Summer's End

How is this even possible?!?! Summer is over! I know that it normally flies by, but this year was exceptionally fast! Probably due to the crazy busy-ness of our move, etc, plus the fact that J just got done with school on June 10. So it truly WAS a short summer for him, poor guy. Good thing he doesn't really know any different. :)

After our week at the lake in July, we did have about 2 weeks here at home to continue getting used to our new community. 

I picked up a swing for Hope on clearance at Walmart. We haven't found the best place to hang it yet, but she doesn't mind. The box is the best part!

Living right by the Mississippi River is pretty cool. J loves to look for barges every time we cross over the bridge to Fulton! Also, replicas of Christopher Columbus' ships, the Nina and the Pinta, traveled down the river and were docked here in Clinton for a few days. So we checked them out!

When we were leaving, a barge was navigating its way down the river and under the bridges. We got to see the train bridge turn to let the boat through. Pretty cool!

It's been hot. And I love it! So glad both the toddler and the "big kid" found enjoyment in this small inflatable pool!

Note to self: Next year don't wait till July to buy one because this will be all that's left again.

Who the heck wakes up with their hair looking this good?

Hope. That's who.

On August 7 we hit the road for northwest Iowa! Adam had 10 days of Pizza Ranch training in Orange City, so the kids and I tagged along so we could all spend some time with Adam's family.

Iowa is so beautiful! And believe me, cause we saw the whole state! Twice.

J and H had lots of fun with their cousins!

Kyan and Hope watching a movie :)

Uncle Kelly and Aunt Rachel just opened up a gym called We Rock the Spectrum in Orange City! We were there while they were getting things all finished up for their grand opening on August 20. J and H had a blast "helping" and trying out the equipment!

Uncle Kelly took J up on this thingy- and even let him drive! Yikes!

Hair in a bun, perfect floor routine- we have a future Aly Raisman!

We went out for fro-yo one night.

Good luck saying no to that face!

Tuesday the 9th happened to be my birthday. :)

Happy birthday to me!

Adam and I got to go out on a DATE that night, while the kids hung out with Grandma, Aunt Rachel, and cousins (thank you!!). It was SO nice! Forgot to take a date selfie, so here's one of us after we got home, watching the Olympics. Pretty great b-day!

Thursday night was girls night with my BFF's Stephanie and Natasha! So many laughs with these 2. :)

 We also spent some mornings with Natasha and her kids- so much fun!!

Someone is ob-SESSED with the Cozy Coupe.

The Hooyers have kitties.

This picture kills me- we are not cat people!! No!!!!

There's nothing better than playing outside and getting dirty!!

Saturday morning Stephanie gave us a tour of their Dairy. There were cows, baby calves, cotton seed to play in, and even a ride in the chopper. Jeremiah declared this the best day of his life!

Adam's training continued until the 19th, but the kids and I had to head home on the 16th so that Jeremiah could start school!

6+ hour road trip with these 2 (and Molly)- whew! Thank heavens for Starbucks in Ft Dodge and Chick-Fil-A in Waterloo. :)

August 17 was J's first day of 1st grade!! How is this possible?! I taught first grade for 10 years.... And now I have a child that age. Crazy!

1st day of school pic! Hope can not be left out. :)

In fact, she is quite sure that SHE should be in school, too!

Hope cries every time we drop J off at school- poor girlie! :( She loves her big brother! So far J is really enjoying 1st grade and his new school, and has already made a few buddies (one of whom shares his obsession with sharks!). :) We're hoping and praying that this is a great school year for Jeremiah!