Double digits!

Not sure how it is possible to have a kiddo who is a decade old! We started partying Friday night with a sleepover and amazingly they got to bed at a decent time! Then Saturday he wanted to do the horseback ride again this year at Jester park with Aunt Darcie (he let me go along too) and it was a PERFECT day for it! So beautiful! 

Being wise beyond his years, he opted out of the big friend party we offered to instead get the expensive gift he wanted, which was an Ipad mini. Yes, we are finally dialed into technology! We may never see him again!

Cash and I-tunes! 

Thanks to everyone who sent a card, special gift or sweet birthday message! 

His birthday also fell on the Iowa/Iowa State game day, so it was fitting he picked an Iowa State ice cream cake! Now if only ISU would have won it would have been the best birthday ever! 

As Carter gets older and definitely more independent it makes me super sad and happy all at once. Although we butt heads often, I feel confident he is a Godly, respectful, caring, honest, hardworking young man. I got an amazing email from his teacher last week commenting on not only what an incredible student he is but a great helper, leader and friend to everyone he his! It was so heartwarming to hear these affirmations about my son! Love him to pieces! And although I still tuck him in at night and kiss his forehead ( covered in long hair...YIKES) he wouldn't be caught dead letting his friends know this goes on! hee hee! Happy Birthday Buddy!

A very special birthday for a very special lady!

September 4th marked 99 years my amazing grandmother Ida has blessed us on this earth. What's more amazing about this feat is she is a TWIN and her twin brother Ira made the trip from his home in Michigan (with the help of his family) to celebrate this very special day with family and friends. The turnout for their party was so heartwarming and I know they loved reuniting with family they hadn't seen for awhile. People came from 6 states to help them celebrate. Ira's son Stephen read excerpts from a book Ira is writing called From Iowa Soil, a collection of stories of their life as children growing up on a farm in rural Iowa, up to his life now. I love hearing stories of how life was long ago, and the challenges they overcame as well as the changes they have seen throughout history. I can't wait to get my copy of his book! Oh, one of the best stories in the book was told from their mother's perspective (my great grandma) on how she endured 19.5 lbs of babies being born on "Labor Day"  (a state of Iowa record) Yep, my grandma was born first at 10 lbs, with Ira following an hour later at 9.5 lbs, born at home, without electricity or running water or modern day drugs to ease the pain. I never met my great grandma but I wish I could give her a big hug for her bravery and thank her for giving us our grandma and Uncle Ira! 

Don't they look completely amazing? 

My whole family! 

As Ira was getting ready to leave the party to head back to Michigan, they gave each other a hug and said, "God willing I'll see ya next year" I also heard him tell grandma if they live to be 100 they will get a birthday card from the President of the United States! I did a little research on twins and age, and there are 4 sets of twins living in the united states at age 100 or older (102 being the oldest) BUT all of these sets are female/female twins. If they keep it up they may make the record books again! 

First day of school!

Thank you state of Iowa for letting us enjoy our longest summer ever! The kids were originally suppose to go back to school on August 13th, but due to new legislation, it was pushed back until August 24th. We enjoyed every last day before they had to headed back to Walnut Hills Elementary!

Claire, 1st grade Mrs Kennedy/Mrs Rouse (long term sub due to Mrs Kennedy having a baby on August 17th!) 

Carter, 4th grade, Mrs Heiden

Case heading back to Kids Company Preschool and Daycare! He moved rooms after summer session and now has Ms Rebecca! 

The newest Freeman!

On August 22 we headed to Little Paws of Iowa in Rock Valley to pick up our newest family member Mimi! We had anxiously been awaiting this day, even before she was born! We first learned about Little Paws of Iowa through some friends who have an adorable dog from this breeder. I still wasn't sold on getting a dog, it was actually kinda nice not having one for the last year. The kids were relentless and finally wore me down until I gave in. We were put on a waiting list and when she finally arrived we had the second choice of the 8 puppies. Through video and pictures we fell in love with this particular puppy right away and thankfully the people ahead of us on the list did not pick her! They had named her Mimi and partially because we couldn't decide on a name and we kinda liked Mimi we decided to keep it!

Meeting her for the first time!

On our way home! 

She is a mini goldendoodle, so 50% golden retriever, 50% miniature poodle. She should only get to be around 30 lbs and the best part? She doesn't shed! 

