Summer in Iowa

Well, this was a first for us. We were actually able to go to Iowa during a month where there was not snow in the forecast! However, August is waaaay hotter in Iowa than I would have ever guessed! But, we did have a great time. Jason and the boys drove up on a Friday while I was on a retreat, and then I met them on Sunday and we all drove back together on Tue night. Jason and the boys got to spend time with Grandma Mildred, and then we all stayed with Wilbur (Jason's Dad) on Sunday-Tuesday at the lake in his camper. It was great!

We were right on the edge of the lake and it was so beautiful. Don't tell Jason, but it makes me want to buy a camper and spend lots of time lakeside! Oh well, maybe in a few years. There was lots of fishing done, a nature hike that didn't last very long due to whiny humans, bike riding, and s'mores. It was a very good, relaxing trip.

I just love this series of pics, Papa just couldn't stop blinking...but check out Carson's face in every one-that child cracks me up!



The fave sport of the weekend was fishing. Dalton fished his little heart out. He caught 14 fish! Carson tired of fishing pretty quickly (I don't blame him). They did ride their bikes alot, and Carson started practicing some stunt riding. (I am thinking I would have preferred him to take a little more to fishing)




Uncle Jeff and Carson fishing

If you look closely, this is a picture of a beehive. And if you look even closer you can see a fishing line caught up in that tree right beside the beehive. Needless to say, the bees were not happy! But, it was an opportunity to see an actual beehive!


Breakfast Lakeside


Family Pics

Gulf Shores

We went with our friends Suzie and Nathan and their girls to Gulf Shores, Alabama last week for our family summer trip. Needless to say, we had a blast! I am including the best pictures, but be warned...there are many!

The first 2 days there, it rained-not too bad the first day, but on Tues-it was a downpour! So, we drove to Pensacola and went to the Naval Air Museum there. It was really neat, and the boys had a blast! I also have a little bit more history knowledge now than before I left. LOL




We went on a dolphin cruise (which is really just a boat ride out to see some dolphins jump around). We loved it! Had tons of fun! We did this same ride 3 years ago, and it is absolutely worth every penny! Ofcourse, after we did the cruise, we could see dolphins jumping around in front of our spot on the beach! Both Jason and Suzie were making comments about how we could have saved $50! (They are a lot alike!) Whatever-we loved every bit of the experience!





I love how well the kids played together, I miss being able to say "go downstairs and play in the sand-we'll see you in a little bit"!




If you are wondering about the circling birds, this is what happens when you throw out goldfish crackers around a resting Amber on the beach! Hmmmm...Nathan thought he was funny!



And of course, we had to take the obligatory "Family Beach Pics"!






There's so much more, like the boys boogie boarding, and hermit crabs, but I will have to add those another time...this is way too many photos to expect anyone to look at in one sitting!