February

In February, we announced we were having a baby at the end of August.  We find out what we are having in about 10 days.

We built a fort and read stories in there

It snowed and we were all really excited.  We've been missing the snow.

 It was very dry and didn't stick together very well, but we managed to make a teeny snow man.

We made pink pancakes for breakfast on Valentine's Day.

and Juliette got her mug with her picture on it.

JJ figured out that you can stick combs in the door frame of the linen closet and make them stay.

On Ashton's day off we went to the cove.  We saw lots of surfers and people clamming.

We found "wild" hermit crabs

JJ got all messy.  Here she is showing me a shell she found.

And the boys practiced balancing rocks.

We had fun!

Farmer's Market

We ventured down to Downtown Boise and walked the farmer's market.  I don't think it is as charming as Omaha's but not everywhere has such a quaint historic district like Omaha.  It was fun to walk through however and when we were done, we got the kiddos some balloons.  Dex chose a fishing pole and Juliette got a heart wand flower thing.  She kept calling it a flower, so that is what it was.  Oh, and don't you love Jule's necklaces?  She picked them all out herself and insisted on wearing them.  Love her!

Clifford LIVE!

Ashton and I took Dexter out to see his first play.  Ash scored some really cheap tickets to Clifford LIVE! that was playing at the Orpheum in Omaha.  It was so much fun.  Dex was a little nervous, but loved it all.

The play was very interactive so he had a fun time help call for Clifford, find Clifford, and I think the best part was his reaction to when Clifford grew.  The play started out with Emily Elizabeth (Clifford's owner) looking for a dog for Christmas.  Clifford was a runt and so small.  In the play, Clifford falls asleep with Emily Elizabeth, lights go dark, and in the morning, when the lights came on, Clifford is huge!  Dexter's face was priceless!  The magic of the theater definitely worked, and made this experience so worth it.

We got him a Clifford dog and wasn't very happy that I was making him take this picture.

I tried to take a picture of he and I during intermission while Ashton was getting water.  This is as good as it gets.  He is such a 3 year old.  There are a lot of funny, fuzzy outtakes.  Maybe I'll have to post them another time.

He also liked walking on the skywalk between the parking garage and the theater.  He thought it was cool to be walking above the cars.  Here he is pointing to the "C" on Clifford on the sign.  Lucky for us, this came on "C" week, so he was finding all the "C"s he could.

He enjoyed himself immensely.

The Sweetens watched Jules for us.  I was so nervous about leaving her, that I almost let Ashton just take Dex while I stayed home.  She had never been left by herself before.  She did awesome.  Serene said they just had to hold her and she wimpered the whole time, but no tears, no screaming.  So much better than the last time I left her even with Dexter with her!

We had such a fun time.  I'm grateful for Ashton and his dreams for his little family.  This was all his idea, and  a memorable one at that.

Waubonsie State Park

One of favorite places to go for a beautiful fall drive is Waubonsie State Park.  It is in southern Iowa and is just gorgeous.  We packed a lunch and jetted down right after Dexter's craniofacial group appointment.  

The kids loved being there and being able to get out and just run!

After our lunch we went for a walk along on of the trails.  It was beautiful

 

Juliette found this red leaf and wouldn't let it go. When she dropped it, we had to stop and find it because she would start to fuss so much.  Silly miss.

Right outside the entrance to the park, is Mincer Orchard apple stand.  They sell the best apple cider in the world!  It isn't sold in stores.  You can only get it here.  It is wonderful!  However, this years was a tad too sweet.  I think they used different apples.  Inside they have crate after crate of apples in all varieties and a fantastic price.  They also have gourds and pumpkins for sale as well.

I just love fall in Iowa.  It lasts forever and is just so beautiful.  

The 4th

For the 4th, we found ourselves in Underwood, IA.  A quaint little town about 20 min. from here.  They had a fun little parade and fireworks show that we enjoyed.  We were looking for somewhere small and we found the perfect place.  We parked our seats in the perfect spot.  A little sun at the beginning of the parade, but in full shade the rest of the time.  Karen and her boys even joined us for the fun parade.  

Before the parade, one of their clubs came out handing out water.  It was dang hot!

The parade was filled with big rigs, tractors, and tow trucks.  Dex was in heaven!

A storm trooper was also there.  Whomever was in there had to be drenched in sweat.  It was hot!

Ash and JJ

JJ and I

Me and my kiddlets

Some tractors

Dex made out like a bandit with a bag full of goodies.  Otter pops, candy, lots of beef jerky.  It took a little bit of coaxing and convincing but, he finally got the hang of running for candy.  To the left of us though, we had quite the tough crew of mothers.  It was hard to beat them to it!

After the parade, we headed home and got lunch and let the kiddos nap/play while we made food.  For dinner we headed over to our friends, the Nordbys for a bbq.  It was fun to be at a house with a backyard and a sprinkler.  The kids had fun playing in the water.  

JJ loved the clover flowers and the sprinkler

After the other family left, we hung out a little bit longer.  Dex finally began to enjoy the sprinkler, too.

For the fireworks show, we made our way back to Underwood and sat in the middle school parking lot.  Both kids were sound asleep and I tried to wake Dex, and when I aroused him, he said he didn't want to see them and fell back asleep.

sleeping kids

At the first loud bang, JJ woke up for a few minutes.  She did pretty well with the fireworks.  She stayed up for maybe 10 minutes and then fell back asleep

Ash took pictures of the fireworks with his Dad's camera.  Some turned out really well.  He enjoys doing photography, and hasn't done it for a long time.  I think he really enjoyed himself.

We had  a great 4th, with a minor mishap involving Dexter, my foundation makeup, my makeup brush, JJ's bows and the bathroom wall.  Ya, not a pretty site/combination.