Annabelle's 10th Birthday Party, Aug 4, 2012

Annabelle had a beach party for her 10th birthday party. We drove the girls to Kent Park Beach. Grandpa Slaugh was here to help drive and watch our little ones. We had pizza and watermelon and pink lemonade in coconut cups.

 We've had hot, hot weather all summer. This particular day a storm came through during the day and cooled us off. So our evening at the beach was a bit cool, but the water was still warm.

Annabelle had a fabulous birthday weekend! Friday was her actual birthday. She didn't have to do any chores. She baked in her easy bake oven with friend Emily. She made pudding and jello, too. Grandpa Slaugh came! She opened presents. We went out to eat at Bandana's BBQ. Grandpa Slaugh put the kids to bed while Heidi and Ezra went out to the movies to celebrate their 11th anniversary. Saturday started with the youth triathlon. Then the party in the evening. Super fun!

"Just Tri" Youth Triathlon

Aug 4, 2012

Annabelle and Jonah signed up to do a youth triathlon at the North Liberty Rec Center.

Orange swim caps were ages 12-14. Blue caps swim caps were ages 9-11. Yellow swim caps were ages 6-8.

So excited to start! Let's get this thing going!

They started in heats of about 10, lined up along the pool. Annabelle had to swim a full lap, 50 meters.

This is the transition area, getting ready to bike.

Annabelle biked 2 miles.

Final leg: run 1 mile.

Phew, done! And well done!

Jonah started about 20 minutes after Annabelle. His group got to dive in and swim 25 meters. 

Jonah had quick transitions. Here he is on the bike: 1 mile

And now the run: 1/4 mile. Jonah sure sprinted in at the end!

Great job triathletes! Annabelle and Jonah were exhausted at the end. They worked hard and earned their finisher's medal. Yeah!

And here are some other pictures I took before, during and after while we waited. Grandpa Slaugh was here to help play with the little ones during the event.

Summer Fun, July 2012

We still do sprints in the backyard again. Grace is usually the one who asks to do them. Finn has started running with us sometimes. Here we have Carter's kids with us, Alexa and Jack.

Making mud pies.

You can really see that new tooth coming in!

Woah, messy eater!

 Notice Olivia's winter hat. She likes to position the string to hang right down the middle of her face. But it is the middle of summer! Why the hat at all?

Also notice the box in between the seats. That is Annabelle's creation. She wanted a cup holder for the ride to Lizz and David's house.

This was visiting Grandma Susan a few weeks after her crash. Susan and Arne were in a car accident. The tires of the truck they were driving blew out. The truck swerved, went off the road and rolled a few times. Arne came out with only cuts and bruises. Susan had a broken wrist, broken ribs, broken neck, lacerations on her head, very bad. But she is healing! Finn and Olivia were still happy to be able just to lay next to Grandma and watch movies with her. This is at her house.

I love Olivia's outfits. She is 4 1/4 now.

One day Olivia had changed clothes for the 4th time by noon. Her older sister commented, "did you just change your clothes AGAIN?" Olivia calmly replied, "Well, at least I'm beautiful."

Weekend in MN, Saffi's Baptism

July 28, 2012

We had a great weekend in MN visiting Lizz and David and their family. We got there late at night Friday night. Saturday morning we went to the park to play ball. Arne, Emmeline and Justus played with us, too. Fun!

Back at the house, Finn found Schafer's battle toys and loved using them.

Jonah and Schafer played legos together. Look at those creations!

The girls were invited to a tea party at the neighbors. Using fine china and sticking out their pinkies made it extra special.

The reason for the trip was Saffi's baptism. It was held Saturday afternoon. Great program. We took family pictures afterwards.

And I couldn't pass up these darling pictures of Olivia and Violet, wearing dresses from Aunt Emmey.

Summer Camps July 2012

Annabelle and Jonah both got to participate in summer camps this year.

Annabelle went to a chemistry camp at the University of Iowa. From 1-4pm every day for 2 weeks the class met in a lab on campus where they used gloves, goggles, Bunsen burners and everything! They had fun mixing elements to see chemical changes - changing color, exploding, smoking, burning... They discovered how heat or cold can alter the reaction time. They made bouncy balls - they had to figure out the best ratio of ingredients to produce the best bounce. They made gooey goop. Annabelle enjoyed the camp!

Annabelle was very nervous the first day to be dropped off. She wanted us to come in with her.  But after that first day she was just fine. 

Jonah went to a wrestling camp at Iowa State University in Ames. He got to stay with G&G for a whole week. Emmeline and Arne and Justus took turns driving him to and fro. Jonah had three 2-hour sessions a day working with I-State wrestling coaches. They even went to the pool together one day. He had a good time!

Jonah was curious, but not really nervous to be dropped off at camp.