Southern Iowa Fair

The Southern Iowa Fair began on Monday and ends this coming Sunday. The girls decided to give 4-H a try for the first time this year. Shall we begin by saying that 4-H has changed quite a bit since we were members of 4-H. Gabi decided that one of her projects would be dog, so Benny, our 8-year old Bichon Frise, was the lucky one chosen to go to obedience and agility class. Gabi and Benny did a great job in agility but Benny just didn't see the purpose in sitting and staying when asked. The good news is that he was not the worst dog out there and Gabi kept right on smiling!! Gabi also built a rocket for the first time and painted it hot pink!

Her final project was foods. This was the biggest change - Did you know that it is possible to judge a cookie without tasting the cookie? I have never seen this happen. She was given a blue ribbon but we still can't figure out how the cookies were judged.


Emily decided to participate in Child Development and earned a purple ribbon. She also entered two pictures for photography and cookies as well with blue ribbons for all those projects. Her final project was in clothing called the $15.00 Challenge. She was required to purchase an entire outfit at garage sales or resale stores for $15.00 or under. This picture was of Emily after modeling her outfit. Her father thought he would show his fashion sense modeling his black socks with his tennis shoes. Where have I gone wrong?

Sad News & Phenomenal Children

This week has been a challenge. Last week we were starting to fall into a summer routine since the girls were home and then we received a phone call that a dear friend had passed away. Sue was a peer, mentor and friend that I loved dearly. I taught with her for several years and she was even able to come visit us in Tucson. Sue was a remarkable teacher and a wonderful person. The picture is of all of us at Sabino Canyon. We are very grateful for all of the good times we have shared. After a quick trip to Indiana to attend her funeral we are home. Since that is by far the horrendous news for the week I would like to share some good news.

I have phenomenal children!! Having mom working in the summer rather than being home has been a challenge for all of us but the girls have definitely stepped up to the plate. Our laundry has been done every day, the house has been picked up and the floor vacuumed. Even though we have had to move waaaay toooo many times I am grateful every day that we have each other and we are all healthy!!!!

House #13

Yes this is post #3 today. I am behind and trying to catch up.


Well, the door color is not what I had hoped for but it is better so here is a picture of home #13. Yes, it is our usual ranch style home but the best part of this house is the porch. We are enjoying summer evenings on this porch.


We have found our home number interesting for this house. We have been married for 17 years and this is house #13. Maybe this is our lucky home and we will be able to stay here for a long time.

Guitar Hero

We made a family purchase and decided that Guitar Hero would be a fun game for our family. This game has been a blast and we all want to play, even Grandma!

The Girls are Home!

The girls have arrived home and had a great time in Indiana. I try and be mature and say that I am not jealous but let's be realistic - I am very jealous that they were able to go to Indiana for these past weeks. OK, I am happy for them but I am ready for my turn!!

My parents came and picked them up and Larry's parents brought them home. They stayed with my sister and her family the majority of the week but were able to visit with lots of family and friends. This is a picture of the girls with their cousins Samantha, Garrett and the bottom picture is of Grace.

Floods of 2008

Even though the news sounds like everyone in Iowa is flooded we are not. We are one of only 13 counties in Iowa that has not been declared a disaster area. We are fine and have no water. There is a possibility that we may still loose water but that is so minor in comparison to others including our friends in Columbus.

Coming soon - a picture of home #13 - that is if I can get the color of the door to become the shade I was hoping for rather than pea green.

Peyton is our new neighbor

We met our new neighbors yesterday and can you believe we are so fortunate to be living beside Peyton!! I had no idea that he would move here - maybe just on the off season.

OK - so it is the oldest son but we were impressed with his name.

Emily mowed the yard for the first time yesterday and did a great job. I think that means it is a new job for her. We have worked the majority of the weekend in the yard and getting ready for the garage sale that we are having next weekend.

The girls leave for IN on Wednesday. They are very excited to be going. I just wish that we could be going, also!!!!!!!!!!