August in Iowa means State Fair!!

For the past three years, we have gone to the state fair.  For the last three years we have told ourselves, "This trip should cover the next three years."  This year, however, Olivia is really interested in the things around her.  She is able to do alot of the activities that the fair has to offer. 


The first stop was The Little Hands on the Farm.  The kids were to gather vegetables, seed corn, soybeans and etc. at different stations.  Then they "fed" cows, rode tractors, and sold their vegetables at the farmer's market.  She then earned money to buy something at the general store.  It was cute, don't know if she got the idea, but it was cute.

We then saw the baby animals in the nursery.  She would say, "Aww..cute." at all the baby animals.  They were all puppies too.  I guess we need to hit the books on farm animals.  Walking through the barns she also got to pet a cow and feed the goats.  She takes such delight in everything,  it was so much fun.

We then hit the area of the fair everyone likes....the food. The smells of all the food made it a hard choice for a snack.  She chose her favorite~~ mini doughnuts and lemonade.  

The last thing we did was walk through the Varied Industries building.  She got to see one of her favorite characters in her books.  Clifford. 

She had alot of fun.  I guess we will consider going back next year!

Family Fun

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin's Justin, Julie and Layne came from Norfolk, NE to hang out for the weekend.   We had talked about getting together for a couple of years.  But you know how time goes... it just flies by.  Well, we set this up like in Feb., wrote the dates in the calendar and just went with it. 

We had a mini family reunion with my cousin Heidi and her husband Scott, my brother Jason, his wife Kris, and daughter Ella, Justin, Julie and Layne, and my crew met for supper at Benningan's down by the airport.  It was a good time and the kids had fun running around.  The next day we went to the farmer's market in dowtown Des Moines. It was extremely hot and everyone was out to see what was going on. It was just fun to be out and about. One of the things both Layne and Olivia spotted at the same time was a train ride. The kids loved it.

We then hung out at or house that night to let the kids be kids.  It was great conversation and alot of fun!!!  It would be awesome if they lived closer!!!  Thanks for the great weekend guys!!!

I might as well..

After being inspired by other people's blogs, I have decided to join the blogging world.  Since I have an aversion to Facebook, this is the closest you are going to get people!!! 

To get everyone caught up with the very busy lifestyle we have...(joking).  We have really enjoyed the summer with friends and family.  It seems lately that the weather has either been steaming hot or we would need a boat to play outside.  So being stuck inside has made Josh and I get in touch with our creative sides and come up with crafts and activities to do with Olivia.  

I'm still working at Lowe's.  However, I am working on the westside of town now at the store on 50th & University in West Des Moines.  It has been quite the change.  I left some great people and super support system.  I know with time, I will have the same at this new store.

Josh is still at ING in Des Moines.  He really enjoys his job!! 

We can't wait for the fall and what ISU football has in store.  What? Being voted to be last in the Big 12 has it's advantages, you can only go up!!!