New endeavors

Nana and Papa have a lovely horse, Toy. K has been taking lessons and attended her first show today. We learned a great deal. I even learned how to put on the saddle and bridle. We are so thankful to Nana and Papa for giving us this opportunity.

Our state fair is the best state fair...

Our first time in the chicken barn. They were AMAZING!

FABULOUS!

STUPENDOUS!

Not something seen everyday. (a one- man-band)

s and the snakes, an annual pilgrimage.

Another annual tradition.

Each big boar is so special in his own way, and yet, they seen to always be in the same position, asleep.

Summer

Another wonderful summer, flying by too fast. The kids enjoyed Art Camp (with Tiny Circus!) as well as Wildlife Camp in Iowa City, basketball camp, band lessons and a trip to Orlando with S. K took her grandmother's snickerdoodles, photographs and Pepper to the 4-H fair.

K and Pepper. A good learning experience is the best possible outcome! Pepper did not behave as she should have, but K persevered and finished.

A family Iowa Cubs outing.

S's mom's surprise birthday party! Everyone waiting to jump out.

Angie got some great shots of the kids when they spent an afternoon with the Kriegels!

Favorite

July 4th is my favorite holiday. I love our small town rituals and the friends we gather with for our annual traditions. This year the day started cool and rainy but the weather cleared in time for rockets, dinner and fireworks.

We gather for the parade, which goes right by our house.

This year, S brought the deck chairs down to the street. Brilliant!

Todd made rockets for the kids to shoot off. They were awesome! Here they are standing in line, waiting their turns.

A close-up of the action.

Sweet baby

At 2. Time flies!

The pictures always go in backwards! J, A and s at adventureland.

A and s reading the maps waiting for the park to open. According to his mom, J does not need a map. (Just like his dad.)

On the way.

s showing us how excited he is for adventureland.

An 8 year old birthday! I am crazy about my boy!

friends

A visit from my dear college friend Alanna. So good to see her after much too long. s is trying to be part of the action.

My friends Jennifer and Shannon all decked out for their birthday party with a mystery celebrity golfer.

K and Nana working with Toy.

s, the chicken whisperer, with Buttercup. He has already talked to Uncle Carlos and been assured that Buttercup will live a long, comfortable life, spared the carving knife. (Apparently Uncle Carlos has also bonded with Buttercup. smart chicken.)

last day

Our last day of school for 2009 has come and gone .  k and s have successfully moved on to 6th and 2nd grade, respectively.  The kids were up and out of bed easier and earlier than perhaps any other school day this year.  s wore his favorite outfit.  He has commented to me that he particularly likes this shade of green.  As you might imagine, he can give a fairly detailed account of the genetics of red-green colorblindness.  

My friend  and neighbor, Anne, started a walking school bus about 6 weeks ago.  The concept is that children from a neighborhood gather and walk to school with a different parent every day, promoting friendship, physical fitness and using no fossil fuels to get to school.  s and I have both loved walking school bus and am so happy my friend Anne took the initiative to organize it!  Above you see most of our riders (we were missing one on Friday) and the school bus in action!