Just Us, in Iowa!

November 2011

2012-01-06T21:54:00.002-06:00

Making Slime.....

Reiman Gardens...

Color, color, color...an automatic attraction...

October 2011

2012-01-06T21:31:00.002-06:00

A yard sale find. We also got a pair of the eyeballs on springs. Those were a big hit too.

On the ramp at the Ames airport.

Autumn brings out the big guys...

Haircut with Megan...

Kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin farm...

LAD's Kindergarten teacher.

The Berry Patch, where we go each year for pumpkin and apple pickin...

Hollow tree in our yard that we finally cut down. It sustained some damage in a storm so it was time to take care of it.

We replaced the outside lamp and LAD recycled bits and pieces into a LAD-powered rocket. We had been to the Science Center in Des Moines not too long before this, so he knew all about how to build a rocket...

Playing with the flash on the Nikon...

I have pics of LAD with the neighbors ghost for all his Halloweens...I should find them all and put together a collage...

Alaska - September 2011

2012-01-06T20:58:00.003-06:00

You are invited to view Fonda's photo album: Yakutat, Alaska - September 2011

Yakutat, Alaska - September 2011

Sep 2, 2011
by Fonda

Randy spent the month of September in Alaska flying for Alsek Air located in Yakutat.

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Yakutat, Alaska - September 2011

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September 2011

2012-01-06T20:27:00.003-06:00

Oh my it's been a while. I'm not sure anything can top the Gecko
Gloves post. That may be a clasic for all time.
Here's a catch-up of our September 2011.

It's more fun to just find a puddle and spin the tire and splash the water...

Soccer and a little art journaling...

This might be one of my favs!

In the kitchen with LAD is always and adventure...

The BIG camera...

was aimed at this...

A last warm day at Big Creek State Park, our closest beach...Not quite enough wind for kite flying...

Soaking up the last warmth of the season...

5x7 Folded Card

2011-09-22T00:45:00.001-05:00

Picture In Portrait 5x7 folded card

Create personalized greeting cards and invitations at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Gecko Gloves

2011-09-17T22:28:00.001-05:00

((Alert: You really should go potty before watching this, also make sure you are not drinking anything, or at least have nothing in your mouth.))

Something on the Wild Kratts caught LAD's interest. Something about Geckos and their sticky feet, and I have no idea. I got a whole lesson about Geckos. I dunno who these Wild Kratt guys are, but LAD is all intersted in them.

His shirt says "Little in Size, Big in Attitude", I think it should really say "Little in Size, Big in Imagination."!

He brought these "Gecko Gloves" home from school on Friday. He made them in his free Art Center time. They were his hands traced, cut out, and there are tiny round stickers that are the "sticky pads" for the Gecko. We had to add Scotch tape to make them really sticky and then add straps to keep the "Gecko Gloves" on. The rest, well, you just have to watch the video...Heed "Alert" from above...

Back to School Night

2011-08-19T23:40:00.002-05:00

Tuesday night was "Back to School Night". We took in all the fun supplies, met the teacher, found his desk, etc. Best part was, there's a Guinea Pig in the room. His name is Snickers.

Most exciting part might be getting to ride the bus back to the day care for after school care. These are some BIG busses!

I think Back to School Night did more to eliminate the momma's fears than the child's. He has none. Let the adventure begin!

First day of Kindergarten

2011-08-19T23:37:00.003-05:00

Obligatory First Day of School photos! I was wondering if this was the same shirt he wore for the first day of preschool last year? Nope, whew!

Thursday, 8/18/2011

New backpack from our friends the Whitehills. Stuffed full of fun stuff!

I think i could have left him at this point and he would have done just fine. But I went in with him and helped him find his table in the commons, before the teachers all came to collect them.

Sigh....secrets with cute little girls in braids already...This is one of his friends he went to pre-school with. She's such a cutey, unfortunately they are not in the same class.

Another buddy. He is in the same class. Once again, I could have left and he would have been fine, but i needed those first day pics in his classroom for scrapbooking...yeah, that's it.

He was likely telling me "I got it from here, mom."

