Week Ending 7-29-2012

                                           Time for breakfast at the lodge.

                       We did some letter boxing at a grotto in Rudolph, WI.  Here everyone is looking for it.  It did take awhile but Jacob did find it.

           After letter boxing it was time for some ice cream at the cheese factory.

                                Great afternoon for some boating.

                                       Grant and I ready for some tubing on the lake.

                                         Next event was a night swim in the lake after supper.

                       On the way home we had to stop by Dunkin' Donuts at the Dells for donuts.

                   Stopped in Dyersville to visit the parents.  Rachel and Grant giving Grandma a big hug.

 Vernie wasn't at home so we had to find him at the feed store with his buddies having some coffee. Some things just never change when you go home.

One more stop before heading home was to visit Wilson at Mark and Diane's house. He is just so darn cute and he stayed still for a great photo shoot this time.

                 We had time to visit the goats at the Johnson County Fair this week.

             The temp was 104 in Waterloo on Wednesday and we spent the entire day at Lost Island and didn't even notice the heat while playing in the water all day.

              YES - School supplies have been bought for Rachel and Grant.

                           Breakfast at Village Inn with Grant and Rachel.

                                   We even had time to visit Chad at Cermak Auto to fix my tire.

                                What good team players I have in my house.  Rachel and Grant doing some Cinderella cleaning for me. 

                        Greg took both Rachel and Grant to West High to play some tennis.

                                   We decided to have our own waterpark in our backyard this weekend.

                     Our Olympic chart to keep track of gold, silver and bronze medals for some countries.

Having Pizza Hut pizza while watching the opening Olympic ceremonies.

                This is how Rachel was greeted at The Brown Stone Hotel for Maddie's birthday.  Ken and Grandma Janice you look GREAT!!!  Rachel had a GREAT time.

                         Rachel trying to pull a trick on Uncle Bob.

               Our friend Brian aka Weedhopper came to visit us and Grant was so nice in giving him some Western dressing that he can't get in CA.  Thanks for visiting Weedhopper.  Have a safe trip back to CA.

Week ending 7-22-2012

                          Grant with all of his friends getting ready for University Athletic Club Sports Camp.

               Jacob helping a customer at Crowded Closet while he was working.

     Grant found a love for the game of tennis at sports camp.  Here he is with Greg working on his swing.

                                     Abbie and her friend Kayla hanging out in her room on a hot afternoon.

               Grant with his friend Saahen - Saahen is leaving the United States this week.  We will miss you Saahen.

                                             Greg and I had a date night this week. 

               Jacob with his boss Tom - getting ready for a day of work.

                                         Night at the Kernels game.

                   I got to see my good friends at the game.  Here I am with Chad.  Sorry Kelly - didn't get a chance to take a picture with you.

                        We picked Rachel up at Wapsie on Saturday morning - here she is with her cabin mates singing their cabin cheer.

              Today I took the kids to the lodge in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.  Here they are getting a gator ride to get the kayak's.

                       Jacob, Rachel and Abbie hitting the lake for a ride.

               YES - Grant found a basketball hoop up by the shed. 

                                        I even got to drive the gator today.  It was pretty fun.

                            Time for an evening boat ride on the lake.

                               Jacob and Abbie beat us to the sand bar.  They were very fast.

                           YES - I even got to kayak this evening with Jacob back to the lodge.  More fun in the water tomorrow.

This week ending 7-15-2012

                       Oh the fun you can have at Target with Kleenex boxes.

                            We did some letter boxing at the Raptor Center this week.

                               Taking the bus downtown Iowa City for the day with Uncle Paul.

                        Never a dull moment at the Silver Spider store downtown.

                          Surprise visit with Marianne to see Uncle Paul.

                    Abbie helping her friend Jenny paint her bedroom.

                      All of the vegetables we picked from our garden this week.

                                Pizza at our house with Uncle Paul.

              Rachel with her new friend Mahri - Thanks for seeing us Omar and Ami.  We love to see you all and Rachel oves to play with Mahri.  Come visit us again soon.

                         Grant not sure what to do when Omar dunks the basketball and he can't guard him.  So I guess you just yell.

                                                Fun afternoon in Traer, Iowa.

                        Maddie and Rachel with the Moose at Camp Wapsie.

                  Time for mom to leave and for Rachel to have fun with her friends.  I hope she has a great week and the heat won't be too bad for them this week.