End of Summer Things!

We are soaking of the last days of summer break!

We've spent LOTS of days out in our little pool!

We took Jimmy John's to the park to eat lunch and play.

Last week was a little cooler so we hit all the parks - Edmunson Park here. 

On Monday, August 11, a DERECHO STORM swept through Iowa and beyond and caused a lot of widespread hurricane-like damage. We spent an hour downstairs to wait it out - thankful for a nice basement to distract the girls and also that we didn't sustain much damage and kept our power on!

The girls had back-to-back "sleepovers" downstairs. Avery on the couch and Aubrey on the floor - they have to much fun doing this together. 

We went to Des Moines to do some back to school shopping for school supplies and clothes. We hit Red Robin for supper. YUMMMM.

Aubrey had really taken an interest in photography and found my older digital camera but also likes to use Avery as a model and take pictures on my phone, too :) Avery is very willing to oblige. 

Our "twenty-something" single neighbor Joe had a birthday and we surprised him by making him this birthday sign on his door. He came over and thanked us for it and even left it up for a few days :)

Playing at FRIENDS PARK

The girls and their imagination - so fun! I hope they never lose their sense of play!

Playing at our school park - while I weeded the cement. 

 

Adventureland

We have been wanting to go to Adventureland for a couple of weeks

and we were planning to go on Tuesday, but due to the Derecho storm

that blasted Iowa, it was closed that day so we risked going on Wednesday.

There was a chance of afternoon storms but it all dissipated and we had a great day!

We got there around 11:00 and ate an early lunch in the van

and stayed until about 6:30.

We hit the Culver's across the street for supper! 

All my photos loaded in a crazy so, there's that.

Steve and Aubrey 

We all did the bumper cars and had a quick go of it before they shut them down for a bit before they had to sanitize the cars.

Both girls on the Carousel as the LAST RIDE of the day!

Waiting in the short line at the train at the end of the day. We were hot and sunburned, but there was only about 15 people on the whole train ride.

While Steve wanted to go on the Monster again by himself, I took the girls to Barnyard Bernie's for some more of the kiddie rides and park. 

Us girls also hit the Underground while Steve was in line. The actual park wasn't that busy, BUT they spaced out on the rides and put an empty row and/or seats between groups so the wait lines for some rides were longer. 

Aubrey and Steve on the OUTLAW - Aubrey's favorite ride of the day! Since there was no line they got to go twice back to back and never get off!

We didn't know if we were going to make it swimming but were SO GLAD the rain disappeared! We spent about three and a half hours there - so fun!

Steve took the girls in the WAVE POOL and they loved it! I didn't totally trust Steve with both girls in the waves but it was worth it! 

The girls enjoy doing the lilypads with the ropes, too!

Chuck Wagons before swimming!

 The whole family tried the TORNADO!

We happened to see our old babysitter's kids in line behind us!

Avery's FIRST and possibly last time! After the first drop she wanted it to stop :)

Aubrey's FIRST TIME on the MONSTER with STEVE! She's been wanting to do it but thought she was going to fall out! Once was enough for this year. 

Going up.....AHHHHHHH!

While they were in line for the MONSTER, Avery was ok to do some of the "kiddie rides" by herself to pass the wait time!

Poor girl was a little freaked out waiting in line!

The horses in Barnyard Bernie's section 

Doing the UNDERGROUND as a family! 30 minute wait due the restrictions and sanitizing. 

This was Avery's favorite ride - she loves it!

The VERY FIRST ride of the day - Aubrey's first time on the SPACE SHOT - she was FREAKED but can now say she's done it! She didn't hold her head back well enough so had a bit of whiplash. 

Two years ago Avery LOVED the Frog Hopper, this year it was just ok - she's getting bigger!

 

Van Grouw Cousins Visit

On Friday later afternoon, Josh, Weston and Dakota came for a visit

while Jessica and Lennon stayed back to manage their rummage sale in Inwood.

We enjoyed Breadeaux Pizza that Friday night 

Dakota slept with Aubrey both nights

And Weston stayed in Avery's room!

Bedtime stories with Steve

Dakota wanted Aubrey to read Frozen 2

On Saturday morning, we were up early and ready for donuts at 7:30!

Josh and the kids brought their bikes so we hit the bike trails by 8:30 that morning!

Some of us got dropped off at the trail while the others biked down the big hill.

All the bikers looking good - a beautiful morning for a ride!

Aubrey, Weston, Dakota, Avery 

We made it to our goal of going to the Environmental Learning Center

but we wanted to keep going! 

We made a few stops along the way to go exploring and threw some rocks in the creek.

At one of our breaks we all had a skid-mark contest here

After our 3.75 mile bike ride we cooled off with a Magic Painting activity. 

Since everyone was up at 5:30, alone time and naps were in order, but once that was done

we hit our little swimming pool!

It was a little breezy, and some made it longer than others :)

A pop ice is always a must when swimming!

After playing outside all afternoon, after supper we went to the

Oskaloosa Mini Putt - gorgeous evening! 

Lots of fun was had!

Sunday morning shenanigans! 

Playing games before church 

A little walk to see where the horses are before lunch!

It was a FUN weekend with cousins!