This is her favorite place to lay/hide! She won't be able to get under this chair for long! 

She is super sweet and super naughty all at once! I forgot how much work puppies were and am thinking a baby would have been easier! She loves her kennel, has been a great sleeper at night and is doing great potty training. Now if we could just keep her from chewing up our house! Yikes! 

All worn out! 

She's almost 12 weeks old now and weighs close to 9lbs. The kids are doing great with her, making sure she has food and water, taking her out to play and going for walks. I haven't convinced them to pick up poop yet! 

Summer wrap up!

Where o where did summer go? Although summer seems to be hanging with the temperatures we have been having lately! The kids started the summer off with the annual planting of the pumpkin patch at Grandma and Grandpa's. I absolutely love that they love doing this and I think grandma and grandpa get a kick out of it too! We are always getting updates on how the pumpkin patch is coming along! 

In June we "roughed it" with Darcie and Jill for the weekend in an air conditioned camper with a bathroom! 

We opted out of swimming at the beach when we camped as I was a little worried about all the postings of the level of contaminants in the water. So we found this little stream at Jester Park to cool off in instead of risking the yucky stuff in the murky lake! 

One thing that has been on my summer bucket list the last couple of years was taking in a movie at the Drive in in Newton. We finally made it there this summer and it was definitely one of our favorite summer adventures! It was PERFECT night to sit outside and watch Minions and Jurassic World on the big screen! 

Case with the photo bomb during a cut throat game of Cribbage! 

Farkle! 

Patiently waiting for it to get dark enough! 

We made our annual trip to Adventureland on what was the HOTTEST day of the year!! I remember last year we had to wear sweatshirts it was so cold! We only rode a few rides, including the log ride for the last time as it will be torn down at the end of the season :( We spent the rest of the day cooling off at the water park!

We ran into our friends the Waltons while we were there! 

Next came our annual trip to the Omaha Zoo. My parents and Darcie and Jill were able to join us for the fun!

Again it was the HOTTEST day of the year when we went so Case decided to run through the sprinkler to cool off then styled his hair to be "cool" 

Claire, Case and I also visited the Blank Park Zoo so we could take our annual picture by the letter "C" 

Train ride!

The next stop on our summer tour was the National Balloon Classic in Indianola! We had another perfect night to sit outside and enjoy the balloons, good food and family time! 

The night we went happened to be a "Night Glow" which is a must see! 

We hit up the pool and splash pads as often as we could!

Just chillin

Riding the carousel at Union Park

4th of July fun and showing our patriotism!

Watching fireworks with our friends the Froehlichs! 

I-Cubs with the Waltons and Reeds!

Carter's friend Hunter invited him for a day at his super cool Grandma Nancy's house. The boys fished, feed her horses and swam in her pool. How cool is that? 

In August we took a mini vaca and headed north to Minneapolis! Our first stop was the Mall of America and of course the American girl doll store! Claire and I had such a special time there! We had lunch in the Bistro with her doll Isabelle, then we took Isabelle to the hair salon to get a new do! 

I told the waitress we were celebrating Claire's birthday a little late and she surprised her with a mini cupcake she could decorate for her and her doll, complete with making a wish and blowing out a candle! 

She didn't do too much damage as we got out of there with only one bag (although it was a big one) 

Next her and I checked out the Barbie Dreamhouse Experience! This was super fun too! We got a tour of the Dreamhouse then she was able to have her makeup done, dress up and perform on the run way! Every little girls dream! All my pictures of the Barbie Experience are pink tinted! 

While Claire and I were off having fun, the boys went to a movie and then we met up at the amusement park for some rides. We even ran into Spongebob! 

We stayed at the Water park of America hotel and spent the next day swimming with our friends the Kleins! So glad they could join us! 

After a day of swimming we toweled off and headed to the Twins game! Unfortunately the Twins lost but we had great seats with great friends! 

Jaiden and Carter

Claire and Abrie

Last but not least, you know summer is winding down when the Iowa State Fair shows up! We are thankful the state of Iowa decided to push back the start date of school so we could enjoy it! 

The traditional spin art!

We got all but three things crossed off our summer bucket list! Although I'm sad to see summer end, I'm ready for sweatshirts, chili, sleeping with open windows and football!