Iowa State Fair 2012

A few weeks ago my mom came up and we all went to the fair! This was Wes's first trip there. Quinn has been every year since she's been alive! We left right after breakfast and had a nice, cool morning at the fairgrounds. The kids were great and the food was good; another fair trip in the books!

Riding a pony with Daddy. These horses looked so big next to tiny little kids!

so brave!

Quinn and Daddy up at the top of the big slide (can you spot them?)

They had a blast on this!

Turtle Sandbox

We recently got a hand-me-down turtle sandbox from my sister. I don't think we are going to fill it up with sand until next spring, but the kids are loving their new toy anyway!

Come back, buddy!

so very handsome

My boys

A special treat

When the kids and I were at my parents' house last week, we made sure to head to Dairy Queen so Quinn could get her first Denison burger! It was the perfect size for her, and she gobbled it right up (with plenty of ketchup, of course). Too cute for words. :-)

Wordless Wednesday: everyone in the pool!

Busted!

Like most moms, I know that if my kids are being too quiet, they are probably up to something either extra-naughty or extra-cute. The other day Wes found his way into his sister's dollhouse and had a blast. It is just his size. ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 4th of July!

My little firecrackers!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day! We spent the day relaxing and staying cool and spent the evening enjoying good food and great friends. Quinn let me curl her hair for the BBQ, and even though the curls fell flat in no time, I was so proud of her for being such a big girl!

Zoo trip!

A few weekends ago, my parents treated us to a day at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Quinn is very into animals right now, and it was so special to see the zoo through her eyes. She'd never been before, so she was definitely in awe! Even though it was a hot and crowded day, my kids did wonderfully.  You will notice that all of these pictures are of Quinn from behind. Like I said, I just love watching her learn and observe. We can't wait to go back again!

In the jungle with Daddy, checking out some crocodiles!

LIONS! What she'd been waiting for all day. :-)

Gotta wear shades

Papa pointing out some aquatic life

Week at Grandma and Papa's...

Last week Randy traveled to Detroit for work, so the kids and I seized the opportunity to go to my parents'! Quinn is absolutely crazy about her grandparents and had a wonderful week! Wes and I had fun, too. :-)

One of her favorite chores: feeding Grandma's turtle!!

Watering flowers...

"Hi, Orangey!"

Early-morning turtle chase (yes, around the kitchen floor)

Wesley's turn!

Feeding the horses with Papa

Country girl

So brave!

We had such a great week. I took hardly any pictures because my kids were being so cute and just enjoying small-town life. We took lots of walks, played at the Westside park, went out to eat, and just soaked up the summer.

Thanks for a fun week, Mom and Dad!!

bikini babe on the loose...

here she comes!

There she goes!

Always time for snack break. :-) Love her Buddha belly!

Recent trip to the park

The other day, Randy, Q, and I ran a ton of errands in Waukee. The "old" part of town really reminds me of being in Manning or some other town like that, so I love it. One of the best things is Centennial Park, which has this neat old covered bridge. It was such a pretty sight that I had to stop and snap a few pics!

                                                    Daddy and Q

                                            looking very mom-like

                                                           Hi, Daddy!

Summer fun!