Fun with Family

On the 5th, we went to Lost Island with my parents, aunt and cousins. It was pretty fun except that Drew was CHICKEN of any slide that was dark. Hopefully my mom can send me the video and pictures from the day!

My cousins from Arizona were traveling through so we headed to my parents for a barbeque and some awesome $10 Wal-Mart fireworks aka sparklers. After supper we headed outside for some washers. It started as an adult game but soon the little guys took over. I didn't see it but Drew got it in the box a couple times - better than me!

We also pulled out the croquet and Jason and Chuck took an awful beating my yours truly! Drew and Ally are pyros and completely enjoyed the fireworks and were not afraid.

The Fourth

Every year my Mom's birthday fall on the fourth of July. (that is a Jason joke so you can roll your eyes at him) We typically head to their church for a picnic and waterslides. Every year when we head back I know fewer and fewer people, but usually some extended family is there. Renae and Noel stopped by before heading to Chicago to fly out and see Debbie in Mexico. The Totten family (taught my kids to through Crisbees) and enjoyed the fun filled day.

Jason went with my dad and cousins golfing in the afternoon. I never did get an accurate count of how many balls were "lost." I do know that they almost got talked into a tournament which would have meant another 3-hour round and a 6 pack - woo hoo!

Later we went to Newton to see Grandpa in the care center and eat some birthday cake or pie. We tried to get back to Coralville to watch fireworks with neighbors but we misjudge the dark or people factor. We did see them but by ourselves - we will be better planners next year!

My Baby...

I feel like the worst mommy in the world, but I know that it was for the best. Today Ally had her tonsils out. She did well and is now sleeping. We have to get basically a bottle of water down her (300 mL), go potty and take a walk and then we can go home. Ally wants out of here NOW though.

Doctors and nurses are funny. They can't seem to be on the same page for anything. When the kids were born no one could agree if you should use alcohol on the belly button or not. Today the nurse said no activity for 2 weeks and only really soft foods for 2 wks. What???? I asked the doctor later and he said that she can do/eat whatever she feels like. GOOD because how do you hold down a 5 year old that wants to swim or swing?

So we will see - supposedly the hard days will be this weekend when Kaylee is here. I hope that Ally is the exception and does really well!

Look What We Got

If Chris can plant corn in his front yard - then this is completely alright!

Do you know what it is? I didn't. But I guess last fall our rotten pumpkins dropped some seeds. Do you think it will actually make a pumpkin? Probably not but in my mind it is completely worth trying!

This year I have had quite a time trying to get my flowers to grow - I guess I need to take lessons from my 5 year old! The flowers on the front porch are the third try after killing the first two batches - I think too much fertilizer!

They planted seeds in foam cups in pre-school and at kindergarten round up. I have yet to see any plant come of this type of project, but like any good mother I put it on the window sill and watered it faithfully. She now has 5 stems coming up with 5 flowers all beautiful. It probably helps that mom waters them nightly when she washes the dishes.

City Farmers

My kids love their grandpas! They want to be just like them - even though they don't quite dress the same. Our kids wanted to plant some seeds - actually anytime we have anything that resembles a seed, they want to plant it!

Jason and I had some popcorn the other night and the kids found the bowl the next morning. Can we plant it???? After lunch - hoping they would forget. Big mistake - they didn't forget - I did. Within minutes of the discussion, I picked up the bowl of seeds and threw them away as Jason watch in horror. Good grief couldn't he have said something 30 seconds earlier? You can imagine the ahhhh moms I got.

I popped some more popcorn later in the afternoon and seperate the seeds out - now that is love! They headed out with their shovels, boots and hats to plant in the empty lot next to our house. Drew would dig since Ally's shovel would go in the hard soil and Ally would put in 2 or 3 seeds. This took FOREVER and they refused to play with the neighbor boy since they were working in the field.

After supper they headed back out to learn from the expert - Farmer Willis. He used the hoe so effieciently to dig and cover back up. He also talked them into putting in a lot more seeds.

