Sprinklers, bubbles and chalk...

Some of the best things about Iowa are the things that money can't buy.  Getting to spend quality time outside with loved ones is the best. And if there is one thing Iowans have perfected is that they know what really matters in life and how to give thanks for it.

This trip to Iowa, we spent as much time as we could outside.  And I admit, at first it took me some time to remember we weren't in the scorching hot desert and if Isabelle fell down on the sidewalk she wouldn't sustain 3rd degree burns.  But quickly adjust we did, and before we know it the kids realized they were in Heaven and could run barefoot in the grass from sun up to sun down and enjoy the wide open spaces.

One of the days we enjoyed just being outside.  The weather was hot and sticky and the sun was shining so we decided it was the perfect afternoon for sprinklers, bubbles and sidewalk chalk. 

The kids loved every minute and at dusk we had to peel their toes off the grass just to get them to come inside for a bath.

These are the memories that last a lifetime.  These are the memories that are so special to me because they are so special to my children.

Aunt Megan is the best and some day she's going to make an amazing mother.  Until then, my children are going to take advantage of as much Aunt Megan-love the can get.

Meanwhile Grandma and Isabelle seemed inseparable.  Where ever Grandma was, Isabelle was, and if Isabelle wasn't in her arms or hugging her feet, there was the sound of "ga-ma" echoing in the halls, while she searched for her.

Even Grandpa Chip participated in the fun.  Getting to see my parents, who never seem to slow down or take a break from the endless work, actually did stop and enjoyed spending time being together.  Funny how grandchildren can change perspectives of what is really a priority and make one clearly see what can wait for tomorrow.

 

Until next time,

angie

Racin Cars...

When Jarrett was a little boy his family lived behind the high school in our town.  One of the best things about being a little boy and living behind the high school, was not looking at all the pretty older girls leaving school at the end of the day, but instead racing Matchbox cars down the water drainage way next to the school.  Jarrett says that he, Jeremy and Nolan would find their best cars and have competitions as to whose could be the champion. 

As we talked about what we wanted to do on our trip to Iowa, racing cars at the high school with the boys was one of the first things Jarrett said he wanted to do.  So race cars is what we did.  And we did it the exact same way he did when he was a boy.  We stopped at the local Fleet Farm where he spent a dollar each on matchbox cars that had been sitting there for quite sometime waiting for someone to purchase them.

Then we went to the high school and with Uncle Adam and Aunt Megan, we all raced cars.  The kids, especially the adult kids, had a lot of fun and we've determined were getting old, because we found ourselves talking like our parents and grandparents.  "They just don't make things the way they use to."  we kept saying over and over.  Where once a metal Matchbox car could be found racing down the pavement, was now replaced with a much cheaper (and lighter) plastic car.  Turns out plastic cars don't race the same way metal older cars did.

But alas, lots of fun was had and new memories were created.  Making memories has been the goal of this family vacation, and even though some memories are not as perfect as the Norman Rockwell photos of the past, they are still memories and wonderful ones at that.

Until next time,
Angie

On Iowa and Go Hawks!

When we lived in Iowa, and while I worked at the University of Iowa and Jarrett attended law school, I remember walking around campus and pointing out the alumni returning.  It was easy to identify them.  They were the ones that proudly sporting their Iowa clothing with camera around their neck, and arms outstretched: to the nearest building, shaded spot on the lawn, or newest building all while telling their younger offspring about what it was like in their day. 

Today, Jarrett and I joined that special group of folks, and did exactly that.  After six years, we returned to the great place of Iowa City and showed our children what our life was like before them.  We dressed them up on their nicest Iowa gear, hauled a backpack around campus just like we did back in the day, touted a camera around our neck and talked hour after hour about how the city had changed, where we went to class and where we use to live.  It was great. It was wonderful.

And although the memories were much more interesting to Jarrett and I, than the boys, they willingly listened, asked questions and even wanted to return to my "classroom" to sit in my seat.  Gabriel asked where the second graders lived and Michael asked where the playground was for the little kids.  Even though we've explained college to them multiple times, I think its hard for them to fully grasp how it differs from their elementary school.