Cubby found, stuff put away, desk found, name badge found. Sighhhhh... He's got it all under control. No tears, barely a hug and kiss goodbye.

2011 Iowa State Fair

2011-08-19T23:20:00.002-05:00

Our state fair is going on this week, we went on Wednesday. The big celebration was the 100th year of the butter cow. Whoo Hoo. There's quite a history and you can read all about it here, if you're interested...

We saw all kinds of interesting and fun stuff...

Randy and LAD road the Crazy Mouse. LAD was just barely tall enough to ride.

There were lots of little concrete cows scattered all around. Painted and decorated up in many different themes. LAD took this photo.

Maybe one of my favorite photos of the day.

This years butter cow tribute to Duffy Lyons, who sadly passed away this year.

View from the gondola ride up the hill...

Sand sculpture in the Cultural center...This was awesome!

Click on the photo to bigify it. LAD was fascinated with the cotton candy this year. He was also very disappointed we missed the horses, they had all left the day before. He was actually in tears that we didn't get to see a horse show...guess i had better plan better next year...

We made our traditional visit to the spin art guys, always a hit. And found a bumper boat ride.

Note to self, do not park near the gate near the carnival entrance next time.

Trip to Chicago, Day 4

2011-08-12T23:59:00.002-05:00

We had to take an "elevator" shot...it was always a negotiation of who's turn it was to push the outside button or the inside buttons. They were actually pretty good at remembering which and when, until I stuck a stick in the spokes and accidently pushed something when I wasn't supposed to...eeek.

Silly goodbyes and heading back to the airport.

"This concave drawing of Anish Kapoor's sculpture Cloud Gate was rendered in 2008 by twin artists Ryan and Trevor Oakes."

Our flight was a little delayed due to weather delays earlier in the day.

But we eventually made it on board and to our final destination.

We had a great time and the boys are already planning next year's trip!

Note to self: plan one more day off after returning home. Whew!

Trip to Chicago, Day 3

2011-08-12T23:51:00.001-05:00

Day 3, LegoLand Discovery Center.

We showed Susan and Evan all about geocaching.

And more swimming!

Trip to Chicago, Day 2

2011-08-12T23:28:00.002-05:00

Day two took us to Navy Pier. This became our "home base" for the day. We had a good buy on the Trolley/Double Decker Bus city tour, so we hopped on that later in the morning. But before we had even been ten steps onto the pier, the boys spotted the Sea Dog speedboats. Luckily we had coupons, so we purchased rides...for 5:00 pm, a mere 7 hours away. Oh good grief. But they managed to tough it out until 5:00. We also enjoyed the Children's Museum at the pier. We could have actually spent the whole day in that place. The fort building area was the best. And a Thomas the Train kiddie ride was also a BIG hit. It's the little things...

The city tour was a tad boring for the boys, but they managed to hang on. We rode the Trolley first, then ate lunch at McDonald's in the theatre district, those two words don't even go together...but whatever. Then we hopped a double decker bus and, of course, sat on the top deck. I think you could come to Chicago every weekend for a year and not see and do all that is here.

Then finally THE much anticipated boat ride. It was cool. Evan even fell asleep about half way thru the ride.

Then they recharged with a nap on the way back to the hotel, then, what else, but swimming!

Trip to Chicago, Day 1

2011-08-12T22:59:00.002-05:00

LAD and I recently traveled to Chicago and met our friends Susan and Evan. They rode the Amtrak train from the Bay City, MI area to Union Station, where we picked them up at.

LAD and I flew from Des Moines to Chicago, I figured it would be a grand adventure, since LAD had not flown commercial since he was about 9 months old, when we went to Alaska!

And, as expected, he was a great traveling partner and enjoyed every minute of the trip.

He also took his own camera. We got some dandy shots...
(click on the pictures to "bigify")

Let me just say, that if you're either brave or stupid enough to drive in Chicago, in a rental car, you're brave or stupid enough to do ANYTHING and I do mean ANYTHING. I'm not a nervous driver by any means, but the first 30 minutes of Airport to Chicago and Chicago to Union Station almost got the better of me. Whew! After that, eh, nothin' to it.