Today I have had to fend off little farmers wanting to go water the seeds with the hose. Also Ally is quite upset that there are no plants yet!

Blog Stalkers

I must admit that I, Brenda, am a blog stalker. You have links - I check them! I love reading about you family or your funny situations. From Pastor Scott's blog I became intrigued about a love site called Francy Girl.

Well to make a long story short - we were at a wedding where Francy girl happened to be singing. Made me laugh that I feel I have learned so much about her but have never met her. I got enough courage to tell her I her blog stalker. It was fun because she admitted that she was also a blog stalker. During the coarse of the night I have added several new blog friends.

Are you bold enough to admit that you stalk some blogs?

Where is the Love?

I wonder if anyone noticed? After church last week we went to Lowes for more basement stuff. (I do have pictures and am waiting to get good one until all the "stuff" is picked back up.) As were at about the end of the trip, my wonderful husband looks over and says - Is your shirt on backwards?

Of coarse between the petrified and no way looked I checked to find out that I had gone to church early to help set up, sat through church and went to Lowes all with my shirt on backwards. Then it finally felt a little weird so I flipped it around in the aisle before anyone noticed.

Thanks honey for noticing but next time - can't it be before I walk out the door????

Crisbees

Back on the 4th my cousin Joe was playing crisbee with the kids. It is frisbee to everyone but my kids and they are refusing to change! We were playing today in the yard since it was so BEAUTIFUL out - I love low 80s in July. Ally was trying to play a game but she changed the rules every time we turned around. The changes of coarse helped her win.

Some of the odd rules
1. If you throw it up in the air you get a point.
2. If you touch it you get a point - BUT girls get 2 and boys only 1
3. If you catch it you get two points.

Then suddenly she would get 10 points for some odd reason. It changed so frequently that we never new. Jason was overly frustrated, but I was fine - she and I were on the same team.

Once again Drew is slightly a little bit more athletic. Ally can throw it but it takes a lot more concentration. Her throws usually start with a full circle and then hopes that she lets go at the right spot. Drew came within inches of my head but I was taking pictures and not paying attention.

My Little Fishies!

We have been busy and that is a lousy excuse for not blogging. Everyday for the past 2 weeks, we have been heading to swim lessons - oh how I love summer! Drew was in the Tadpoles class and Ally was a Big Dipper. They both learned SOOOOO much and had a lot of fun. I hope to do another session close to the end of the summer.


Ally can float on her back and stomach. She is also starting to do the crawl (scooping ice cream from her teacher) stroke. It isn't pretty, but she is getting it! She is also better than her Daddy already. At home she has been working on diving to the bottom of the pool to get the diving sticks or torpedos. We have been working on using the froggy stroke to do that since it helps us get to the bottom faster. The above picture is Ally's class playing some game. We weren't suppose to be on the deck so I didn't get good pictures of her class since they were on the other side of the pool.


Drew is starting to float but is still hesitant. He is also getting used to hold his breath under water which is quite an accomplishment. He is afraid of bugs or floaties in the water so he is always searching for them to make sure they don't get on him. The picture above is doing "motor boat - oh so slow..." to learn how to kick fast and slow.

A fellow teacher, Jen's, daughter was in his class. Drew and Ella had a lot of fun. On the last day which happened to be on the 4th they were the only ones in class and got a lot of great attention.

The day was a lot of play and free time. My kids love each other and going down the slide together. I am glad they had class on the fourth. Typically Jason would get to see what they did only hear. Since he was off, he got to go with and enjoy seeing what they had done in class.

Super Allie!

I forgot to send Nick my virtual roast for Allie's birthday but it was hard enough for me to keep all the surprises secret! I am not a very good secret keeper - Jason found out about his presents early because I told.

So thank you Allie (and Nick) that we were able to spend the evening celebrating your big day! You have always been a great friend that reminds me there is a different perspective! You are my favorite hypie friend that teaches me so much about organic food and growing things and babies and song writing! Maybe someday I will attempt one of them and have just some of your success. I know that you miss STL, but am very thankful that God brought you back to the promise land so we could be encouraged by you.

