Off to School and "Draggin' Butt"

We made it through the first couples weeks of school. Paige is loving having Mrs. Miller, and Claire is loving having Mrs. Duffield. I was nervous about different rooms, but it seems to be going very well. They share friends at recess but have a chance to be their own unique selves in class. The same week as school starting we had another new experience -- Dragon Boat Races. This is totally an Iowa thing. We began to dub them Draggin' Butt Races because they are so exhausting. The whole thing is a team effort. Basically, if you are out of rhythm in the rowing, your team loses. Very entertaining and a good chance to meet a few more people. Brant's team, T&L Grinders, won the gold in their division. I was amazed because half of the boat was staggering by the last couple races. The layover time between racing led to some imbibing. Maybe it just raised spirits to victory.

Big Bike Riders

Such a blogger slacker, but I think I am getting the hang of it. This huge event happened weeks ago, but I forgot to show off. Ike and Ava are now training wheel free. Wooo-hooo! Bike rides are so much easier now without the stupid, creaking trainers. Isaak has not wanted to ride his bike all summer, but one Sunday after church he said he wanted the trainers off. We humored him, preparing for failure. No kidding, he picked up the bike and took off. This of course encouraged Ava-never-to-be-outdone Hamby to then get her trainers off. Very exciting that all four are now more mobile. In this little town, you could seriously ride your bike everywhere you need to go -- post office, library, pool, school, church. Everything is within a three mile radius of our house. Even the coffee shop is about a five minute bike ride. Gotta' save that gas somehow.

River and Rocks

We took some time to enjoy some of the local sights last week while Brant's parents where here visiting. We live less than a mile from the Des Moines River, but it had been far too full to actually take the kids down to the banks until recently. It's very muddy right now from all of the overflow, which made it all the yuckier in my mind and all the funner in the kids' minds.

The other pictures are from the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa. It's only a half hour from our house and it is spectacular. I'm not into all the Catholic saint stuff, being of the Baptist variety, however this is stunning. It took two priests around 80 years to build this structure. It is a city block full of structures created from all natural objects: shells, rocks, gems, etc. It is so awesome, even the kids were quiet and observative for the hour tour. Definitely recommend it if you ever hit the upper edge of Iowa. Oh, plus it's a free tour.

Another plus, while Brant's parents were here, we got so much done. New sliding door installed, new floor layed in kitchen/dining area, deck fixed/leveled, my bike repaired -- Brant's dad is so much more of a slave driver than I ever dream of being. He and Brant always get so much done when they are together. Very productive week.

Two Big Additions

Since we now live on a little over an acre, all I'd heard about since the move is how we "need" a dog. Everyone but me "needed" to have this dog. We picked up an eight week old Weimer on Saturday. His name is Brom, and he is a cute little booger. All ears and paws. Paige and Ike are in Heaven. Claire just likes having another family member to parent over. Ava is adjusting to the idea of a dog, as long as he doesn't invade her space. I'm looking forward to having a walking buddy, and Brant dreams of some hunting helper. Hmmm -- can this guy be all that?

The other addition is the new play fort. Brant designed it, and I helped build. Really, I was even proud of us on this one. I cut about 60% of the boards for this. I helped hold and level. All kinds of handiness came pouring out of me. Just after we got it built the temperature crept up, so it mainly gets played on in the evening and early morning. Still a fun project -- now on to some things on MY list please.