Let's Swim!

The hot July days Chris and I remember growing up in Iowa decided not to show up during our trip. :) We only made it to the Winterset Aquatic Center once, but the kids had a ball!

Camden couldn't get enough of the little water slide. He'd get to the bottom and shout, "Again!" Taking a ride down the slide with Mommy
In true Winterset fashion, there is a covered bridge mini slide

Emma loved playing with these fountains!

Ridin' in style!

Emma's new goggles

Winterset

I will admit that it has really bothered me that I wasn't able to update our blog in my usual timely fashion the past few weeks. We are now home and after going through 600+ pictures, it is high time I share some of the fun we had during the second half of our trip to Iowa. After the big 4th of July bash, we headed to central Iowa to my hometown, Winterset.

Camden helping Nana water flowers. Emma got her hair trimmed and curled on Monday afternoon. With the humidity and inheriting my hair that refuses to curl, this is what she got. :)
Playing at a park in West Des Moines. This is the longest Camden has ever spent in the swing. It must be Nana's magic touch.

Hanging out in the hot tub with Grandpa.

As Nana mowed, Camden and Emma help sweep off the driveway.

Camden painting...

Enjoying some ice cream at Blank Park Zoo

Riding the train at the zoo-the highlight for Camden!

My parents also kept our old Radio Flyer wagon and the kids had a blast in it!

Hanging out at Granny's house.

Chris is playing the original Mario Brothers on our Atari 2600!

Home

915 South 8th Avenue has been my home since the day I was brought home from the hospital.  My toy room is still in the basement and my bedroom looks pretty much the same.  It's great to be back home right now.  Unfortunately Emma is feeling a bit under the weather and we are hoping a little R & R will have her back to her old self soon.  She has a big day on Saturday-her flower girl debut.  I haven't figured out how to download pictures to my parent's computer, so stay tuned for them!

There's Nothing Like Family

Catching up with Grandma Rose Emma making brownies with Jen and Casey

Grandma Rose and her 5 great grandchildren
Camden, Holden, Lily, Emma, and Calvin

Camden, Lori, and Tim

Casey, Tim, and Chris-what a trio!

The brothers and their beautiful ladies

THE family picture!

Uncle Casey and Emma...

Uncle Tim and Emma...

The Kasparek Men

Marie with her guys

4th of July Bash!

The rain stopped just in time for the big Kasparek 4th of July Party. Camden and Emma helped Pops decorate the yard.
Sydney and Emma picked up right where they left off almost 2 years ago and had a blast!

We were so happy that the Watts family came over from Peoria to join the fun. Camden and Julia weren't quite sure what to think of one another...

Hanging out with Chris and Rachael.

Even though it was not pool weather, Camden was ready to swim!

Chris, Chris, and Kori- The boys from Schweinfurt'97.

Emma and Aubrey loved being pushed around on the boats.
Marie braved the cold and joined me, too! ;)

A great reunion with Kathleen and Harry.

Getting ready for the band...

Enjoying the great live music!

Sparklers!

4th of July Race

When the alarm went off early this morning we thought Mother Nature was playing a joke on us with some rainy Washington weather here in Iowa. It's almost 1:00 and we're still waiting for the rain to stop. We grabbed our rain gear and headed to Cedar Rapids for the big 4th of July race. Here is Chris taking off in the 8K race.
Our surprise cheerleaders-Jen and Casey! We are thrilled that they made it to Iowa for the weekend!

The Kasparek runners!
Chris and Tim ran the 8K, Lori and I ran the 5K, and Emma ran the Kid's quarter mile

What a family!

Emma started off so strong and confident!

Coach Tim and Daddy followed along with her.

Coming into the finish line...

Lori's parents have some pictures of the 2 Kasparek ladies, so I will post those soon!

Pop's Digger

When we came to Iowa the last time (September of '07), Emma saw Pop's new digger when we visited one of his job sites. Since that day, whenever she sees a digger, she always says, "That's a digger like Pop's!!" Along with swimming in the pool, riding the digger was at the top of her wish list for this trip. This afternoon was the big ride!

During Emma's ride, Camden kept saying, "Camden's turn! Camden's turn!"