Time with our Iowa family.

The month of July was HOT, dry and busy. We have had the most fun summer - but man we have been on the move! After being at the river for the 4th  - I hopped on a plane to Atlanta for Market for a week. Charlie spent some time in Carthage and dad held down the fort for a few days. 

The weekend after my return we had a visit from Aunt Monica - or "Boogie" as Charlie calls her. This is the second summer she has come to visit for a weekend by herself and we always have a great time. We did some swimming, some cooking out, made a farmer's market trip and she and Charlie squeezed in lots of laughs. Charlie is so blessed to have three aunts who truly think he hung the moon. 

Monica and Charlie had a dance party on Saturday night

We loved being with Monica so much that weekend, we packed up the car to spend a second weekend with her in Dubuque. We started out on Thursday afternoon and made an overnight pit stop in Des Moines to see the Reiners family. They were kind enough to feed us and give us a place to crash for the night. It was fun to see Grayce (almost 5) and Sweet baby Max who just turned 1. The kids played and played and we adults were able to visit and catch up. The weather was MUCH cooler and it was a treat to sit outside and not have to swat at mosquitoes! I guess I had too much fun since I snapped this ONE measly picture. Lame I know.

Friday we continued our journey north to Dubuque and made it in time to do a little swimming before a quick nap for the little guy. That night we met the Schultz family for Mexican and headed to the fair that was in town. It was a perfect night and so much fun to see Landon and Charlie having such a great time together.

On the tram headed into the fair grounds

We made it.

First stop... the bunny barn

Then a little lamb
that let Charlie give him a little love pat.

Then off to the games and rides!!!

These two had the BEST time.

Then we stumbled upon a game where they clocked your pitch...
This could have ended in a serious injury - Happy to report it didn't.
I thought Josh was going to throw his arm out and we would all end up
in the hospital for the night. He claims the gun was about 20 miles an hour off...
But either way, he won Charlie the big bat!

Charlie then immediately traded in his big bat for the smaller club that Landon chose.

Josh reminded him that if anyone asked, he had earned the larger of the two!

Got it dad!

Some orange sherbet to top off a great night.

Family Pictures

Saturday morning started off with craft time.

Nana picked up a make your own bouncy ball kit - Super Fun

Then we packed up and headed in to the new river museum in town. 

They had a salt water and fresh water aquarium and lot's of new things for Charlie to see and do.

Gigging a catfish

We saw an otter - not TOO close now.

We pulled our selves across the river on a barge like Daniel Boone

Up close and personal

Of course the alligator was our favorite

More swim time

Carried our trucks up the hill to dig in the dirt with Papa

And played bean bags with
Great Grandpa Gordy and Great Grandma Rosie

We watched a movie outside - complete with popcorn and treats

Sunday morning was rainy so we had another craft project.

Paint your own bird house.

It cleared off in time for the Schultz family to come over for some dinner and swimming.

Aunt Kelly (a former kindergarten teacher) brought a huge tub of Mr. Potato Heads 

for the boys to play with - Huge Hit!

They shared watermelon and roasted marshmellows.

We said our goodbyes until next time