In addition to walking around campus, I was able to visit some great friends I use to work with at the visitors center.  There's a saying about true friends being able to go years without talking and upon seeing each other be able to catch right up where they left off.  That's the case with my friends at the AVC.  As we walked in unannounced and having not talked to many in several years, we were greeted with warm hugs, loving smiles and genuine caring conversation.  Being able to work with the people at the Iowa Admissions Visitor Center was wonderful and it remains the standard against which other places are compared.  It was enjoyable to catch up, even for a few minutes, and although we disrupted their work place, the kids thought it was awesome.  They not only got Herky tattoos but gold helium balloons to carry around campus.  They carried them with pride as Michael said, "Mom, we are really lucky to get these balloons, I bet everyone else would like them too."  And as we made it to the Pentacrest, the heart of the U of Iowa campus, we released a balloon up into the air and told the kids to make a wish.  Michael said, "Mom, now God will have a Hawkeye balloon, he will love it!" 

As we finished making the tour and now are on our journey back home, I've realized we have a new memory now to add to our file of many great memories from our time in Iowa City  Going to school there was life-changing as we grew into adulthood, and decided what we wanted to do in our life.  Jarrett and I began our journey into marriage and spent several great years living in the community within the college but also outside of it.  We developed friendships and formed a family that will always be special to us.  And now, we bring our children back and reminisce about the wonderful life we had when we called Iowa home.

And now, as we leave Iowa City as a visitor, I think about what Michael Barron, the former Director of Admissions at U of Iowa would always say to visitors in his concluding remarks...

On Iowa and GO HAWKS!

 

 

 

Until next time,

Angie

 

Precious mornings...

While I was lucky enough to spend an early morning (and by early I mean 4:45 a.m.) out running with my inspiring cousin as she trained for a 10K she's doing in a few months (more on that in a future post), my precious little ones (all 4 of them), were doing this...

Isn't sleeping the best when you have someone to curl up next to; even if they steal all the covers from you?

 And sleeping with a baby. Oh how I love it, even though she turns everywhich way.

Watching my family sleep always makes me smile.  The peacefulness, the calm and quiet and the beauty of their innocence, all things that scream out to me in the silence of their sleep.

How blessed I am.

Until next time,
Angie

There's something about that hair...

We all remember Cameron Diaz's hair from Something About Mary....

well the other day, I couldn't resist taking Belle's picture because she reminded me of exactly that.

Until next time,

Angie

Spaghetti face...

Belle loves to feed herself.  She has mastered the use of the spoon and loves to use a fork.  Something about the adventure of possibly stabbing her face with a fork, is exciting to her.

 

Recently we let her feed herself spaghetti.

And although she loves to feed herself and can easily maneuver her fork and spoon, actually hitting the target is another challenge.  A challenge for another day.

 

Until then, we'll just celebrate with our little Belle.  How can you not love that face?

 

Until next time,

Angie

 

Fourth of July

This year, just like last year, I attempted to take a picture of the kids on the morning of the 4th.  Last year Isabelle was 5 months old and at the time I should have realized how easy it was to snap a quick picture of them.

That has all changed now that Isabelle is mobile, and by mobile I mean constantly moving.  This year I attempted to take picture after picture where I tried to find one where they were all looking at ME!  Now I know what those school photographers feel like when they try to take the class picture.  IMPOSSIBLE.

I literally took more than 80 pictures thanks to the automatic continuous picture taking feature, (how's that for a technical term?) and here are some of the memories I was able to capture.

If nothing else, maybe some day we'll look back and laugh at just how silly and funny the kids are...

 Isabelle, look at Mommy.  Isabelle...

 Now smile, please!!!!

 Yay! SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE!  Jack look at me!!

 Hey Isabelle, Look at Mommy.  Please ignore Barney.  at this point I'm now trying to yell over Barney to get her attention.

 Isabelle, don't kick Jack.  Isabelle, please DON'T KICK JACK!

 This is where I resulted with bribery and gave Isabelle M&M's while I tried to get a good picture of all 4 of them.  Notice the candy in her mouth.

 Okay, did mom say look serious or something? I said smile PLEASE!!!

 at this point the boys are over me and my lack of photography skills.  I'm still begging Isabelle to look at me.

 Michael, what's wrong with your nose?

 Oh sorry Michael, I didn't see Jack lick you.  Isabelle will you please look at Mommy?

 This is when Isabelle decided she was done.

 

And then Jack got bored with the pictures, but mommy wanted to try one more time.  DAD!!!! Come help me please!

 And thanks to Dad, everyone now had someone to look at (other than me).

 Out of all the photos I took, this one is one of my favorites.  Isabelle and Michael's bond is very obvious.  Here's what she did all on her own.  I loved how she just slid over and put her cheek next to his.  She then turned, put her hand on his head and leaned in for a kiss (and of course mom missed that picture).

 I love how they love.

 

 

 

Here's hoping your fourth was as happy, fun and loving as the one I attempted to capture.

 

Until next time,

Angie