Iowa State Fair

Yes....I am way behind on blogging, but better late than never. We had the chance to go to the Iowa State Fair this year with both families. It is an annual tradition to go with Kevin's family and we always have a good time. My parents were actually in Ames the week of the State Fair because my Dad had to go to school, thus after he was finished with school for the week we enjoyed a day at the fair. It was fun to show them around and we had a great day.

We enjoyed a variety of activities at the fair this year so I will let the pictures explain.

Tyler & Mommy enjoying the butterfly house

Daddy & Tyler enjoying ice cream.

My sister Kelly loved the cookies.

Taking a ride on the sky glider

Grandpa Kas & Tyler loving the big slide ~ that smiles says it all.

Grandpa Kas and Tyler looking at the tractors.

Grandma Kas & Tyler @ Little Hands on the Farm.

Grandma Rozenboom & Tyler enjoying the new fish aquarium.

Driving the tractor.

Grandma Rozenboom bought a ticket for Tyler to get his face painted. He wanted to be a panda.

Cooling off

Little Hands on the Farm.

Tyler & Cousin Avery at Little Hands on the Farm.

Enjoying the animals.

That's all for now!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Tyler

......is excited to tell everyone that he is going to be a Big Brother in March!! He loves telling everyone that Mommy has a baby in her tummy. :)

Adventureland Pictures & Daddy's Home

Kevin was gone to MN last week for work ~ this is the 2nd time he has been gone in July so Tyler is really missing his Daddy. Since Kevin got home late Friday night Tyler always wants to be by his Daddy and keeps saying "My Daddy's Home."

On Friday night Tyler & I enjoyed supper with some friends at the Grid Iron. It was a lot of fun. Saturday night we met Kevin's parents and Grandparents in Des Moines for supper and some mini-golf. It was a beautiful evening and everyone had a nice relaxing night.

As promised I have finally posted the pictures from Adventureland. Tyler had a blast at Adventureland as you can see from the pictures below.

Our little tour guide.

That's all for now. Enjoy the nice warm weather and have a great week!!!

July Update

I can't believe that July is almost over. July was a very busy month for us ~ along with being busy and having lots of fun, we are saddened by the death of our dear friend and neighbor Howard. Howard was a wonderful man and we will miss him dearly. Howard was diagnosed with ALS in March and passed away peacefully on July 17.

I first got to know Howard through State Farm and when Tyler was born Howard and his wife Jo Ann babysat Tyler for 2 1/2 years. Howard and Tyler were the best of buds and played many hours of basketball together while I was at work. Howard & JoAnn were like our family away from home. Howard would go above and beyond to help us out and will be greatly missed. Howard ~ we miss you and look forward to seeing you in Heaven some day.

Well, on a more positive note, we made a lot of great memories in July. Here is a summary:

The 4th of July was spent with Kevin's Family in Waterloo. We enjoyed a day at The Lost Island Waterpark along with our annual mini-golf tournament. Kevin was the winner this year so he was very happy about that. Tyler enjoyed mini-golfing as well and maybe someday he will be able to compete with his Daddy and win. :)

I only took one picture at the water park and that was of Tyler blowing bubbles. Not sure why I didn't take more pictures ~ totally not like me ~ but Kevin's Mom took a lot so I know where to find them.

Sunday July 5th we celebrated Kevin's Grandpa's 75th birthday. We surprised Grandpa by driving down for Sunday dinner. It was great to celebrate with him and spend time together as a family. Speaking of family, my cousin Michelle and her family stopped by Webster City for supper a couple of weeks ago. They were on their way to Des Moines so stopped by Webster City. It was great to see them again and it makes me so happy to have family come from back home.

Tyler & I have been spending lots of time outside. He got a Big Wheels for Christmas and loves to ride it around the block. Below is a picture ~ full of smiles.

The following Saturday we went to my sister Kelly's in Fairmont. My parents brought the boat and we had a wonderful time boating, water-skiing, kayaking, and tubing.

My sister Jennifer & her boyfriend Todd kayaking

Tyler driving Grandpa's truck with Daddy ~ he loves looking out the window at Grandpa's boat.

Tyler tubing for the first time. He loved it!!!

Enjoying life!!!

The week after that Kevin was in Springfield, Illinois for work. Tyler missed his Daddy greatly so it was kind of a long week, but everything went well. During that week I had a chance to meet my college friend Heather for lunch and a little shopping. Tyler played with Cousin Avery while I met Heather and had a blast. Thanks Holly for watching Tyler and thanks Heather for a fun day.

New Coop's summer outing this year was to an Iowa Cubs game and to Adventureland. The weather was really cool, but we still had lots of fun. I will post pictures of Adventurland on another post because my computer is being very slow tonight. Tyler loved the rides and I am very thankful to report that he doesn't get motion sick like his Mommy. Praise the Lord!!!

Last week was the Hamilton County Fair so we enjoyed the Fair Parade and a couple nights at the Fair with some friends. Tyler loved the animals this year so that was really neat ~ he especially liked the sheep.

Well, I think that pretty much sums up the month of July. I will try to get Adventureland pictures posted asap. I am tired tonight after a wonderful day of shopping at the outlet mall in Medford with my Mom and sister. Got lots of good deals!!!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and thanks for checking in on our family.

Boating Fun

We had a great trip to MN last weekend for Father's Day. It was great to spend time together as a family and spend time with my Dad on Father's Day. The weather was perfect ~ sunny & no wind ~ this is rare for MN.

We enjoyed Saturday at the lake. We had fun boating, water-skiing, and kayaking. Tyler had lots of fun at the lake and is by no means scared of water ~ he jumped right in ~ no fear ~ which is good and bad.

Kevin & I kayaking
Tyler & Grandma Kas driving the boat.

Tyler getting ready to jump in.

Having tons of fun!!!

Kevin & Tyler splashing

Kevin & I water skiing.

Enjoying the beautiful weather with a boat ride.

My sisters, Jennifer & Kelly kayaking.

This weekend was busy, but a lot of fun. Kevin & I had a date Friday night so that was a lot of fun. We went out for supper for his 30th birthday ~ he turns 30 on Wednesday, July 1st!! Saturday was Raspberry Festival in Webster City so we enjoyed the fireworks on Saturday evening with some friends.

Have a Happy 4th of July !!!

Hit & Run

As an insurance associate at State Farm I deal with accidents, hit and runs, deer claims, homeowner's claims everyday. However, now I am the one with a damaged car.

After work Monday evening I noticed that someone had hit my car while I was at work. I am confident the whoever hit my car knows that he/she did it with the amount of damage done. However, he/she failed to leave his/her insurance information and name so I guess Kevin & I will be the one paying for the damage.

Thankfully it was the car and not the blazer, but it is still an inconvenience and I am confident that I could find a lot of other ways to to spend this money. However, I am thankful that it wasn't worse and no body was hurt. Like I tell me customers a car can be fixed!!!!

Here are a few pictures !!!

Zoo Fun

Tyler & I enjoyed a day at the Blank Park Zoo with Shawna and Mitchell Van Zee. Mitchell & Tyler had a lot of fun together and it was fun to watch them interact. We had a great time riding the train and watching the animals. Tyler & I have been reading a book about Zebra's and Giraffe's so we was excited when he got to see both of them.

After the Zoo, Shawna & I enjoyed a little shopping!! It was a great day and we were thankful that it started to rain after we were done with the Zoo.

Here are a few pictures.

Tyler & I enjoying the train ride.
Tyler & Mitchell watching the Sea Lion Show

The Zebra

Mitchell & Tyler having fun together.

Have a great week!!