1st day of school!

 Yeah for 1st grade! I have to say this year's send off was much less emotional for everyone. Carter hadn't said much about going back to school until we met his teacher at open house a few nights ago and for whatever reason (could be she is a pretty blond?) he has changed his mood into complete excitement over going back. Up early again this year and asking every minute when the bus was coming! This year he gets a locker and a actual desk! None of the neighborhood kids are together this year (may be a good thing) so he will have the task of making some new friends! 

Carter and Mya

 The bus stop gang!

See ya later buddy! 

Iowa State Fair!

Although the Iowa State fair is on our bucket list, it is so special it deserves it own page in our family blog. This year, mom and dad went with me to help out with the big two (remember from previous fair posts, Jeremy is anti-fair) and we had a blast. Ironically, it was so COLD in the morning, our first stop was at the Iowa State University booth to buy sweatshirts for everyone! So 

strange considering the heat we have endured this summer! 

It finally warmed up and we were able to shed our fall gear. Grandma and Claire let their hair fly on the ever so favorite sky-glider. I remember watching from below last year because I was pregnant with Case! 

 A camel ride for Carter!

 A pony ride for Claire!

The kids were quite the butterfly whispers in the butterfly house! They were feeding the butterflies Gatorade on sticks while we were there...see dad, not all fair food is bad! 

No matter how many times they have done this, or how old they get, they always want to go to the "Little hands on the farm" Thankfully they were out of green Cargil hats when we went, so we couldn't add to our collection! 

 Poor Bessie, she really needs a break. 

I think the real reason they like the little farm is the store at the end they get to spend their hard earned money in. They always choose bomb pops. Can't say I blame them! 

Spin Art! I remember doing this at the fair when I was a kid. Dad tells me it was a dime when I was a little. 2 dollar a hollar now! 

The finished product! 

 And of course the giant slide. I have to say this is one of MY favorite things to do at the fair and will probably be bummed when all the kids can ride by themselves one day. 

 Food list: ( now remember there were 4 of us to share!)

hot dogs, pork loin sandwich, BBQ ham sandwich, french fries, fruit, dippin dots, mini donuts, ice cream from dairy barn, lemonade shake-ups. I totally could have eaten more but was just coming off a nasty case of strep throat and hadn't eaten anything for days so my stomach had shrunk! I may have to go back before it is over for something gooey on a stick. 

One thing the kids like to do is get as many temporary tattoos as they can. They don't care what it is (obviously with the big fat Hawkeye on his forehead). Unfortunately we had open house at school the same night so I had to scrub his face off as soon as we got home! 

This year they had an "ice cream cone" decorating contest and the grounds were full of these cute little things. This one was outside the agricultural building. 

I always feel like a whole day there isn't enough and we never see all we want. We did go to a really cool show " The Red Trouser" show and of course saw the big boar and bull and petted lots of cute animals. Thanks again for a great fair state of Iowa! If it isn't on your bucket list it SHOULD be! 

Visit to the Klein's!

Every year before school starts the kids and I head north to visit our great friends the Klein's. We always hit up Como Zoo in St. Paul and this year added Mall of America to the agenda. We spent most of our time riding rides at the Nickelodeon Universe. We ate supper at the Rainforest Cafe and only went to one store..the Disney store! 

Meeting the wonder pets! 

Given Boots some love! 

Steve and the boys tackled all the thrill rides! 

Abrie and Claire in their new jammies from the Disney Store! 

Como Zoo is always a hit. It is hard to believe this is a FREE zoo and it is actually a really good zoo! 

Ah, the new age of technology. I had to snap this picture before we left. When the kids weren't playing, they had an I-pad, I-pod and two smartphones to keep them busy. They probably could all give me a lesson on how to run the things! 

Jeremy spent the same weekend in Kansas City on his annual guys baseball trip. We were all glad to see him when we got home! 

I am hoping a trip to IKEA can be squeezed into our trip next year! Thanks for a great weekend friends! Miss ya already! 

Bucket list update!

We have been super busy! I am proud to say we got 26 of the 32 things on our summer bucket list done before school started today! I think we will be able to knock off a couple of more now that the weather has finally cooled off some! Here is a quick glimpse of our summer fun! 

 Taste of Hope! This is a huge outdoor festival our church puts on every year the weekend after VBS. Free food, music, games, and awesome fellowship. This year the kids were 2 of 5500 kids that attended VBS at Hope! WOW! 

 Freeman family car wash! 

 Blank Park Zoo!

 Warrior Lanes! 

 Mr Serious when the ball doesn't go the way he wants it too! 

 The HOTTEST 4th of July ever! I think the heat index was 110 that day! The kids and Jeremy always make home made ice cream on the 4th. This year's flavor was mint chocolate chip! YUM!

 Waiting for the parade with our good friend Lilly.

 After sweating it out at the parade and park activities, the kids cooled off with swimsuits, water balloons and some sweet corn! 

 Adventureland! 

 We tamed the Raging River! 

We spent the second part of the day at Adventureland's  water park and had so much fun! The have a new wave pool, lazy river and tons of awesome water slides. This will definitely be a bucket list item next year!