Spontaneous Adventure

This past weekend Nick was going to compete in a mountain bike race near Iowa City. We decided to extend the trip and spend time with my brother, Eric, and his family in Iowa City. Unfortunately, Nick had back problems early in the week and was unable to do the race. Not a problem, we would still go for a visit and I would get a little shopping done at the outlet mall.

Around 7:30AM Saturday I get a call and Eric asked if we wanted to meet at Adventureland instead, and invite any other family members that wanted to join us.

Adventureland... I was TOTALLY in! So the calls began, and by 11:15AM we had everyone headed into Adventureland (minus Mike who was in MN and my parents who were in WI). I can only speak for Nick, Ellie and myself, but we had a BLAST! I haven’t been to Adventureland in ages, it had definitely changed. I loved having fearless nieces that would ride the ‘scary’ rides with me (Tornado, Dragon, Sidewinder), and seeing the younger kids enjoy the kiddie rides. There was so much to do, and so little time to get it done. We could have easily spent another day there.

Ellie was an angel the entire day; she is such a great baby. From reaching for Ally to hold her… to sitting on Sammy’s lap… to playing grab the ‘paci’ with Ruby… Ellie had a great time with her cousins. Daddy even managed to win her a stuffed animal in Skee Ball. Aunt Jess won bigger stuffed animals for her girls. Yes, Jess is a Skee Ball champ.

Here are some pictures from the day:

All of us as we went into the park.

Ellie reaching for cousin Ally to hold her. Ally was hanging out by whoever had Ellie.

Super cute!

Ellie's first amusement park ride: the Giant Sky Wheel.
Eric, Sammy, Megan and Ally on Lady Luck.

A picnic lunch out by the car- beautiful weather.

The Iowa City Greving's on the Raging River!
The rest of the Raging River crew. Looks like Alex is having a blast.

The Sidewinder. Look in the very top right corner. Brian is in the red hat, Eric is the bald one and I am wearing 'blue'. Megan and Sammy are hidden.

Eric, Sammy, Megan and Nick on the way down from the Space Shot.

Ally really wanted to ride this ride, but wasn't tall enough. Next year, Ally.

Ruby and Izzy at the end of the day. They were troopers and lasted the entire time!

*We have to plan family pictures 5 months in advance, but we can get almost the entire crew together in less than 4 hours. Crazy!

Good thing for baby gates

Ellie just loves them! (she kind of looks like she is in jail, doesn't she?)

5 on Friday

1. Ellie has started teething again. The first time was pretty easy. This time is a little harder. But not as bad as it could be. We are greatful, and do notice how lucky we are!

2. I finally had (made) time to start digging for my new flower garden on the side of the house. I got half of the dirt dug up in 90 degree hot, humid, sunny weather. Then I called it a day. I finished the rest on one of the beautiful 70+ degree days and it was much nicer. Next up, laying the bricks (which Nick had said he would do if I dug the grass out) and planting the flowers.

3. We went on our first family bike ride with Ellie's new trailer. We went to get ice cream. Oddly enough, I said we didn't have to get ice cream, Nick wanted to. Mark this one down in the book.

4. I love, love, love having the windows open at night. It was wonderful to 'air' out the house for at least a few days. AND I haven't taken any allergy medicine since a few weeks after the animals left us. Even with the windows open, I haven't had to take any. I love it and it is such an improvement to my way of life.

5. Eleanor has a very bad cold. Any ideas on how to clean her nose in the morning after a night of sleeping? It is really gross/crusty and a not fun process. Right now we just use lots of warm wet wash clothes. She is not a fan. I am not a fan either, but we do get really excited after we are done.

What a project!

The picture isn't the greatest, but it tells the story: do not wait until 9 months after the baby is born to start the scrapbook. My goal is to get it up-to-date before her first birthday party. Wish me luck.

Bath time fun!

with a little spit-up to make it even more Ellie-like.

It is finally done.

Two months after we built it, the shed is finally painted and compete. It is a lot taller than our old one, which gives Nick more room for hanging things (and it has a loft area). Nick must like it, because after Eleanor goes to bed he likes to spend time working on his bikes in the shed. Good think it is getting used!

My New Ride

Just a day after Daddy got the Doctors approval for us to start riding together, he went out and got me my very own Chariot, complete with a cool purple bunny rabbit helmet.

And look at my pretty pink water bottle! Daddy said he picked it up for himself, but Mommy told me I could have it. Since it is pink, I am going with Mommy. Every baby needs to keep hydrated on a long ride! But wait, something is missing...

There, got my helmet on. Now I am ready to ride. Let's go Daddy!
(I sort of look like an advertisement for my Daddy's favorite bike shop, don't I?)