Apple Orchard

Today was our second annual trip to Center Grove Apple Orchard! Last year the day we went was the same day we found out I was pregnant with Caden, so it was fun to go back a year later with him.

It is a rare occurrence to tire Ethan out, but today I succeeded! He ran, jumped and played hard for 3 1/2 hours. When both boys melted down at the same time that's when I knew we were done. The melt down came before I had a chance to pick any apples, but that's okay, we had so much fun playing at the farm.



There is nothing like swimming in a pool of corn.

Caden still needs some corn swimming lessons!

Ethan loved the farm animals.

There were 2 horses, a "daddy" and a "mommy" according to Ethan. He kept yelling out, "hi mommy," to the horse which I didn't appreciate a ton.

We liked exploring the 3 little pigs village.

We just needed a dunce cap to complete our visit to the little one room school house.

We sipped at the Mad Hatter's tea party.

And bounced on a pillow of air.

My favorite part was this awesome slide that you ride down in a sled.

We had such a fun day! I got a little sad realizing we won't be here next fall to have our third annual trip, I'm thinking only in Iowa will we ever find a swimming pool of corn!

Campfire Song

We first came across this great song when my Dad was here in June while he was looking for a new song to teach at Girl's Camp. Although I've never watched an episode of Spongebob, this song is somehow quite catchy. Ethan loves listening to the "piece of cheese" sing.

After listening to this song we decided it was time to have our own campfire night, and it had all of the elements of a pretty perfect evening...

A Hawaiian shirt,

Good friends,

Yummy S'mores,

Dutch oven chicken,

Good stories told,

And of course we sang the Campfire Song!

Now we have the mosquito bites to prove it!

2 Dollars

On Saturday Ethan and I had a little outing just the two of us to WalMart and Sam's Club. I figured this would be the perfect day for Ethan to get to spend his $2 that my Grandma sent to him when Caden was born.

On the drive there I asked him what he wanted to spend his money on, he immediately replied that he wanted to buy a treat. When I asked what kind of treat he said, "toothpaste." I told him we already had toothpaste and asked if there was something else he would rather buy. He said, "mmmm...a duck." After explaining to him that Walmart really doesn't have live ducks for sale, I decided to just wait until we got there and let him choose.

As we walked through Walmart he wanted to buy everything, my favorite was when he pointed to a can of Bacon Bits and yelled "I nee it." Pretty sure you don't NEE those buddy. Finally he settled on a $1 yellow recorder and a jar of play-doh for 88 cents. Oh how I tried to talk him out of that recorder! But he wouldn't budge, he wanted one like his friend Krew has.

We happened to make it to Sam's Club for free sample time. Ethan got a piece of pizza, a pickle slice and a juice box! As we left Ethan handed the lady our receipt and she drew a smiley face on it - he yelled, "It's my lucky day!"

I felt pretty lucky too to get an outing with Ee-Ee all to myself!

If you had a lucky day and got to spend 2 whole dollars at Walmart what would you buy?

You Have to Give Some to Get Some...

That is what Billy Blanks told me tonight as I was doing my "Tae-Bo Get Ripped Advanced Workout" video.

And I suppose Billy is right. It is so hard to get back in shape! Late tonight I was trying to figure out what to do for a workout (since I didn't get one in earlier in the day) and Clark reminded me about my great Tae-Bo videos that I have been moving around for the past 5 years, I used to love doing them in college, but we haven't had a VCR since we've been married so I forgot I even had them. Just the novelty I needed to motivate me to workout even though I was tired.

However, I felt more like I resembled Rex Kwon Do after doing a round house kick into the kitchen chair that was in our living room.

And then I felt really stupid when I hit myself in the chin doing some speed bag punches.

But I did it, you do have to give some to get some people!

While I worked out Caden did this: while Clark did this: all while Ethan slept soundly in his bed.

One good thing about the rolling hills of Iowa is that it keeps me from getting lazy on my jog/walks with the boys! Its impossible to be lazy pushing this 80 lb. tank up a hill (its gotta burn extra calories, right?) I'm seriously in denial about the season changing, I'm going to miss our little walks when the sidewalks are icy!

Fighting Hunger with Hairnets

Meals from the Heartland is a fabulous organization where thousands of volunteers come together to package meals that are then sent to countries that need help. On Sat. I was supposed to meet with a group of spouses from our school spouse club, but there were too many people and we didn't meet up. Luckily I went with Megan and Jessica and we had a blast packaging meals and rocking our awesome hairnets.

First the food is measured into the bags...

Then the food is weighed, the bags are sealed...

And wa-la, the final product...

We then packed 36 meals into a box and they are ready to go. An entire family is fed from one meal bag for a couple of days. In 4 days over 4,000,000 meals were packaged. I think it is amazing what people can do when they come together.

Going this weekend made me think a lot about how blessed I am. I have never been truly hungry, or have ever had to wonder where my next meal will come from. I can't even comprehend what it would be like to literally have nothing. I am so blessed to live in a nation of abundance. I also believe that where much is given much is required and I hope I can always be looking for ways to serve and share.

Because I Have Been Given Much is one of my favorite church hymns. I loved that when I was on a mission it was one of the few hymns translated into Romanian. It is a great reminder to acknowledge that truly everything we have comes from a loving Heavenly Father, and when we feel that love it makes us want to serve others.

Because I have been given much, I too must give

Because of they great bounty Lord each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,

who has the need of help from me...

Because I have been sheltered fed, by thy good care,

I cannot see another's lack and I not share,

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof safe's shelter overhead

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I'll share that love again according to thy word,

I shall give love to those in need, and show that love by word and deed,

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Are you ready for the game tonight?

Caden is.

Go Cougs!

Kidnapping Daddy

Having a baby makes it a little tricky to be spontaneous! But this afternoon after Ethan woke up from his nap I just felt like we needed to get out of the house. So we put on our shoes and drove to Clark's school, we snuck in and kidnapped him from the parking lot right before he got in his car to come home. After a long day of clinic and a test, I think he was happy to see us.

We went for a little treat at Nan's Nummies (the amazing cupcake place that my friend Margaret just showed me was already closed).

I love that above Ethan's head the window says, "delightful." He was delighted by his Spongebob cookie!

Our attempt at a family picture.

Then we headed to the park for a little more fun.

Duckboy take me away...

This looks like fun right? All 3 boys sliding down at the same time...

But we quickly discovered that slides just aren't very slippery when it is humid outside and your skin is sticky. If you listen closely you can hear all 3 boys yell "ow" at the end.