Out of Control: AWOI (That's Iowa in 'Iowa-speak')

We went with Scott's family on a 4 day trip up to Decorah, Iowa to visit Scott's Grandma who will be 97 this fall. My father-in-law, Marlin, was raised on a farm just outside of Decorah and still has family in the area. Both of his great grandparents are from Norway and this community is still heavily Norwegian. Once everyone heard the Arkansas crew was coming up they gathered all the family from far and wide for a big family reunion! We spent the weekend hanging out with family, shopping, touring the farm, and learning more about Marlin's childhood!

I thought we would learn a few Norwegian words over the weekend but boy were we wrong. One night Marlin informed us his name is Miehterf Nilram in Iowa-speak. Never heard of this language? It is the fine art of saying any one's name backwards and apparently this is what Marlin mastered in high school instead of the periodic table or calculus! He told us every one's name backwards and the names of many of his high school friends!

The first evening in town we all went to Mabe's pizza with Scott's uncles and cousins. The boys really seemed to enjoy their first experience at Mabes!

And Scott just had to get a shirt from Mabes...

The next day the kids decided it would be fun to play in a pool while the women went shopping. These Arkansas kids didn't realize the temperature of ground water in Iowa is COLD, like 40 degrees. It took them awhile to brave up and most of the time was spent running into the water and quickly running out giggling!

Saturday evening was the big family reunion. We had a room at this great farm where everyone could chat, kids could run and crawl, and we didn't have to worry. Our boys were well taken care of the whole evening by grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles.

Here is Grandma Fretheim with her youngest great-grandkids. We didn't have the teenage ones in this picture!

This picture is just priceless and captured a really sweet moment.

MaMa helped love on two very sleepy boys...

These are the 'older' cousins and Grandma Fretheim.

Everyone who says our boys must be identical obviously haven't seen how strong the Fretheim genes are. These brothers all look just alike! Uncle Ron, Uncle Lee, and PaPa Marlin with their mom.

Marlin spent Sunday taking us around the Fretheim farm he grew up on (it was once surrounded by other Fretheim farms of his uncles as well!). We learned all about corn, barns, soy beans, and the family history. The land is stunning and it was such a cool experience. I have heard stories of this farm since I met Marlin and I was so excited to get to experience it first hand. He helped describe the buildings so the history would come alive to the kids and adults. I think in his next life he might become a tour guide of corn farms!

Marlin gave us a lesson on how corn grows and pollinates.

And the kids tried to hid in the corn...

This is the Halverson farm, which is where Grandma Fretheim was raised. She and Grandpa Fretheim purchased it from her parents in the late 50's. The land the barn is on was recently sold to the person who rents the acreage for farming. He is going to restore the barn and we can't wait to see the finished product!

Marlin took everyone inside and helped explain what the area was used for and where the animal were.

And then everyone went up to the top of the barn.

And down the road is the Fretheim farm where Marlin was raised. They grew mainly corn and soybeans.

We finished up the tour at the church Marlin grew up at. Believe it or not this cemetery is filled with Fretheims, I bet you thought that was a unique last name! The service was even given in Norwegian until Marlin was older. It is in such a beautiful setting and so picturesque.

Marlin explained to Anniston and Treyson about how his father is buried here and Grandma Fretheim will be.

One of the most important part of the trip for us was letting Grandma Fretheim meet the twins. She was so excited to meet more of her great-grandkids and we were thrilled to make it happen. She kept commenting on how much Caleb looks just like Marlin did as a baby so we are anxious to see an old baby photo!