Iowa State Fair 2019

We enjoyed our annual family day at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 9th.  I'm not sure who enjoys it more, Roy or the kids.   

One of our first stops is always Little Hands on the Farm.  

After his 7th year doing this I think he has got it down.  

Choosing an egg from the hen house.  

Helping his sister drive the John Deere up the hill.  

Giving the sheep a good brushing.  

Ready to drop off their produce at the Farmer's Market.  

The children earn $1 for all their hard work and can buy a treat in the store.  

Lunch at the Pork Tent, as we always do.  

Hudson showing off his tattoo collection (of which he got more of in the afternoon).  

Pig farmer Hudson

Pig farmer Greta 

We stopped at the Grocery Bagging Challenge and Hudson was picked to answer a trivia question.  He won a $10 Fareway gift card for his efforts.  

I love the beautiful hydrangeas this time of year, they remind me of our wedding day.  

Checking out the largest pumpkin, weighing in at 698 pounds.  

I enjoy looking around in the 4-H building, its a reminder of my childhood days when I was in 4-H.  The kids like to make the little crafts that the 4-H'ers are presenting/offering.  

Making a cardboard top.

Our afternoon treat spot is the same every year, a milk shake at the Dairy Barn.  

Getting tired at the end of the day.  

A 2-D piece of art that looks 3-D...amazing!  

The John Deere display was one of our last stops for the day.  The kids love to climb on the machinery and pretend to drive them.  

Nothing runs like a Deere...or so they say.    

My favorite picture from the day!  

We logged about 10 hours of fun and over 4 miles of walking so I think we can call that a success!  Until next year...

Summer Sweetness (Part 2)

Here is Part 2 of our random summer happenings...

Last week Daddy was a bit under the weather so I took the kids out to Chick-fil-a to redeem their library reading program free food coupons.  

Our chicken nugget lovin' ISU Cyclone cheerleader.  

We made Forky's (from the Toy Story 4 movie) using supplies we had around the house.  

We made an ice cream stop at Van Dee's, another item crossed off our summer bucket list.  

Pretending to take a snooze in the chairs at the furniture store.  

Last week Friday Hudson spent a day with his Papa Ed and got spoiled with breakfast at the Machine Shed.  

While Hudson was away Greta and I went for a walk and I spoiled her up a sprinkled donut.  

 After dinner story time with her Daddy.  

Working carefully on her stepping stones painting project.  

We have had so many lazy mornings, including art in our pjs.  

Hudson's order of French toast PBB&B (Peanut Butter, Bacon and Banana) at La Mie.  

Greta trying to look a bit more like her Mommy. 

A morning walk with Evie along the trail.  

Playdough fun with Mimi.  

Mimi came for a visit (to help paint the basement) and she took us out for pizza.  

Another garage sale puzzle purchase for Mr. Hudson.  

Our annual summer lunch at Lutheran Hospital with Nana Sue.  

Saying good-bye to a friend from small group who is moving to Georgia.  

Our small group from church (minus a few kids).  

We made some new canvas paintings for the shelves in the toy room.  Greta made a colorful sunshine and Hudson painted an ear of sweet corn.  

Making a big batch of breakfast burritos for Daddy.  I love it when I have a helper in the kitchen.  

Summer Sweetness (Part 1)

This post includes a bunch of random summer memories.  It makes me sad that summer is ending, it's such a sweet time of year for so many reasons.  We are thankful for warmer weather, water fun, popsicles on the front step, less routine, picnics and playtime at the park, summer vacations, grilled hamburgers, sweet corn and watermelon.  Oh summer, please don't go!  

We picked up this 300 piece Toy Story puzzle at a neighbors garage sale for $1 and we were pleased that all the pieces were there.  

New tennis shoes for Greta

and Hudson.  

Our church hosted a swimming party at the Clive Aquatic Center and some of Hudson's best buddies were there.  They were the water slide kings!  

Backyard pool snuggles, splashes and smiles.  

We went to the Des Moines Art Center

when Mrs. Geselle came for a visit.  

We were trying to recreate the picture we took of them (above).  

They know when they put their cheeks together and smile my heart just melts.  

We enjoyed a Patio Picnic at Louise's house, one of our summer traditions.  

We played a round of Pictionary after our picnic.  Hudson drew a picture of "Father."  

A Nerf gun war with friends.  

Greta earned a new Barbie doll.  

On August 3rd Hudson turned 8 1/2.  He chose to go out for lunch at Hana Ramen for fresh ramen noodles, which he gave two thumbs up.  

Greta with her favorite guy.  

The summer has created plenty of morning snuggles in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  

We got a free pass to the Clive Aquatic Center so we enjoyed several afternoon swims on hot days.  

Morning reading times often looked like this (Greta isn't reading yet but pretends to be like her brother)...