Remodeling started

sink window from outside

new window from the outside - on the front of the house

new window in the dinning area

new window over the kitchen sink

we got two of the three new kitchen windows put in last friday. hoping to get the last one in today and then order more for the bedrooms and bathroom. I also started ripping off the border in the kitchen so we can get things moving on the updating in there.

Last day at the pool

Hayden coming down the blue slide

He loved being big enough for all the slides this year!

Nile going down the family slide

Sis at snack time

the boys ready for a snack too

Hayden's in 1st grade!!

State Fair 2011

Loved all the little painted cows everywhere!

Miss Aubrey

no house divided here but we liked this half of the cow!

Hayden and I on the giant slide - Nile didnt want to try it

three sets of helping hands on the farm!

As summer comes to a close...

Well it has been a fun, busy summer for our family. We have taken a few small vacations and done some fun things with the kids. This was our first official summer break from school and with me being home full time now I wanted to take full advantage of spending lots of fun time with the kids. Next Monday I will have a First grader and then Nile will start preschool two afternoons a week after Labor Day.

The kids and I spent a lot of time at the Pella pool this summer and we all have nice tans to prove it!! I dont think I have been this tan for many years! The boys have a lot of fun with their diving sticks and other water toys and Aubrey just loves the water too!!

We had some fun at a few different car shows this summer as well. We started out with Good Guys over the weekend of the fourth of July. Then we had our car show here in Pella and that was lots of fun too! Last weekend we had the Rumer Tumer car rally and show to raise money for my old job share partner and it was a lot of fun.

We went to KC for a long weekend at the end of June and that was a great trip. We also made a trip up to the Iowa State Fair for lots of fried food and walking!!

We took a one day trip up to Adventureland with the boys and all had our fill our rides and fun there for one year.

All in all we had a great summer and are sad to see it go but we are looking forward to the return a routine and of course - FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

University of Iowa

Well I have officially completed my first class a few weeks back and finally got my grade for my last test and my overall grade for the course. I am happy to say I pulled off an A- for the class and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hear hoping that my next semester goes as smoothly since it will be longer and I will be taking three classes rather than just the one!!

Friday we headed to Iowa City to do some tax free shopping and so I could get my student ID made. Wow if that doesn't make a girl feel old standing next to early 20 something/late teens kids then I don't know what does. I suppose it didn't help to have my husband and three kids in tow either. But I got it done and am really hoping we can use it to score some good deals on wrestling and b-ball games this fall/winter!! I asked Jeremy if I could buy and Iowa Alumni sticker for my car but he said not yet - oh well, something to strive for I guess. I suppose the saying is true - "better late than never!"

I already have my books for this fall and start the same day Hayden heads back to school. It is crazy that I paid as much if not a little more for my one psychology book as I did for the books I need for three classes this semester!! My tuition is set to be paid from our checking account this week so if any of you out there are interested in donating to a great cause - ie my education - just let me know and I will get you my address to mail the checks to!! HAHA I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream right?!

Well that is all for now. Hopefully soon I will be blogging about all of our successful renovations and new windows but until then....God Bless and have a great week!!

Allison

Swimming at Grandma Cathy's

Aubrey and Grandma Cathy - didnt get any pictures of the boys since they were so busy jumping in and splashing around but a good time was had by all!!

Napping in the swing

Playing in Jacob and Emma's hot rod stroller at the Osky car show

Go Fish!!

Hayden and Treyson at the concert

me

the boys sitting on the stage before the concert

When Hayden brought home a paper at the end of the school year about a concert by a band called Go Fish I have to admit that I really didnt look at it too close and sent it straight to the recycle. The a few weeks ago we got an email from church about a Backyard Bible Club they were going to do similar to VBS so I went ahead and signed Hayden up since Nile was too little. Since Hayden went to the bible club he got a free ticket to the concert, a backstage pass & a CD. So I went and bought tickets for Nile and I to go too and we listened to the CD and I have to admit it was really good!

The concert was this past friday and it was awesome!!! I am so glad we went and we are now fully stocked on their CDs and listen to them everyday!! It was fun to take the boys and two of my cousins kids to the concert and watch they dance and sing and just praise God - it was an amazing experience and if Go Fish is every in this area again I will for sure be getting tickets to see them again!!

Last TIP for 2011

Last Thursday was the final Thursday night in Pella for 2011. It was one of the boys' favorites - Ag in the City.

Aubrey enjoying a sucker since she was a little to small for all the fun this year.

The boys at the top of the little ferris wheel.
ready for a train ride!!

Nile riding a horse from Dan D Farms

Hayden riding his horse!