The Duers: A birthday, a baptism, and a build....

We're back....from vacation! It was delightful (being with family in 2 different locations), hilarious (traveling with a 20 month old that is now able to point out every truck we pass during three, different 4 hour road trips), filled with giggles (lots of wrestling on a hotel bed), and exhausting (losing power in the middle of the night and having to share a bed with two snoring boys)!

John headed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for our yearly Habitat build on a Wednesday, while Grey and I headed into Chicago for Graham's 3rd bday and Claire's baptism. Grey was an awesome traveler..I mean, yes, the hilariousness of the truck shout-outs did wear off after about the first 30 minutes of the first trip....but he did so well! He slept well too! And is such a social little guy that he was pretty content no matter where we were. John flew in on Saturday just in time for the fun! Graham's bday was hilarious and Lacey always does such an amazing job with decorating...photo booth and all for this party! Graham barely got through gift opening...because he kept stopping to play with each toy. Happy Birthday Grahamers...We love you tons more than that concrete mixer could ever hold.

And Claire's baptism went off without a hitch...well big brother almost stole the show with his altar antics...but a very nice service the pastors gave and it was so much fun to be with the Schallers and the Hanchaks! Claire...you're one of the reasons every good and perfect gift comes from him!

And then we headed onto Sioux Falls for the rest of the Habitat build. We built three houses in all...well...John's family did...as I built one day. John kinda knows a little more about the building process than Julie...so big shoes to fill in his absence. Sioux Falls has a beautiful park called the Falls (hee hee) and that's where Grey and I hung out most mornings. Surprisingly, there was a mall right in the parking lot of the hotel...and Grey and I never made it there. (My family is dying (of laugher) right now). All in all, the build was fun...we miss seeing our BlitzBuild family after a whole year has gone by. It is hands down one of the most rewarding experiences to be able to build a house for someone to call home...and even more rewarding to do it alongside friends and family. And who ever would have thought that hanging out in a hotel hallway (while a little guy sleeps) with 30 people could be so much fun for that many hours?