Our Week of Summer Fun...

Since I'm caught up on the blog (I may be just as amazed as you guys are) I am looking at the pictures on my phone from this past week.  Our summer days have been packed full of fun activities, time with friends, doing errands, and spending time outside in the water and the park.  

Sunday

It was a hot day so we made a family outing to the pet store, to look at all the animals.  Thankfully, we didn't take anything home with us.  We then ALL FOUR of us went to the grocery store.  :)  

Monday

Smiles from these two cuties in their pjs got my week off to a good start!

After nap/rest time we met Nana Sue at the "Tiger Pool" for an afternoon of swimming and fun.  Hudson and Nana's favorite part was going down the water slides.  After swimming we enjoyed a picnic at a park and had a few minutes to play.      

In the evening I hosted some ladies for a time of prayer and blessing for my dear friend Allison.  We ate dessert too!  :)  She is due August 21st with baby boy and we are so excited to meet him.  

Tuesday

We ate sweet corn, a favorite summer food at our house.   

Wednesday

Every summer the kids and I coordinate a day to have lunch with Nana Sue at her work.  We eat in the cafeteria at the hospital and met a few of her coworkers.  

Thursday

Our Park Play group met at a splash park and both the kids had a blast in the water.  One fish...two fish...sweet fish...silly fish!    

Friday

Greta and I went for a walk and she appeared to be more interested in going for a bike ride (wearing Mommy's helmet).  

Saturday

We had our annual Block Party on the street.  This is one of Hudson's favorite evenings of the summer because they close off the street and the kids can play and ride their bikes out in the street.  There were games, prizes, bubbles and lots of treats for the little ones.  

We are so thankful for these summer days...full but fabulous!  

a colorado wedding

Roy made a quick trip to Colorado Springs with his dad, brother and grandparents to attend his cousin Josh's wedding.  It was two long days of driving but I think Grandma Mary was pretty happy to be sitting between these two handsome passengers.  

Friday afternoon naps on the road...

Stopping to refuel along a random Kansas highway...

The three Swingers in their shades ready for the wedding to get started...

The wedding took place in a gazebo in a park.  

Stan, Karen, Mary, Mel, Ed and Becky 

Aunt Donna and "her girls"...

Uncle Stan, Aunt Donna with their kids...

The dessert table...

Lunch was BBQ from a food truck, Roy was thrilled!  

Saturday after the wedding Ed, Ben and Roy made a quick trip to the Air Force Academy.  

They enjoyed more food and family time on Saturday evening and then hit the road for home first thing Sunday morning.  Roy was thankful for the time with extended family and the opportunity to celebrate with Josh and Noelle.  

A Mimi Week...

Last week Thursday afternoon the kids and I left for a weekend trip to NW Iowa.  Roy went to Colorado for a cousin's wedding so the kids and I took the opportunity to visit my parents.  This was my first time taking the kids by myself for the 4 hour trip and to my surprise the were great travelers and we made it with not much whining, thanks to the DVD player, snacks, books and a super helpful big brother.  

On Friday, mom blessed me with a big chunk of time to work on some projects.  I also had time to read and journal.  I did lots of computer work and got a good start on Hudson's preschool portfolio.  This time to rest, work and relax was encouraging and productive...thanks mom!  

On Saturday morning we visited Aunt Marilyn and Cousin Ainsley.  We showed up with a donut for the birthday girl and these three cuties got some too!  

Girls and bows, cousins and hugs...the sweet things that Saturday mornings are made of.  

On Saturday afternoon Hudson and I hit up "Mimi's pool" for some sunshine and splashing.  Greta didn't cooperate with an early nap time so she missed out on the fun and Hudson and I had a "pool date."  

On Sunday evening Greta and I headed back home, to Waukee.  Hudson spent a few more days with Bapa and Mimi, getting lots of extra love and attention.  Greta and I stopped for some dinner on our way home.  I am so thankful that she was an excellent traveler, even without her big brother riding next to her.   

Hanging out with Uncle Ryan after lunch on Monday at Bapa and Mimi's house.  

