Back Home for the End of Summer

Zach and Cole
Our best effort to photo all the great grandkids!
Daddy and Zach on the M
Zach in the tractor wheel well

Mommy and Zach on the tractor
Just the three of us!
Cousin Ashley

The cousins
The girls
The Zurliene Family
Ready for the plane ride home
On the plane
Bradley

Megan

Ashley
Aunt Karla
Aunt Margie
With Brett waiting for the parade to start
Contemplating their pulling strategy

We are all back from our trip to Illinois, and we had a wonderful time visiting with everyone, and having Zachary introduce himself to all of his Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. We arrived late Thursday night and quickly settled in. Friday, Daddy went over to the Voss' to drive Great Grandpa's International M and get everything set for Saturday's tractor pull. Mommy and Zach made a brief appearance at the farm, but had to head back to the hotel for Zach's afternoon nap. Mommy and Daddy were able to enjoy a 5th Anniversary Dinner, and get some rest before a full day Saturday.

The tractor pull started Saturday morning and Papa pulled Great Grandpa's John Deere B just before the rain set in. After a lengthy delay they decided to cancel the pull, and try again Sunday. The rain finally stopped and Zachary was able to watch his first parade, the Mascoutah Homecoming Parade. He enjoyed all the floats, and was wide eyed throughout the entire hour and a half event. Too bad he doesn't have any teeth, or he could have enjoyed some of the candy that was so plentifully distributed by all the floats. Saturday night Daddy and all the Zurliene cousins headed out on the party bus and enjoyed a few of the local bars. Always a good time when the Zurliene's show up at any establishment!

Sunday was a family day. After Daddy pulled the M in the morning, we checked out of the hotel and headed to the Voss farm and enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch with some delicious sweet corn fresh out of the field! After visiting with the family for a few hours, and Zachary blowing countless raspberries at everyone there, it was time to head off to the airport and fly back to Colorado.

Mimi and Papa flew to Colorado on Monday and they will be here for the next week to smother Zachary with lots of love and affection. Grandma arrives tomorrow, and Uncle Dana will be here Friday, so it is a very busy and full Zurliene household. Zachary did have an appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon yesterday and GOOD NEWS, he has been prescribed a set of orthotics! Hopefully, he can wear them during the day, and be out of his shoes whenever he is not sleeping. We Thank God for his wonderful progress, and all the small miracles in his life each and every day. We hope you enjoy all the photos, and we will update the blog again this weekend. Much Love and Blessings to you All!! - Brian + Kimmie