Of all of the traditions we love to honor in Iowa in summertime, the only one that absolutely had to make the cut in these kids' busy days was our annual trip to Heavenly Delights! Or Heavenly Delites, whichever it is. This picture right here makes my summer heart happy! With googly eyes for everyone!
We also chipped away at our Tour de Stake 3.0 mission with a Sunday visit to the Red Rock Branch.
And we spent time getting to know new friends this summer, including the Steilers!
On one of the last days of work for Leah and Adam, the babies and I packed up our bikes and headed to the High Trestle Bridge for a ride!
We found a sunflower field!
We checked out Duck Donuts, drove past the duck weed pond that Emma stepped right into as a 4-year-old, and revisited the Saylorville spillway, which was just as mesmerizing as ever.
We threw all kinds of sticks and rocks in the water and watched them get whisked away.
We checked out the fighter planes and tanks at Camp Dodge
These little monkeys climbed all over them!
We spent so much time out on the paddleboards- Emma and Noah made some great new friends this summer.
We visited the library so many times- I hope my kids remember what a valuable resouce the library is when they are parents. We have spent so much time here this summer, checking out books and movies and puzzles and listening to ebooks and participating in journeling and crafting and competitions and earning free tickets to the iCubs and the zoo. The library is the best!
Hmmm. One random day a fan girl and a moody teenager game downstairs. Apparently they gave each other makeovers.
We opted not to participate in the Iowa State Fair this year, but we still enjoyed a bucket (or two) of mini chocolate chip cookies!
These two cuties wanted to spend one evening at the beach.
We meant to go to the pool but it was closed. So the lake was a perfect substitute!
Albeit a bit chilly from the shore.
Emma got to see her besting Little Leah twice this summer!
Noah's buddy Harrison joined in our fun several times too.
What a happy boy with white bread!
I really wanted to check out the newly refurbished rocket ship slipe this summer. Boy have we all grown up from the years that we used to spend entire summer days here, running up and down the slide and splashing in the little pool and enjoying the free lunch and ice cream and gathering pine cones.
At least we still fit on the carousel!
Moments at home were a bit further between this summer, but they were so good when they did happen.
Emma finished up her bookshelf and room glowup!
These cuties were my (more) constant companions this summer.
On the last day of summer the kids decided we needed to have ice cream on the paddleboards.
What a great idea!
Daddy even joined us for some water football.
And, sadly, Emma got bonked in the eye, stepped in a huge patch of goatheads with bare feet, and just like that summer was wrapped up and it was time to get back into the groove of school.
Here's to another great summer in Iowa!
No comments:
Post a Comment