NVOS

This weekend we went to my hometown to celebrate the 2010 New Virginia Old Settlers. On Saturday morning we did the kids foot and bike races. Grace got 2nd in the foot races and Wyatt got 1st in the bike races in their age groups. Let's just say Bella and Emma have some work to do on their speed!! Then we did the penny scramble where they had a large circle drawn on the street and when they called your age you would go and grab as many pennies as you could get. The had so much fun with that. We then went to our old neighbors cooker where they were in the BBQ contest and we got to try some or their yummy food they were cooking. Thanks Russell and Krista for letting us try your food! Ben then decided to try a game that was set up by the fire dept where you spray a bowling ball with the fire hose against an opponent to see who can get it to the other one's side. The little girl that he was against caught him by surprise and started spraying him so it turned into a water fight. After that we went to Grandma Kathy's to change and soak up some air conditioning. Then back to the parade for us. What a fun weekend we had.....I always look forward to going back "home" for the weekend and celebrating my hometown. It is fun to show the girls where I grew up.....

Our New Boat

Last Friday Ben and I purchased a new pontoon boat with my mom and Mike as co-owners. We have been wanting a boat since we bought our camper last July. We found a 2008 brand new boat just wating at the dealership for us calling our name! The girls and I camped at Lake Rathbun all weekend before the 4th of July to save our spot then Ben and Grandma Kathy came at the end of the week to join us. On Friday we picked up our new boat, and without much experience we put the boat in the water. It took a bribe of a new toy to get Emma in the lake. Bella would not even take that bribe she refused to get in the water. I think with more boating they both should learn to love the lake like me....or it will be a very long summer at the lake for them!

Camping

This weekend our family had our first camping trip of the season. With all the weddings and other things going on we had a very late start. We camped with my mom, Mike, friends Dale and Deb Warden, and Wyatt. The campground was flooded, but our spots were still dry. We did get some scary storms both nights. The Wardens lost their awning Friday night. Ben and I were outside at 2am in the wind and lighting rolling our awning in. Lesson learned....even if it is clear skies and perfect weather when you go to bed you still need to roll up the awning because the weather can change in an instant. The weather was also hot, so I put up a really small blow up pool for the kids. They decided it would take too much time to put on their swim suits so the girls just took off their shirts like Wyatt did and jumped in.

Cinderella

The other day Emma wanted to play Cinderella. I was supposed to be the Evil stepmother. What an easy way to get your 4yr old to vacuum!

Kentucky

Last weekend Ben and I went to Lexington, KY for the Bischke wedding. We left the girls with Aunt Jessica and Uncle Josh and did a road trip with Megan and Chris Walterbach. The drive was long, but it was made more fun with the friends we got to ride with. Once we got to Lexington on Thursday we went out to dinner with the groom, Jon, and some of his friends. Friday was filled with shopping, pedicures and manicures for Megan and I and golfing for Ben and Chris. Friday night we went to the rehearsal dinner which was at the home of Bob Evans the CEO of Churchill Downs. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!! The horses, view and house were wonderful. We could have done without the heat, it was over 100 degree heat index! On Saturday Ben, myself, Glen and Arlene, and Megan went to the KY Horse Park which is the home to the 2010 Equestrian Horse games. It was fun but a little pricey for what you get. Saturday evening we went to the wedding which was down the road from the hotel we stayed at and then took a bus to the reception at Spindletop Mansion owned by UK. This was another beautiful place and the reception was like something from a movie. Sunday we were able to get up early and head for our great state of Iowa!

Science Center with Wyatt

This week I have been watching my Nephew Wyatt......all I can say is God gave me girls for a reason! I am not sure I was cut out to take care of little boys. His energy level is off the charts. My girls give me a little rest time during the day where they play or watch cartoons, Wyatt will have none of that and you have to keep him busy at all times. He loves to ride his bike and does it without training wheels (he has been able to do this since last summer when he was 3!) but when you live in town you can't just let a 4yr old go where he wants. I knew there was another reason I wanted to live in the country. Today after I took the girls to gymnastics I decided to take the 3 kids to the science center since it was rainy here in the morning and the parks were muddy. We went there for 2 hours and they had a blast. We then got in the car and Wyatt asks can we go to the park when we get home????? I was so exhausted was he CRAZY! We compromised and I filled the little pool and put the sprinkler under the trampoline and they played for a couple hours outside. Then he asked "can we go to the park" as I am about to collapse on the couch from being so tired. Luckily grandma Kathy came and picked him up soon after he asked! Yes, we will be going to the park tomorrow and I think I will make him run around the park several hundred times, I am sure that will not even put a dent in his energy!

Happy Birthday Elise

Last Thursday I took Emma and Bella to Elise's birthday party at Backyard Adventures which was very similar to where we had Emma's party. They played at cake and watched Elise open presents. We all had a great time with friends!