The Zoo

I didn't take many pictures (one to be exact) while at the zoo but this one is of Tom and the kids looking at the rhino's, I think.

After the zoo we had a picnic lunch a the park.

The kids on our last day of vacation. All ready to go home! Thanks again, Beth and Ryan, for EVERYTHING!

While at Auntie Beth's..... the kids loved playing in the sprinkler (the first time this year)

and riding bikes and tractors (and anything else with wheels) up and down the sidewalk

and in the yard

and playing in the sprinkler....again!

My favorite, and Mom's and Beth's too, was relaxing on the front porch.

Fun in Madison

We visited my sister and her family again in Madison, WI, earlier this month. My brother from Cedar Rapids, IA, and sister from Chicago also visited while we were there.
It's a lot of work to get the whole gang fed.
Bath time with the cousins.

The weather was nice and we enjoyed good food and company.

Enjoying story time with Grandpa

Jacob loves his little cousin but Joseph is in a stage where he is leary of anyone but Mom or Dad.

These two are only two months apart in age. They had so much fun playing with each other.

Joey Loves Uncle Tom

Joey got to meet his Uncle Tom for the first time while we were in Madison. They hit it off right away. However, Tom was tired out from a big bike ride over the weekend and valiantly tried to get Joey to nap with him with no luck - Joey just would not cooperate!

Still More Madison Photos....

Madison got a lot of rain while we were there. Sunday, while in church, it rained really hard and Beth and Ryan's sump pump was working over-time to keep the water out of their basement. The drain pipe proved to be a huge source of enterainment for the kids that afternoon. Olivia would have swam in it if she could have. We had to change her clothes a couple of times that day after she got them all wet!

My Rock Star Fantasy?

Actually, I never desired, even remotely, to be a rock star until I played this game last weekend. My brother-in-law, Greg, brought his Wii and Guitar Hero game. I hate to admit it but I am addicted! It was so fun and challenging! After several attempts, Ryan and I finally mastered one song that we had to go through several rounds before getting it and not being booed off the stage! Ryan, YOU ROCK!

More Madison Photos....

The ride on toys were a hit with the little ones. Olivia appreciated having lots of concrete to ride on and would want to ride a lot farther down the sidewalk than I was comfortable with!

On Saturday night we loaded up three cars full and we all went to a Mexican restaurant to eat. Olivia and I rode with Greg and Alicia. Those two girls in the backseat giggled the entire way. It was so fun to hear their laughter back there.!

Hanging out on the porch was a favorite for all of us....