Sylvia's Kindergarten Ice Cream Social

Kindergarten, here we come.  Sylvia was looking forward to the start of kindergarten all summer.  Her school had a kindergarten jump start day earlier in the summer where the kids got to visit the classrooms and spend the morning "doing kindergarten."  It was such a blessing to this mama to get a little more used to the idea of sending my little girl off to school.  

She had her ice cream social in August where she learned that Ms. Jensen would be her kindergarten teacher.  We got to spend some time in the classroom and met a few classmates.  Sylvia was excited to find out she knows one of her classmates from church.

Our 11th Anniversary

After our ride on the Boone Scenic Railway, Dan and I got away without the kids (thanks to Grandma and Grandpa) and spent the rest of the day touring around the Ames area.  We drove by the places we lived in college, ate dinner at Great Plains Pizza (our favorite Chinese restaurant was closed for the weekend), walked around campus, stopped in to take a look at the church where we were married and took a long walk on our favorite trail.  What a great way to spend our anniversary.  So thankful for this man and for our marriage.  I love being married to my best friend.

Boone Scenic Valley Railroad

We started August with a trip to Boone for a ride on the Scenic Railway.  The kids were all excited to ride on a train, and we took Grandma and Grandpa along for some additional help (i.e. human seat belts).  The weather wasn't too hot and the views were gorgeous.

Sylvia brought her conductor hat along.

Drake wasn't too sure about the train ride at first.

Can you see the veins in my hand as I hold on tightly?

Waiting for a little more excitement.

Three of the boys with their heads hanging out the train.

Are there any other moms looking at this that feel as sick to their stomach as I did at this moment?

Back in a nice safe seat away from the window.

Omaha

We joined the Lane family and the Baxters for a long weekend in Omaha this summer.  The 13 of us rented a house and enjoyed a day at the zoo followed by a day at the children's museum.

Sylvia helped me make these zoo snacks filled with animal crackers.

Waiting patiently to see how close the bear would come.

I'll call it a successful family pictures since we're all looking at the camera.

It was nice to sit down and see the rest of the zoo
after walking all day and waiting in a long line for the train.

Drake spent most of the day in the stroller so he
enjoyed getting out to take a closer look at the fish.

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These two may (or may not) look innocent but they sure can get into trouble together.
The two of them went running off at one point and were missing for about 10 minutes.

We made some great memories with wonderful friends.  So thankful to be doing life with this group.

I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put a water feature
right out in the open, but both of my boys sure enjoyed.
I'm glad I packed an extra set of clothes because the hand drier was not going to cut it. 

Eric had a ball running around the ball room.

We finally caught up with Eric in the bug room after he went missing (yes again) for almost half an hour.

Sylvia loved the museum's face painting stations.  

Showing off her DIY face paint and sweat band
while in the middle of working on another project.

Johnson County Fair

Each summer my mom and I take the kids to the county fair.  This year we got to enjoy the fair with the Kacmarynski family and the Gugliuzzas.  We always make sure to visit when Grandpa and Papa are at the Gideon's booth.

Drake - 19 months

My baby turned 1.5 this summer.  He is growing up so quickly.  It's fun that he's big enough now to run around with his older siblings and attempt to keep up. 

Summer Cousin Visit

We enjoyed a week long visit from our cousin this summer.  The girls had so much fun playing together all week and did a good job of including Eric.  Margaret was here for dance camp.  At the end of the week, the dancers shared what they'd been working on.  They could also prepare something on their own if they'd like.  So, we watched on of Sylvia's old dance videos and the three of them practiced all week.