So as we grow old together may we share many fun exciting adventures!

And since he is so precious - Mboy and all his cheese!

Best Cake

Best cake taste, but not the best decorated. I received a lot of heat that my creativity was not as good as Jason's - but let's remember who didn't decorate one this year. The inspiration was from Ally and Drew. The "dots" are the dinosaur footprints, hearts from Ally and our special family who loves our Daddy more than anything - which makes this cake a gift from all of us. We grilled on Friday night and ate outside. Who would believe that on Jason's birthday it would be cool enough to do that?

We have had lots of cake in the last few nights and supposedly mine tasted the best. Cakes for some reason at our house go bad - Jason can't eat them fast enough and the kids and I don't eat cake very much. We prefer ice cream! He did have some help (looks like from Aunt Rachel again) blowing out the candles.

We had church meetings talking about the continuing process of the future plans on his actual birthday so we had to grab a quick bite at McDs. We are excited about the future plans and encouraged about the work that has been already completed in the clean up process. This Saturday is a big day for the entire area - if you are in the area or would like to come it is going to be an awesome experience. I am sad that I have watch the kids - they aren't allowed for their safety to be anywhere near the projects.

They have had to rip out everything out down to the studs. Here are some of the adult classrooms.

Church Offices

Debris waiting to be hauled out

All the insulation. Wow!

There are already stories of people coming to know Jesus as their Savior just from the generosity of people around. We were challenged at the meeting to not miss the opportunities to love others and serve the world. The E-Free guru challenged the leaders that so many churches focus on their rebuilding that they forget about the people around them in need - and not just prayer but their physical needs.

He's Older than Me!

Jason turned 32 yesterday - wow I haven't said that out-loud yet and now it sounds really old. Sorry honey! Click on this great card to make it bigger to read. It is so awesome - it might be one of the best cards I have ever read. Way to go Amy. I will put the inside at the end of the post.

This week has been busy as usually with swimming and birthday adventures and other stuff. First off - Jason started a new job this week while trying to finish up at the hospital. He started working for Mercy in Cedar Rapids. He is going to help get the hospital going back after the flood and continue working on their current construction projects. It is an exciting job with some great opportunities in the future. So I guess the tie attire will continue. Guess what he got for his birthday. Anyone need any polos?

The kids decided that they needed to take Daddy to Chucky Cheeses for his birthday. Jason agreed. I did take him to Texas Roadhouse on a date previously in the week so he did get his ribs! We were joined by the Lapointes. It was quite enjoyable and not too busy. Ally was all about games that would give her tickets inwhich she got some stickers, tatoo and a jelly ring. Drew got a dinosaur. Yipppee for cheap toys...
Grant - Isabelle (cousin) - Miles

Eating supper

The kids also wanted to get Daddy special presents. They got to pick them out. They are hoping that Daddy doesn't want to take them to work to play with.

Drew's dinosaur present

Ally's polly pocket present

Jason and the kids from a sketch at Chucky's house.

And the card punchline.

T-Ball is Over

Last Friday night was Ally's last t-ball game. It was a ton of fun and I know that we can't wait until next year. Drew will also get to play. They should stay on the same team which means the same families. We have gained some new friendships in this small Iowa town through this experience that I would hate to lose! Many of Ally's teammates were sibilings so it was fewer people to get to know.

Here is the team picture.


She is trying to ignor her fan club while on 3rd base. She did glance over at us and give us a smile and a wave. Our sweet friends Luke and Betsy Kruse (soon to be) and Scott and Emily Gaskill came to cheer her on.

She played 1st base one inning and short stop the other. Typically kids don't hit the ball in the air, but tonight one of the kids did and flew to short stop and happened to land in Ally's glove. I say "happened" due to the fact that the girl hasn't quite figured that whole process out yet. It shocked her so much that she didn't squeeze and it fell out, but made a fun ending to the season. She is proud of that moment.