And I'll also say, I'll never, ever, ever give up my exorbitant 30 bucks a month plan for my beloved Android GPS... That can also run Pocket Dairy, by the way.

Here's Union Station, wow, what a cool place. We had some time to kill while waiting and LAD made the most of the wonderful benches to race a car on.

Then we hit Rainforest Cafe, a very cool place. Which turned out to be a really good deal, coupons for tomorrow's entertainment.

Then on to Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower, and the SkyDeck, always known as the SkyDeck.

LAD was excited about going out on it, until we walked up to it. Evan hopped right out, no fear. But LAD was NOT SO SURE he wanted to step out into that glass capsule 1,353 feet above the ground. He eventually did it, with Evan's encouragement of "I'll catch you if it falls". Thanks to the lady in the pretty dress that LAD so ungracefully groped her leg the whole time he was out on it. He would never let go of something while out there. Why was he groping some strange woman's leg...um, because there was NO, NO, NO freaking way his momma was stepping out onto that thing. It absolutely gives me the willey goosebumps even seeing pictures of people on it...no way, uh-uh.

Trip to Missouri

2011-08-12T22:22:00.002-05:00

I had to go to Raleigh a few weeks ago for work, so LAD and I trekked to MO and he spent the week with G'Ma Airplane and Grandpa Allen and Granny Jean. When I got back we had the weekend to hang out. We went junkin, er, pickin, with G'Ma Airplane... I found a few Christmas presents...

Then we went to Rockbridge, south of where G'pa Allen lives, for a fancy dinner at the trout ranch. I remember coming here as a kid with my Grandma Bertha and Grandpa Chris.

Now that's a lot of mouths to feed!

A lady fisherman caught a nice trout and LAD got to help her put it on the stringer and hook it up to a rock.

Then he proceeded to talk her ear off for at least 20 minutes...

Back at the airport on the day we headed back to IA.

Manager Senior and Manager Junior.

And airport cat Zorro...He and LAD are buddies and G'pa Airplane keeps trying to send him home to IA with us...

Sprinkle

2011-08-12T21:57:00.000-05:00

We had some super hot days a few weeks ago, so we broke out the sprinkler. The sun was setting and there was some golden light!

Random July 2011, more...

2011-08-12T21:52:00.002-05:00

An afternoon at the Big Creek State Park beach.

Who knows...

Hickory Park, before bowling...

He's only 5, how did his feet get so big!

Anyone's guess... He wanted to go to daycare "in disguise"...

Fourth of July at Reiman Gardens, 2011

2011-08-12T21:41:00.003-05:00

One of our favorite places, Reiman Gardens. You can view the Ames city fireworks from here. We always enjoy this place. This year they have some giant bugs. They are some amazing pieces of art...if you live in central Iowa, go check them out!

What are you guys looking at...?

Oh yes, one of those!

The conservatory started off with a colony of leaf cutter ants in a picnic basket this spring, but they had some problems...so now they have this very cute-REAL- lady BUG!

Fourth of July, 2011

2011-08-12T21:35:00.002-05:00

We sit in our back-door-neighbor's yard to enjoy the fireworks in our
small town. Our town might be small, but our patriotism is Large!

Last year, he fell asleep during the fireworks, he managed to stay awake this year.

Bubbles...July 2011

2011-08-12T21:26:00.002-05:00

You know what he's thinking...how does this thing work and how can I take it apart.

Random July 2011

2011-08-12T21:23:00.002-05:00

At Ames on a calm afternoon in July...

And a magnetic dirt pile. Hey, he coordinates with the caution construction markers!

Canvas...

2011-08-12T21:19:00.001-05:00

No intimidation by a blank canvas from this artist...I brought home a couple pieces of foam board for a different project and he immediately decided he needed to paint on one of them...what the heck, why not...

Hmmmmm.......

And the finished piece of art!

Doll houses aren't JUST for girls...

