RAGBRAI . . . Here and Gone

This weekend we were able to witness an experience we have been waiting for since we moved to NW Iowa. . . RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).  This year over 15,000 bicyclists emerged upon Sioux Center as their starting point to literally ride across Iowa in the next few days.  And we were fortunate that our home, just outside of town, was along the route!

We started by enjoying the festivites in town and riding our bikes around to check out what it was all about.

We stayed in town until late watching the fireworks, but that did not keep us from getting up at 6:30am to watch all the bikes come right past our house! We invited some of our good friends and had a yummy breakfast while waving "hello" to all the fun people up bright and early to beat the 100 degree heat heading our way.



The early bird. . . still a little sleepy!




Breakfast and bikes with friends




The view to the west from our house




The view to the east. . . quite the hill to climb!




Cooper finally joined us at 9am!




Good friends!!!



We did have one rider stop to eat with us towards the end and he was quite the character.. even blessing us with a few Catholic jokes.  Everyone left our house by 10am and we headed inside. . . thankful for a positive RAGBRAI experience.  Looking forward to next time!

And I'll leave you with a shot of what happens to your son's feet when you let him play outside during RAGBRAI with only Crocs on. . . GROSS!!!

Ways to feel old

I've been in my 30s for almost a year and half now, but there are certain things that definintely make me feel old!

Matt and I have been together for eleven years, married for seven and have two beautiful boys of our own.  We've finished college, started jobs, moved and purchased our first house. We've bought cars, sold cars, paid off loans and talked in depth about what form of the company's insurance is best for our family.  Most recently we've had the "where do we see ourselves in the next 5-10 years discussion" (knowing full well we will be in our 40s in ten years) and it has really made me step back and think about how much I miss the carefree days of college when our biggest concern was what to wear to the upcoming date party!

And while all of that makes me feel old, the latest has been the fact that my little brother (yes, the same one who used to sing "Down by the Bay" at the top of his lungs, the same one who was OBSESSED with the Ninja Turtles and the very one I remember praying for when I found out I would be a big sister) is celebrating a whole year of wedded bliss to the most awesome girl he could have found!!!

Happy 1st Anniversary to two of our favorite people in the world. . . even if you make me feel old!

My personal cabana boy

Today has been a great day!  We spent the morning at the park with some of my favorite MOPS mommies and the kids all played really well together.  We hurried home for a quick lunch and then our awesome sitter came and took Ben to the pool for a few hours.  Before Cooper's nap, we played out back for awhile so he could enjoy some sunshine as well.  I, of course, dragged my chair over to the kiddie pool so I could keep cool and ended up with my very own cabana boy who was more than happy to pour water on my toes to help me out!  Today we're Embracing the Camera with the little man . . . and my big feet! (he wouldn't let me get a shot of the two of us so this will have to do!)

We also tried a new way of enjoying the pool...over and over!  So many uses for that one little slide!

Unfortunately after awhile it was time to get out and head in for a nap...but of course Coop needed to dry off in the sun first.

Ah...the life of a stay-at-home mom.  Days like these I would not trade for anything!!!

Happy Fourth (a few days later!)

We are finally recovered from another great 4th of July here in Iowa!  The weather was quite hot last week but we kept cool by playing in the water!

This year, we celebrated America's freedom with our same group of friends as we have the past few years...and our group is growing!

2009

2010

2011

2012

We are so blessed to get to spend this holiday with our friends. Especially since we all have kids 5 years old and younger that play really well together and generally have a good time while their moms and dads hang out.

This year, our boys had a great time playing in the water, eating popsicles and watching fireworks with all of their friends.  Here's to many more fun times together!!!

Techno Friends

Ah technology!  Bringing friends and family together, even when they are sitting on top of each other.

Coop had his friend Isaac over the other night and someone pulled out their Kindle and let him play Angry Birds.  Cooper has seen Ben play this before but it was hilarious to watch him be mesmerized by tiny little colorful birds flying through the air, trying to destroy as much as possible!

Pretty sure they are texting each other here!

It's hard to imagine what kind of technology these two will see during their lifetimes!  For now, we don't mind being ignored in favor for it...it's the only time they'll sit still!!!