She got to be the last batter this inning. She hit it on the first pitch and ran really fast for her homerun!

Crazy Tongue

I am not sure I should be proud of this, but my daughter has an unusually LONG tongue and is also flexible. When you put these two together, you get a girl who can do the "impossible."

Watching her touch her nose is nasty. She just sticks her tongue right up to her nose. I can do it, but it takes a little stretching and practice - still gross - I will only do it for special people.


Supposedly you aren't suppose to be able to do this - I am sure that a few can. I am sure that many of you are attempting right now. She was fairly close so we gave it to her - she wouldn't be able to get the spaghetti sauce off though (see video below).

I did a google search on "tongue to elbow" and found this link. You would be surprised at how many stupid conversations there are about this topic.

Ally's Graduation

I am going backwards, but I have to document all the important event in our life. Someday I will get around to making a scrapbook and it will all be here - right Sandy?!?!?

Ally graduated from pre-school. Big deal huh? Really has anyone flunked pre-school? She wore caps and walked in to Pomp and Circumstance. It was very cute. We have a great pre-school and I will be sad that Drew will not get to go through the Pre-K class. (We will move our middle school to a different town closer to our hourse that year.)

They sang many songs that they have learned thoughout the year. Getting Ally to repeat the songs for us at home is difficult. For some reason she "forgets." Instead she makes up annoying ones that get stuck in our heads - momma ducky momma ducky please saaaaave us....(we can have her sing this annoying little tune for you someday) Ally is in the second row on the far right - click on the picture to make it bigger.

These are a couple of her good friends. Izzi (right) will not go to CCA next year which will be sad. Avery will be in her class.

All these girls will be in the same kindergarten - scary!

Drew has the ability of pesuade any girl to think that he is absolutely adorable. This is one of his girlfriends at school - Amanda. She is his favorite teacher. I know that teachers can't have favorites, but this might be an exception.

When we left school on the last day, Amanda told him not to pick on his sister. In the car, Drew was annoying Ally (great start to summer vacation). I reminded him that Amanda told him not to pick on Ally. Drew's response - no mommy, she told me not to pick on my sister! Great and now he thinks he is smart.

Trip to the Farm

A few Saturdays (before the flood) we headed up to Parkersburg to help clean up. Ally and Drew went to Grandma Janelle's house. They must have had a blast because they smelled bad and were completely covered with dirt. I don't know if they spent more than 10 minutes in the house, but they did sleep very well that night!

I don't know if they realize this but they are sitting on Jason's old truck. Most don't know about this beast - Black F250 stick that I could hear him pulling into the apartment complex. I was so embarassed to drive it - especially when I killed it in the middle of an intersection!

Chocolate Ice Cream

In order to save a few bucks this summer, we have bought cones and fill them with our own ice cream. Did you know that they have colored cones? Drew and Ally each picked a favorite ice cream and the colored cones. As you can tell my adorable little guy loves his chocolate!

22 Minutes

From start to finish our swimming time lasted 22 minutes. The water is a whomping 66 degrees and Ally is still shivering beside me. Drew had a heart-attack and would only stand on the ladder and splash. I was the mean mom who threw him in once but he clung to the sides once he got back screaming. Ally jumped in and played around for a few minutes. Swimming lessons are next week - hopefully we can get Drew confident by then!

Brrrr Cold

On Monday we started putting the pool up. It was easy this year since it was going back on the flat spot from last year. I am not complaining about our temperatures, but it is going to take someone throwing me in to get me in that water. But for the kids - they will probably take a dunk tomorrow and be blue in 3 minutes flat.

Of coarse you have to get your goggles on and water wings to fill up the pool. Ally didn't blow them up with her mouth. Instead she got the air compressor out - hummm she might be around tools too much.

Drew thinks that he needs this to keep him afloat. Not always the sharpest crayon in the box.

Today we headed out for errands and got some new swim toys. Come on over for some fun!