Anniversary Outing

As an outing on our 10th anniversary, on a rainy and chilly day,

we decided to head to Iowa City to the Iowa Children's Museum with the girls.

This was on our summer bucket list to do since we had a few carousel 

gift cards and a gift card to Steak N Shake.

We got there around 3:00 and stayed until closing at 6:00.

It wasn't too busy during the later part of the time!

How sweet, the girls made us our anniversary supper :)

She treated this baby with so much care.

She would have been a good big sister :) 

This room had changed since we were here last.

This was a "hill" that you could sled or snowboard down :)

Avery did this probably 20 times up and down :)

Mom and Aubrey on the upper level photo bombing

Daddy and Avery down below :)

The Dr's office receptionist Aubrey 

We had purchased carousel ride tickets from the OSCI auction

this winter and finally put them to good use.

They got to ride two times each!

kitty, of course 

We finished the evening at Steak N Shake to use our gift cards!

We need to go there more often - we were impressed!

Then as we were leaving to do a little shopping, the van battery died.

The girls went over to shop at Stuff Etc. while Dad called roadside assitance

and got a jump. We made it home safely, only a half hour later than planned, thankfully!

Risefest Weekend - pt 2

In between all the concerts, we did sneak in a few other 

fun events with family!

First time at Chik-Fil-A 

and the girls had fun at the play place in Sioux City. 

When we got there, it was straight to the kiddie pool

and some cousin fun! It was HOT!

Avery fell in love with the kitties "Windy" and "Sandy"

running through the sprinkler 

snack time with Dakota and Weston

She's turning into a little animal lover 

helping Grandma make jello

Curt taking Avery for a ride 

Aubrey's turn too - even got to drive!

The girls have fun when Curt's around!

On Saturday in the late morning we headed to River's Bend

campground and pond in Rock Valley for a little beach time!

Avery had fun being tossed like a ball from Grandpa to Daddy!

We went with Curt and Grandpa and Grandma - very fun!

On Sunday it was Father's Day

Grandpa VG got his orange road runner up and running for us!

Grandpa took me and the girls for a RIDE!

She loved it - hair in the breeze and even a little drool going on!

(I like the Van Grouw farm in the background here)

She tried to fake that she liked it, but the wind and the gas smell

and the heat was a bit too much for her - she got dizzy. 

Aubrey's note for the guys

We let all the kids eat in the kitchen by themselves :)

lots of fun with all the VG cousins playing together 

Steve with his present from the girls - supposed to say DAD,

but Avery wanted it to say ADD!

We gave Grandma an early bday present which Jen painted. 

Aubrey gave this sweet card to Steve. 

Avery's card for Steve 

Getting crazy on the ride home.