Thanksgiving in Iowa

On Tuesday, we packed up and headed to Bettendorf, Iowa to see Brian's dad and the rest of the family. We made it there in about eight hours. We thought we made it in pretty good time considering we had to make several stops along the way. Gentry was such a good traveller and slept a lot of the way. When he wasn't sleeping he played with his toys. He only fussed for a short amount of time. We really think moving him up to his new big boy carseat has helped. (The return trip today went just as well.) When we got to Iowa, Gentry warmed right up to everyone. It had been quite a while since he had seen them but he wasn't shy at all. Grandma Tracy had picked up some toys for Gentry to play with and he loved them. Since Aunt Kayloni and Uncle Lance won't make it back for Christmas, they gave Gentry his Christmas present early. They gave him the Elf on the Shelf book and elf doll and an adorable hat and mitten set that looks like a raccoon. I think I was most excited about the Elf on the Shelf because I knew exactly what it was as I had actually been looking at it online the day before. Aunt Kayloni suggested the name Jingle and so that is what Gentry's elf if now named. On Wednesday, we headed over to John Deere Commons to check out the combine sculpture made entirely of cans of food, but first we stopped by to see Aunt Katelyn at work across the street. We took the opportunity to take some family photos in front of the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby and Gentry loved the toy soldier on display. It was just his size. We got so many great photos at the John Deere Commons and Gentry was spoiled in the John Deere store. He got an early birthday present from grandpa and grandma....a ride-on John Deere toy. He had so much fun playing with it at their house and has already been pushing it all over our house since we've been home. After John Deere Commons we went to the Festival of Trees, a huge display of Christmas trees decorated by businesses as a fund raiser as well as awesome cakes, wreaths, stocking and gingerbread houses. We hoped to get a picture of Gentry with Santa but he just couldn't take the excitement any longer and fell asleep 10 minutes before Santa arrived. We decided we had better take him back to the house for a nap. Later that evening, Aunt Katelyn and Uncle Brandon invited us over for dinner at their house. Gentry really enjoyed the ice cream for dessert. On Thursday, we celebrated Thanksgiving with lots of yummy food! Uncle Brandon's parents joined us for the fun. Gentry missed the Thanksgiving feast because he fell asleep right before lunch. (I think he must be going through a growth spurt because he has been napping really well lately.) On Friday, Gentry hung out with the boys while Tracy and I did some shopping. We found lots of great things! Friday night, Gentry and I stayed at home with Grandma Tracy while Brian, Grandpa Mark, Uncle Brandon and his dad, Steve went to a hockey game. Daddy even brought Gentry back a souvenir hockey puck. We tried to get to bed early to get rested for the return trip home today. After a long drive back to Nevada, we are all sleeping in our own beds tonight. We can't wait to go pick up Lucy from the kennel tomorrow. We've all missed our Lucy girl! Here are lots of pictures from our trip!

Excited to make his first trip to Iowa! (Second if you count when I was pregnant at Katelyn's wedding. :))
Being such a good boy!

Playing with Grandpa Mark when we arrived!

Hanging out with Uncle Brandon on the step.

Opening his Christmas present from Aunt Kayloni and Uncle Lance.

Elf on the Shelf!!!

Grandma Tracy showing Gentry his hat in the mirror...so adorable!

He loved Aunt Kayloni's (and everyone else's) jewelry!

The Gentry Shop in Bettendorf!

Napping on daddy!

Playing with Uncle Lance.

With Aunt Kayloni.

Group shot!

At Aunt Katelyn's work before our busy day.

With grandpa and grandma.

He LOVED the toy soldier!

Daddy and Gentry checking out the combine made of cans.

In a tractor tire!

Playing farm.

Too cute!

Family photo!

Talking to the Christmas tree at the Festival of Trees.

Checking out the giant tree made of stuffed animals.

Tuckered out....10 minutes before Santa arrived. :(

One of the fabulous cakes.

Beautiful!This tree was gorgeous!

As was this one!

Three generations of Sandon men!

Trying out his new toy from the John Deere store! Pure joy!

Going for a ride.

Playing with daddy.

Watching the puppy.

Gentry and Uncle Lance matched in their navy with white striped shirts.

Family photo on Thanksgiving.

Everyone at Thanksgiving dinner.

Hanging out with Aunt Kayloni.

Gentry and mommy!

With Aunt Katelyn! (I couldn't get the little stinker to look at the camera.)

Eating dinner with his foot on the table. Some manners, huh? He had both feet up at one point...silly boy!

He climbed the whole flight of stairs by himself...rather quickly too!

Checking out Black Friday deals with Grandma Tracy.

Vroom, vroom!

He was fascintated with this ball.

Playing with Aunt Kayloni.

Saying bye to Uncle Lance. He was headed back to the airport to work. (Gentry was fascintated by the tie on his pilots uniform.)

Napping with Grandpa Mark.

Pushing the doggy around that Grandma Tracy got at the Festival of Trees. (It barked "We wish you a Merry Christmas and flapped it's ears. Gentry loved it.)