2011-08-12T21:09:00.002-05:00

Man, am I ever behind in blog posts...
Somehow we got onto the subject of dollhouses...and yep, I just happened to have one in the basement...
So, you guessed it, we brought it up with all it's stuff that was packed in a box...

This was hours worth of entertainment...

And eventually it became filled with cars, monster trucks and other boy stuff...

We had to do a little maintenance, the addition needed some heavy duty gluing...notice the scotch tape holding things temporarily in place.

This thing must be about 30 (cringggggge) years old...OMG how could that have happened...It was a gift, probably at Christmas or a birthday from Mom and Dad and I remember us all putting it together and then finding stuff to fill it up with...
It was fun getting it out and filling it up again. I'm glad LAD gets to enjoy it.

What 5 REAL bucks can buy you...

2011-06-28T23:11:00.004-05:00

Completely quoted from the beermaster....I have NO idea where he gets this...well I do...but...

Mixed, brewed and bottled, right in our very own kitchen...

"It's gonna be some Blueberry beer. You never know what kind of blueberry beer this is..."

"Say goodbye to your normal beer that you love, now you'll have a new beer that you love... It'll be in your heart forever...you'll be wantin it for the rest of your life... for only 5 REAL bucks."

You must watch the video at the bottom...

Or maybe you would prefer the "spiced blueberry" version...

Catch and Release...

2011-06-28T22:59:00.000-05:00

Fireflies...well, one anyway...

Mystery photos

2011-06-28T22:56:00.000-05:00

I found my camera on LAD's side of the table...this is what I found on it......plus a few random pictures of the kitchen and ceiling...

Can't complain when you find a cutie like this!

Graduate in the house...

2011-05-31T00:29:00.002-05:00

Last Thursday, we attended Pre-School Graduation. It was quite an event!

Thumbs up!

It's official. He passed! They all got to say what they wanted to be when they grow up...LAD said a "racer"...a car racer...

Congrats buddy; now, bring on the Kindergarten!

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T22:53:00.002-05:00

We were invited to Miranda's family's for Easter lunch and we were in charge of the desserts. What's better than cupcakes with sprinkles! And Strawberries, of course.

LAD said, at the end of the day, "sometimes you just gotta spend some time with your best buddy". Yep, you sure do.

Colored

2011-04-24T22:46:00.002-05:00

Ohhhhhh the excitement of coloring Easter eggs. He could hardly wait for them to cook and cool.

Preparing...

Coloring...

I guess it's time to take down the snowmen...

Soccer

2011-04-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

Soccer too. I have more pics, somewhere, some other camera.

Random April 2011

2011-04-24T22:38:00.002-05:00

No it really wasn't THAT warm, but he insisted.

Carefree and who cares if your shoes are on the wrong feet.

I think it needs more than a paint job, but whatever. He insisted he had to use my "permanentive" paints.

A "Coffee party". Warning: be on alert when LAD serves you "coffee".

T-Ball

2011-04-24T22:29:00.002-05:00

They've had a few practices over the last couple weeks...

First game was yesterday. It was about 45 degrees and 300 mph winds, or so it felt like. Not very pleasant, we all survived.

We'll be hoping for sunshine next weekend.

Thanks Spongebob

2011-04-24T22:16:00.001-05:00

I don't really know too much about Spongebob, nor do I particularly care to, but LAD has a video game of said, um, person. There is some sort of Chemistry involved, where they mix jumping jellyfish juice with something or other squid juice, etc to make, um, something else. No idea.
Anyway.
LAD is now all about doing "chemistry" by mixing his paints to see what he gets.
This day, a couple weeks ago, it was to create rocket fuel.
Then he had to add super duper booster juice.
Then we had to actually make a rocket.
Then we had to actually fill the rocket with said concocted fuel...

Yep, it pretty much ended just as you might have imagined, right out the other end of the tube on the table. Oh well, we taped it up and tried again. Helped a little.
To the moon, dude.

Good day.

2011-04-06T12:38:00.002-05:00

Not really quite warm enough, but it'll do!

First fish of the year

2011-03-30T08:27:00.001-05:00