Greta got to watch her own choice of a TV show after nap time, since Hudson was gone.  Boz (the big green bear) is her favorite.  We didn't let Hudson watch TV until he was two years old...we kind of threw that out the window with kid #2.  Ha!  

 Mimi treated us to lunch on Thursday and these two handsome smiles made for a great lunch date.  

I am so thankful for my mom and the many ways she loves, encourages and blesses our family.  

Backyard fun in the pool with Mimi on a hot hot afternoon.  

The way Greta says, "Hi Mimi...Hi Mimi" in her sweet little voice melts Mimi's heart.  

Hip Hip Hooray for park play!  

Mimi and Hudson like to play restaurant because he can really makes yummy food.  

We love you, Mimi!  Thanks for a week full of blessings!  

Felix Grundy Days

Last weekend we made our 2nd annual trip to visit the Steenhoeks in Grundy Center and took in the festivities of their small town celebration, Felix Grundy Days.  On Saturday morning Roy (and 3 Steenhoeks) ran the 5K race.  Roy completed the run in 22 minutes 35 seconds.  My man has still got it!   

Checking out the items they had for sale in the "market."  

Hudson was excited about getting a balloon animal hat, he remembered the clowns from last year.  

In the afternoon, while Greta napped, the boys and I enjoyed some time at the pool.  A summer swim on a hot day is so refreshing.    

Taking a break while soaking in some more sun.  

The parade started at 4:00.  This was our 3rd parade of the season and Greta has figured out this fetch and eat candy thing.  Quicker than we could get to her she snagged up a sucker from the street, ripped the wrapper off and got busy licking.  Have at it little one.  :)     

Hudson was most excited about seeing the red and green tractors, as well as collecting as many of those rubber bracelets that he could fit on his wrist.  

Some of the parade crew...

Greta girl and Mrs. Geselle, two of my favorite ladies.  Its so fun to see Geselle now care for my kids, as I babysat her kids many years ago.  Our friendship is a treasure and I thank God for its constant, over the many years and different seasons of life.    

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July with family...what could be better?!  We started our morning off with a parade in Slater.  The little ones looked awfully cute in their red, white and blue.  Clara did a great job waving at everyone in the parade, Ellsy loved taste testing the candy, Hudson was an aggressive candy grabber and Greta just soaked it all in.    

Ellsy Lu is ready to get this party started!  

Greta stayed pretty close to Mommy or Daddy when the loud machines/trucks went by.  

After the parade we headed to Ames for a family wedding shower, to celebrate with Elisa and Carter.  Elisa is Roy's first cousin.  The happy couple is getting married in October.    

Lynn and Jacy coordinated a cream can dinner, a yummy and creative meal that was perfect for feeding a large group.  

The simple table decorations came together easily with a patriotic color scheme.  

Sparklers for the guests to take home...

Grandpa Ells chatting with two of his grandsons, Jon and Ben.  

Hudson was excited to taste his first bites of summer sweet corn.  

The first table...

And the second table...

I was in charge of the desserts and made an angel food cake with berries trifle.  

Aunt Jenna got some "fireworks" for the kids and they had fun throwing them on the driveway.  I love their facial expressions here.    

Aunt Jenna getting lots of love and snuggles from her 2 daughters and 2 nieces.  Precious!      

Greta doing sparklers with Daddy's help.  

Taking a walk down to see the horses...

Clara was eager to help feed the horses and Aunt Ann was showing her exactly how to do it.  Hudson preferred to be more of an observer.  

Before leaving town Roy and I took the kids to Iowa State's campus and walked around with them to a few of our favorite spots.  Roy and I had our first date on campus, our first kiss on campus, and he proposed to me on campus.  

Hudson wanted us to take a selfie with him.  :)  

So amazed by this kid and thankful for the many ways he blesses us.   

Me and my girl!  I hope she is always so excited to be with me.  :)    

I never was a student at Iowa State, but its still a special place to me.  The years I spent in Ames will forever be close to my heart.  

The campanile...

The bench we sat on to enjoy our first Dairy Queen date.  We later had our first kiss on this same bench.  So thankful God brought us together.