Night Out

Kurtis and I had the priveledge to go out for dinner and miniature golfing with a group of friends on Saturday night. Farm Grandpa & Grandma watched the kids for us and had them nicely sleeping in their beds by the time we got home (THANKS!).
It was a great time, especially not getting interrupted by the many little kids that are usually running around us. Jaren is the oldest and then we go all the way down to 2 month olds so we were all ready for a nice break. We ate at Court Avenue Brewing Company. The food was delicious and the company was great. We ended the night miniature golfing. Kurtis and I did not do so well. Jaren was very disappointed in us the next morning when we told him we came in last and second to last! :) Oh well, it was a great evening and we can't wait to do it again sometime soon.

Most of the group minus a couple of the photographers.

One week down...many more to go

Well, Jaren has just completed his first week of school and it was a success! I was a little worried about how he would react because he hasn't wanted to be very far from me this whole summer. He did great and couldn't wait to go back. When he got in the van today after school he asked, "How many days until I get to go back to school?" I know this enthusiasm won't last forever, but I'll take it while I can. He has a great teacher, Mrs. Ruth DeBruin and assistant, Mrs. Harris. They have their hands full this year with 26 students! I know he'll have a great Kindergarten year.

Jaren on his first day. He was asked by his teacher to catch some bugs while we were camping so that is why he is bringing his bug catcher along to school. :)

Here are the kindergartners getting ready to go back to their room after chapel.

Camping

This past weekend we went on one more camping trip before school started. We went with my parents, sister and family and my cousins. It was a ton of fun and the weather was absolutely perfect. The kids had such a great time playing together at the playground, in the disgusting water (Lake Red Rock is not the cleanest of lakes) and climbing Cordova Tower.

Jaren holding his cousin Drew

Little Miss Lauren
Getting ready to "blast off"
Grandpa playing Bocce Ball with the grandkids
Luke & Jaren climbing the Cordova Tower
Bethany helping take care of Lauren
Having fun with the flashlights
Grandpa's "magic" fire (it's hard to see but there are many different colors in the fire)
Piling on eachother at the bottom of the slide
Watch out...here I come

I have many more pictures I'd like to share, but nothing is cooperating for me tonight. I'll see if I can get it done tomorrow.

IA State Fair

Thanks to Kurtis getting free tickets for the fair this year, we took Jaren & Bethany. This was their first time and they had a great time. Their two favorite things were the Little Hands on the Farm and the sky glide (even though it took Bethany a little while to warm up to it). We also got some free mid-way tickets and tickets for Ye Old Mill (thanks Tim & Lonita). This just added to the special treat of a day.

This one's for you Farm Grandpa!!! Jaren thought it was very funny. :)

Bible School - Friendship Trek

Last week Jaren & Bethany enjoyed going to Bible school every evening at one of the local churches. They had a great time and couldn't wait to go back each evening (this is a complete contrast as to how the last Bible school time went...lots of crying and bribing to get them to go ;).

They had a camping/hiking theme which is right up their alley. The church did a wonderful job!

On the last night they had a little program followed by supper and other activities for the kids.

Jaren waiting with his class...he was on the green team - his favorite color!

Bethany walking out with her class. She was having so much fun!

The petting zoo. Jaren's laughing because one of the ponies just licked his arm.
This is all the closer Bethany would get to the puppy. :)

Erica enjoying the kittens and bunnies.

They had pony cart rides for the kids.

I'm growing

Erica just had her 18 month check up today and is a healthy, active little girl. She weighed in at a whopping 19 lb 12 oz (5%) and was 30-3/4" tall (25%). She is just a little peanut with a lot of spunk. :)

Slip 'n slide

Just thought I would post a quick video of the kids going down the slip 'n slide. It will play side-ways, so just lay on your side as your watching it. :)

Busy, busy, busy

Well, we have not had a problem this past week with staying busy. Between apples, sweet corn, extra kids, family reunion, the races, swimming and a birthday party our week flew by.


I finished up with the apples that are ready by attempting to make and apple pie. It was a little under cooked the first time Kurtis tried it so I popped it back in the oven and I think it came out okay---not sure though since over 3/4 of it is still sitting on the counter. :)



Jaren had a couple of first time fun events this week. He has been having a little bit of seperation anxiety lately so he needs to get away from mom every now and then. Life's great when mom's around, but he doesn't like to do anything without me. :( Kurtis took Jaren to the races in Osky on Wednesday night. He had so much fun that as soon as they were home he asked when they got to go again. I'm not sure if it was the races or the yummy treats daddy bought that makes him want to rush back. Jaren also got to go to his first friends birthday party. Our cousin Carter turned 5 this week and had a fun sports themed birthday party. Jaren had such a great time.



Friday night we spent at the Pella Aquatic Center with cousins Luke, Reagan, Kenzie & Levi. The kids had a great time on the lazy river and the tube slides. Jaren loved going off the board also. Saturday was spent doing some garage saling while Jaren was at his party and then having fun on the new slip 'n slide Grandma VM bought for the grandkids.



This week I'm hoping will be a slower week other than the kids having Bible School every evening and sweet corn getting ready to be frozen.

Erica lovin' her sweet corn!

Bethany helping husk the sweet corn. The kids love husking the corn...I guess they don't realize it's work yet. :)
Jumping G
Luke attempting the slippery turtle.
Sweet Bethany!

Bathing beauties...Bethany & Reagan

Me and my brother

Me and my sister

This is Erica's way of playing in the slip 'n slide

"See ya later"