Tuesday, April 27, 2010

This Week in Pictures

Well, I don't have pictures from the strong winds or rain storms we've had recently. No pictures from me trying to get all the droppings from the oak tree east of the house that dropped a ton of stuff into the pool, and me trying to vaccuum it all out. No pictures of me teaching art at the Art Center on Friday afternoon, or me stressing on Thursday, the day before, getting ready.

But...I do have a few pictures of some other things, such as....


Case watering the garden Brooke and I recently planted. There are four purchased pepper plants in the middle, while the rows he's watering are seeds...hot peppers, red peppers, green peppers, and peas. We still need to get some tomato plants and onions.



Haley at Bass Day 2010, hosted by the University of Iowa. All Bass, all day. It was a long day, but she learned some new techniques and was introduced to some very challenging music. At the end, they gave a concert and it sounded really great! I brought things to do, like watch the DVD of Avatar, which by the way, I give 4 1/2 stars. It was a really great movie, a little predictable, but the realism was excellent.


While Haley was at Bass Day, Dan was doing Clean Up Muscatine Day with some people from work, and the other 3 kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's, where they were introduced to "real" Monopoly (not Monopoly Jr, which is what they'd previously played). They loved it so much, that on Monday, we bought our own game. They have been playing the game non-stop, providing lots of entertaining comments and facial gestures along the way! I like this picture, because as you can see, we're multi-tasking: playing Monopoly, and learning a history lesson from Glenn Beck in the background!

That summarizes the week, briefly. It's already Tuesday, and we're into another week with many things ahead. Wednesday I'll be in Mason City, Dan will be home taxiing the girls to their various classes, and possibly working a new water heater....(another story).

Friday, April 16, 2010

Today was "Wildlife" Day


If you look carefully, there are 3 wild turkeys on the side of the road...I slowed down and took a picture quickly on my way home this morning.

This is the snake Moriah discovered today.

Haley is documenting the event. (Notice there is a shovel involved....hmmm, why could that be?)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Pool is now OPEN!


"I think we're gonna like it here...."

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Beautiful Spring Day

Wow, we got alot accomplished today!


Here Dan is working on hanging a swing, Case is playing with the cats, and girls are jumping on the trampoline.

It was so beautiful! Spring is finally here, and boy, am I glad. :)

Dan worked outside ALL day, working on the timber in the back. He also put up a swing for Case, which Case is now very fond of.

Brooke, too - as shown in the picture.



I worked on getting the pool clean. Figuring out how to do the Kreepy Krauler. Cleaning out skimmers.

But, the COOLEST thing I did today was use Skype! Our exchange student's mom called and we were able to talk for 20 minutes for free with the use of our computers. I know this technology has been around for awhile now, and I'm just now using it, but WOW! It was very cool!

Twins are busy babysitting again tonight.

I'm relaxing with Dan as we watch the NASCAR race. Go Joey Legano. Or Kyle Busch.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sprint Cup Car



"You did what in your cup?" (from Cars)

Brooke and I were able to see the Cheerios car at Wal-Mart today!

The car is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. There's only the one seat for the driver, and there's a cup holder that's welded or bolted right in place for him. (Cup holders are very important to me when looking at cars!)

Monday, April 5, 2010

The Calm Before the Storm





...and it hailed twice!

For the Fun of It

So, it was Good Friday, and our van needed a checkup in Iowa City. So, we passed time by going shopping. We were actually looking for some dresses for upcoming weddings, and stumbled onto the Prom Dress Section. We gooed and gaaed over the beautiful dresses. On a whim, I said, "Wanna try 'em on?"

"We can?" asked Haley.

"Sure! Why not?"

I just happened to have my camera!

Wow - look out boys in a few years. Gulp.







While we were having a girls' morning, Case and Dad were helping install tile in the fields around Oscar & Wynne's.

A Game of Cat and Mouse?


So, here they are playing with the mouse.

Now, if they'd just get to the mice before the mouse traps do, I'll be very impressed.

About a Week Before Easter


We went to Wynne's sister's house to see the many, many baby chicks. Case was frightened at first, clinging to Grandpa's leg.

Then, he decided maybe they weren't all that scarey as he uses one finger to touch the bird.

Here, Brooke is showing Case how to actually pet the chicks.

Brooke is loving it. She should have a little farm someday.


Finally, we were able to see the sheep and lambs. It was a pretty entertaining morning!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

No foolin'!!!

It's April Fools Day.

And it's 81 Degrees.

No, really!!!

Thursdays are a little bit crazy for me.

Drop off Haley and Moriah at school early.

Pick them up before lunch.

Drop off Brooke around lunch for orchestra.

Drop off Haley and Moriah for Chemistry class.

Pick up Brooke from orchestra.

Bring Case and Brooke home for naptime.

Pick up Haley and Moriah from Chemistry.

Somewhere in there, manage to get a cute picture of Case at the park. :)