Pool Day

Grandma & Grandpa Jerome and Hallie & Phoebe came out for the day to swim. Even Grandma got in the pool!

Heat Wave

We have had a couple hot days this week so we have been spending lots of time in the pool.


Henry got his water proof cast off in the beginning of the week because it was about to fall off! Thankfully, it was replaced with a water proof brace!

Lou and Henry waiting for Ben to jump in and play SHARK!

Cleo LOVES the water. We spent $50 on life jackets trying to find something that would work for Cleo. Neither of them worked so we gave the ol' floaties a try and sure enough . . . she's ready to swim!

Spiffing up the New Bike

Story Time . . .

Henry and Cleo style!

Our Iowa Adventure PART THREE

The day of the antique fair was HOT! So the kiddos were looking forward to a fun day at the amusement park/water park. 


We headed back to Des Moines and checked into the Adventureland Hotel. Hallie, Henry and Phoebe hit the pool immediately! I had to pull them away for a quick bite to eat and then off again to the pool.


I headed back to the room for a much needed shower and some alone time.


We all shared a room which was fun. Lots of stories and giggles as we laid in our beds. 


The next morning we hit the park.

Unfortunately, Henry wasn't allowed to do much because of his cast.  I had no idea that there were going to be so many restrictions with a cast. UGH! 


Henry was a good sport though . . .

This duck made national news by laying her eggs in a planter, right near the entrance of Adventureland Park!

A couple more pictures from Adventureland Park . . .

Henry having to look away from a ride we were watching. It was making him dizzy!

Kevin being funny!

Hallie in the crazy mirror hallway

Our Iowa Adventure PART TWO

On Saturday we got up and headed straight to the Antique Fair! Everyone was well rested and ready to go. 

Booth after booth after booth . . . you name it, we saw it! 

Henry had ONE thing on his list . . . a banana seat bike. And he found one! It was the only one we saw all day. It was in great shape and the price was right! He was so so excited!

Hallie bought a necklace with a vintage typewriter key attached to it. Phoebe didn't find anything she couldn't live without and Kevin found something that he was very excited about . . . a bright yellow golf bag with a great price tag. FIVE BUCKS!  I bought a few little things, but had the most fun taking pictures. 

Here are a few of my favorites . . . 

I think Henry, Kev and I could have walked all day, but the girls were done after 5 hours. It wasn't their most favorite part of the trip but they were good sports!

Our Iowa Adventure PART ONE

Hallie, Henry and Phoebe had the back of the van all organized and ready to go! The table was up, everyone had a blanket and pillow, their dsi's were charged, the movies were chosen . . . 


First stop: Cabella's in Owatonna, Minnesota Uncle Carl was on his way to Wisconsin so we thought it would be fun to meet him for a picnic lunch.

Second Stop: Clear Lake, Iowa


1.  Fort Custer Maze 
We drive past this every time we go to Missouri/Iowa and have never stopped.  It was a HOT day, but not too hot for a run through a maze! We made it through in less than 45 minutes (which is the average).

2.  The Buddy Holly Crash Site
The kids thought I was crazy, but they ended up thinking it was pretty cool! The glasses sit on the edge of the road, and then we walked into the field about a 1/4 of mile to the actual crash site. 

3. Clear Lake Public Beach
Hallie, Henry and Phoebe had a blast at the beach. We had another picnic for dinner and then to top of our day, an ice cream truck made a stop at the park! So fun to see all the kids running for ice cream!


We were on no schedule so it was fun to take our time and just enjoy the day!

What's new with Cleo

She loves to smell the flowers.

She can say: Mama, Daddy, Henry, stop it, Ben, swim, swing, up, eat

Loves the Mickey Mouse show-her little face just lights right up when it comes on.

Always want to be "side" (outside)

Loves to "organize" ie rip through every drawer!

This is Henry's first year of traveling soccer. It's been so fun watching him . . . he loves it and it shows. He has a GREAT coach too!

This past weekend was the last big tournament of the season . . . his team was really starting to click . . . and then Henry had a mini collision with another player . . . he came off the field crying so grandma Sue went over to assess. His arm hurt, but he shook it off and got back on the field. But about 20 minutes later the tears started again so we headed to the ER . . . yep, another broken arm!

Today, Henry got a super cool cast from Dr. Dana Dahl.  He requested a red, white and blue cast for 4th of July . . . Dana suggested the stars! 

I love that it's water proof! I think that might make the next 4 weeks a bit easier.

Cleo was very busy . . .  organizing drawers, trying to get up on the table with Henry, climbing up into the chair and then on top of the garbage can . . .