They're Here

The kids are here and things are crazy.  Jami, Megan and Danny, as well as Bryan, Erin, and Aidan are here.  Jami and the kids actually went home this afternoon.  So our household should be calmer tonight.  Wrong!  Aidan is having a meltdown, just like he had this morning at 4:00.  He keeps saying something about a regular cup without a lid and something red...he's so frustrated because we can't understand him.  NONE of us.  Unfortunately the more he cries, the more we can't understand him.  Poor little guy. 

We've had fun except for the two meltdown...oh, I guess there were 3 of them.  He didn't want too go to Busch Gardens either, so he didn't go.  His mom was staying home, so he did too.  Busch Gardens was good.  We got tons of pictures of animals and birds...

Bryan's family goes home tomorrow, so we'll be alone again.

More later...

Soggy Sunday

We all got up this morning and went to church.  We had one of the elders of the church who spoke in the absence of the minister.  He wasn't very good - too bad when you have "guests" you want them to enjoy the experience.  Not so much today!

After church we went to Post Corner for lunch.  That was fun!

Then we went across the street to the beach.  Even though it was raining, we were able to see a bunch of dolphins.  There were at least 7-8 of them just playing in the rain!

This afternoon I took a nap and the family went to the park again.  This evening, after supper, Dave fixed a bonfire (in the Weber grill) and then we made S'mores on Dave's redneck marshmallow cookers!!  Notice the electrical tape!

He's so funny!!

More later...

Saturday with the kids!

Saturday with the kids was short!  They left here at 8:30  or 8:45 for the Cedar Rapids airport, but not before another "photo opp".

 These were taken just before they said goodbye!

My little redhead didn't want to let go of me after this picture was taken...she's the one by Dave.  She really would love to live here.  She said she'd miss her friends, but she likes all of this space!  Sure wish they lived closer!  It was a great visit and they got home safely.  They start school Monday and life returns to normal for all of us!  Yay - my cleaning lady comes Monday, too!  I'll be glad to see her!

The rest of today, Dave went to Habitat and I had a meeting with Juliene and Kathy about Stampin' Up.  We got lots of new ideas and got to try out some new products!  Guess I'll have to get an order ready!!

More later...

Thursday with the kids

Early this morning we took off for Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair!  It was a beautiful day to be at the fair, although at times it was a little chilly if you were in the shade!  I got a sunburn, though, so there was plenty of sunshine!

We went all over the fairgrounds including the Varied Industries building where the kids got about 12 tattoos each!  Understatement of the day..."These tattoos are harder to get than get on!"  Notice the tattoos on the arms!!

We got to pet exotic animals like these baby camels.

 Our friend, Duane Sprouse, let the kids into the pen with his sheep!

 This baby calf was so precious!!

Riding the sky glider was a highlight!!

 There were lots of these photo opps!!

More later...

Wednesday with the kids

We had another fun-filled, action-packed day with the kids!  This morning Dave took the kids to the Habitat House, to get groceries, and to pick sweet corn.  Unfortunately the farmer already had the corn picked, so they didn't get that experience!   By the time they got home with 35 ears of corn, I'd sliced tomatoes and was cooking bacon.  I got the corn on to cook also and we had the best BLT's and corn of the summer!  Danny, who's only 5, ate 3 ears of corn AND a sandwich without tomato or lettuce (a bacon sandwich)!!  The kids loved the corn!

Then we went fishing at Nick's pond.  Oh may...the kids caught so many bluegill that Jami and Dave couldn't get them off the hooks fast enough!  Everyone caught probably 20 a piece!!  Jami and Dave finally started throwing them back in.  There were just tons of them!

Tonight for supper we had ribs that had cooked all day in the slow cooker, sweet corn, and potatoes!  Good food for a fun day!  The fish will be fried Friday night.  Tomorrow is the State Fair day!!

More later...

Tuesday with the kids

This morning Dave had a Habitat meeting and Jami had a 2-hour conference call, so after breakfast the kids and I went outside.  We played bean bag toss, ladder golf, ran relay races in the big yard (them, not me) and did gymnastics (again them, not me!)  Just about 2 minutes before Jami's call was done, we came in to watch Polar Express.  They'd had enough outdoor fun!

It was truly a perfect day today.  Just the right temperature and no humidity!  Loved it.  Our breakfast this morning consisted of scrambled eggs (the ones they gathered yesterday), hash browns, and bacon.  The only excitement was when Danny spilled his orange juice on the table all over my daily meds!!  We got it all cleaned up and I took my meds, minus one that dissolved!!

After Jami finished her call and Dave arrived back home, we ate a small lunch and they all went fishing.  I opted to stay home and mow the yard - perfect day to be on the mower!!  Danny caught the most fish (bluegills) and Megan caught the biggest fish (bass).  A fun day was had by all!

For supper tonight we took in a Canteen and ice cream at Graham's!!  Yum, yum!  Everyone's snuggled in their beds now, resting up for another day of fishing tomorrow and the State Fair on Thursday!

More later...

Monday with the kids!

We sure had a fun day today!  We have a little while this morning where we "drove the tractor" and took pictures of fungi!!

One of us (Danny) got to help Grandpa string fishing poles.

Then after lunch we all went to Craig & Sue's where they outfitted the kids with boots!

They learned how to catch chickens and even got to gather eggs, which we will eat in the morning for breakfast!!

Then it was off to see baby pigs being born and holding those cute little porkers!!

And finally they got to sit in a BIG tractor that drove itself!!

When we got home it was shower time to get the pig and chicken smell off of them and then supper, a movie, and bed before 9::00!!  It's hard work being a farmer!!

More later...