Celebrating 90 Years

This weekend we ventured to my hometown to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday.

The kids did a little fishing. Actually, they did a lot of fishing. Papa told Evy she has now caught more fish than her mom ever has.

Reeling one in!

Not into fishing. Hollywood pose.

Art time with Papa.

 

On Saturday, RAGBRAI made it's way through Keosauqua. We greeted the bikers. Papa's tractor gets a lot of action when the kids are in town. The kids have to take turns driving with Papa while the other three ride in the wagon. There may be a few tears shed each time the driver is determined.

At the State Park for Grandma's birthday bash. The kids are standing in front of a statue commemorating the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corp who constructed many of the park structures in the early 1930s.

Grandma Maxine and her great-grandchildren.

The whole crew! Not a great picture, but it was mass chaos trying to get everyone to look at the camera. Next to Grandma Maxine is Great-Aunt Marlene, Grandma's only sibling. She drove back from Colorado with her son for the party.

An attempt at a family photo.

County Fair Time

Over the weekend the girls got to spend time at the County Fair with Grandma and Grandpa.

Then, they did some gardening at Great-Grandma's and Great-Grandpa's farm. Check out the baby watermelon Evy is holding.

Yesterday, we hit up our local County Fair where Evy got tattooed, saw more animals, and ate pink cotton candy.

After an hour and a half at the fair Evy was tired so Charlie did the pushing.

Conversations with a 4 year old

Evy and I were having a refresher on what she should do if someone she doesn't know approaches her while she's playing in the yard.

Me: "What do you do if a lady in a car pulls up and asks you if you want to pet her orange kitty?"
Evy:  Blank Stare
Me: "You say NO! and run back into the house, right?"
Evy: "But, Mom. Should I say No, thanks?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was putting laundry away, minding my own business, when out of the blue the following conversation occured.

Evy: "Who makes humans?"
Me: "You know that babies are in tummies, right?"
Evy: "Yes, but who makes the bones?"
Me:  Long pause. Ask self how to answer this one. Decide on truth. Take deep breath. "Well, some people believe that God created humans."
Evy: "So God created the earth, the trees, and bones?"
Me: "Some people believe it was God and other people believe in a thing called Evolution where they think humans came from monkeys" (I know I should have probably used Chimps or Gorillas here but give me a break I was under a lot of pressure)
Evy: "Monkey's!?!?!??!" Followed by hysterical laughter.

Fun Day!

Most of my days at home this summer have involved waiting around for a contractor or two or three. So, we haven't been able to get out of the house much. On Friday, we didn't have a contractor coming until 1 p.m. so we decided to take full advantage of our morning. We decided to make it a campus day!

 

 

We parked in my work parking spot and hopped on the Cambus. The kids loved riding the bus! Evy was very concerned that there were no seat buckles. 

 

We did a little exploring around the Old Capitol and then spent about an hour in the Natural History Museum.

Then, we went down to the Ped Mall and the girls played in the Fountain.

We grabbed lunch and then worked our way back to the bus stop. There was a live band playing outside so we stopped and enjoyed two songs. We all wanted to stay longer, but we had a bus to catch and a contractor to meet!

 

By the time we got back to the car we were all exhausted. Evy is a pretty good fake sleeper, but Charlie's face kind of gives it away.

This Kid

Refused to take a nap on Saturday. Didn't sleep one second on our three hour drive home on Sunday, but fell asleep within 30 seconds on our way home from the grocery store Sunday night.

She is really into her babies right now. She likes to carry them around and sleep with them. Last night when I was putting her to bed she ordered me to "pat baby."

4th (and 5th, and 6th, and 7th) of July

We may have overscheduled ourselves a little bit, but we packed a lot of fun into the 4th of July holiday!

 

We started the holiday off with a bang at the parade. Love this little poser.

Charlie was asking for a sucker as we walked out the door. Luckily we scored a sucker early in the parade and that kept her happy for most of the time.

Our friends are the most awesome type--they set up a tent at the beginning of the parade at 7 a.m. and invited us to share their prime real estate. Hopefully, we'll be invited back next year.

After the parade and then a few hours on the lake we went to a BBQ at our friend's house. The kids played relay games.

And played with sidewalk chalk.

The moms got a chance to chat and have a few drinks.

Love everyone's festive attire!

Then, on Friday we went to Aunt Julie's house where we spent the weekend with Scott's sisters and their families. We watched fireworks over the lake. Perhaps the best way to watch fireworks.