Monday

The Iowa weather has finally improved!!! No humidity, perfect temperatures and especially NO RAIN. Last night David took us for a perfect evening to Big Creek Lake (Saylorville) for a ride on the pontoon boat he and some of his buddies bought. I had never been to Big Creek and I LOVED IT. It's a no wake lake and on a Monday there weren't a lot of people it was a beautiful evening. Want to go again when we take time to grill and fish on the boat.

Sunday Fun

This past Sunday turned into a wonderful day where none of the activities were pre-planned. I think David gets bored when Alicia is working weekends and nights so he showed up "just to check in". Then he went to both of his grandparents' houses to do some yard work saying he'd probably show back up at our house. So I decided I should make some supper for him. Making supper for David turned into an evening enjoyed with family. Mike, Leah, Caleb, John, Kari, Finley and Payton all ate with us, the kids enjoyed the pool and harvesting the peas they had planted earlier, Mom and Dad came out for the continued burning of the branches from the two downed spruce trees. David continued to work hauling the branches to the fire to keep it going. Alicia joined us for a brief time after getting off work.

Today we had two pine trees west of the house cut down. They were mostly dead and we decided to have them taken out and plant one new tree in their place. It's amazing how much shade even a mostly dead tree provides as I already miss the two trees. Now we (Jim) has the fun job of playing with his chain saw and cutting it up. They say you get warmed twice 1) when cutting the wood and 2) when sitting by the fire burning it. I think we'll get warmed three ways if we have to cut this up in this heat and humidity.

Another year and the 7th WHO Tractor Ride for Jim. We made it to Burlington yesterday at a decent time and unloaded with ease (much improvement from last year's stressful unloading and denting of the car). Today Jim rode through some rain shortly after noon. This afternoon they are going to be driving through Geode State Park. He's excited for Wednesday when they will drive over the Mississippi River. Last night we did some minimal sight seeing down by the river at the world famous Snake Alley. Neither of us had been there before.

Last weekend we camped for our seventh annual church campout. Yes it rained, and rained and rained at night and early morning, but we still had fun with friends. Memories are always made in what seems like these awful times.

Caleb also had his first bicycle ride. He loves it! I took him for a ride in Prairie City for about an hour this week. Can't start them to early loving the outdoors and biking.

Beautiful Sunday June 6, 2010

Upon awaking this morning there was a wonderful refreshing breeze coming in our north bedroom window. The sun was shining and I got up and went straight outside to start a campfire. It was wonderful to just sit by the fire and take in the sights around me, and I took pictures just for you. We have been enjoying many birds, the gold finches in the top picture and the cardinal (on the ground to the right) in the second picture. The other three are scenes of what we see when we look around a 270 degree circle from where I was sitting by the fire. I love looking at all the green grass and corn and there is also the robin on the fence post. What a great day!