Weekend in Howard

Scott took Friday off from work, and we picked Grandma Brenda up and headed to Howard to spend the weekend with Uncle Terry and Aunt Amy.  He was just at the tail end of harvest, so we got to see "how it's done!"

 

The boys on the way to the field where Uncle Terry was harvesting

With the exceptionally dry year a lot of the corn was lying low to the ground making it hard for the combine to get all of it picked up.  Well that made for some great "corn hunting"!  Grandma makes corn husks dolls with her school kids, so she sent us on a mission to find come good ones!

I know...I'm cool!:)  Hey... it was windy and cold!

Check out those beauties!!

 

Uncle Terry was kind enough to take the boys for a spin, so they could see how it works!

After the boys were done with their ride in the combine, they hopped in the semi that hauled the corn back to the grain bins right next to Amy and Terry's house.  Since I was pretty clueless on how the ole combine worked, Terry took me for a quick spin...very cool!

This handy vehicle quickly became Tyson's favorite!  After a quick lesson from Dad he was all over getting to drive it on his own!

"Check me out Mom!!"
 

Saturday we got up and headed to the big city of Sioux Falls to spend the day!  Aunt Jessie was able to meet up with us to spend the day, which the boys thought was very cool! First things first...we hit Sc.heels!  It is two stories and the boys (especially Tyson) were in heaven.  Aunt Amy and Uncle Terry gave the boys each some money so they could buy something special for themselves...very thoughtful.  Aiden found this puppy at Sc.heel's and he was instantly in love.  He immediately named him Sam.  Tyson found a sport band that he could wear when he plays hockey.

Aiden with his buddy....Sam

After lunch at Pa.nera Br.ead, we headed to the Butterfly house.  We had been hoping to go to the zoo, but it was way too cold and windy to brave that!  The butterfly house was great, and well worth the money...and warm!)  They also had an aquarium section that you walked through before entering the butterfly house that was really cool.  You could pet sting-rays, and they also had starfish.

Aiden checking out the "Nemo fish!"

Giving the baby starfish some love

Aiden wasn't quite as sure

Next was the butterfly house.  Scott had made it very clear that it didn't sound like a very "cool place"..."to just look at some butterflies."  Well, it turned out that butterflies are a lot like cats...if you don't like them...they will flock to you like crazy!")  He was the regular butterfly whisperer!:)  It was actually very beautiful and peaceful!  The room was warm and tropical feeling and there was literally hundreds of beautiful butterflies everywhere!

Getting some lunch

Aiden giving this little guy some loves

See...the butterfly whisperer!!! :)

Tyson trying out his butterfly catching skills

Aunt Jessie helping Aiden find a "little buddy" of his own

Sooo proud

Not sure if Tyson had a butterfly on his finger that flew away right before the picture was taken, or if he was just ready for one to come land:)

Grandma and her boys

Aiden giving his best "I'm serious" face

 The butterfly house was right next to the Outdoor Campus and a huge park, so we quick checked them out before heading back to Uncle Terry's and Aunt Amy's.

Aiden throwing rings around the buck horns

Hold on Grandma!!!

Aunt Jessie and Aiden checking out this contraption

Taking one last ride before heading out on Sunday morning.

 We stopped by the field to say good-bye to Uncle Terry on our way out.

Aunt Amy with the boys

Aunt Amy and Uncle Terry with the boys

We had a great weekend and were bummed to have to go back home.  Thanks again, Aunt Amy and Uncle Terry for letting us hang with you guys for the weekend!  We can't wait until we get to do it again!!