more than a couple of hours with them! We think Leah may be walking by then so we're anxious to see all her tricks! 
We met Abby's parents at Flapjack's in Maquoketa Monday morning before we began our trek back to Omaha. It was hard to say good-bye after such a short visit!
