Kenny's 1st Day of 1st Grade:-)

This year is off to a great start!  Kenny's teacher is an all-star....sending a great letter introducing herself, sending home a bag of confetti with a sweet poem about putting the confetti under your pillow so you get a good nights' sleep before the first day of school, and sending a smore treat bag home with a little note, "I'd like s'more students like you".  Kenny LOVED his full day.  I was expecting him to be exhausted by the end of the day, but his brother's must have recharged him.  Their reunion was joyous to say the least:-)

 Kenny couldn't conform to wearing the navy blue school t-shirt.  So he chose this handsome one instead.

The school is starting a new Outward Bound-based program.  The them of the year is crew (as in rowing).  Kenny is lined up at the 1st day of school rally behind his teacher holding the Frank's 1st Grade sign.  They were all looking up at a drone that a 6th grader was flying to record the event.

July Hiking in Colorado: Herman's Gulch

We LOVED this trail!  We didn't reach the lake at the top, but enjoyed this rushing stream on the steep start of the hike.  Once the trail leveled off we were meandering through mountain meadows bursting with blooms and enjoying views of mountain peaks all around us!  We definitely will be more prepared to hike the entire trail next year:-)

Boone County Fair

 Kenny's school starts the beginning of August, which means we can't go to the Iowa State Fair:-(  Boo hoo....but it's been fun to reconnect with the Boone County Fair! 

Driving to Iowa

 We stopped in North Platte, Nebraska for gas and breakfast.  The Sinclair station had a dinosaur all saddled up for the boys.  They're great travelers....singing, watching movies, sleeping....and always one fight!?

Fun in Clear Lake

 We love the lake!  (It's the one thing Colorado lacks!).  Kenny tried tubing for the first time and fell in love.  He told Grandpa to "give me all you've got" for his second ride. 

 Jacob and John patiently waited for their turn to tube. 

 John loved it, but Jacob wasn't a fan....maybe next summer?

 Boating provided the perfect, relaxing atmosphere for Jacob's favorite past time.

 These two fish DON'T take after their mommy.  They were the first to jump in and swim to shore for a quick play on the beach.  (I'm the last one in, and do everything in my power not to touch the bottom!)

 We forgot the water skis, so Darin and I tried out tubing.  Darin was pretty adventurous....trying to do tricks and flipping over 3 times in the process.

My entire goal was to stay on the tube.  It was more fun than I was expecting!

Working in Iowa

 No trip to Iowa would be complete without some WORK!  The boys visited the Nite Owl (Grandma & Grandpa's business) and "helped" Grandpa on the printing press. 

 Sarah got put to work snapping greenbeans with Grandma Erb.

 The boys relaxing after feeding Great Grandpa Erb's donkey.

The grass is growing like crazy!  This yard is too big to bag, so the boys helped Grandpa rake the clippings, load in the wagon and dump on the garden.

Iowa Fun!

 Our trip to Iowa was filled with water fun!  (What else is there to do when it's 90 degrees with 90% humidity?:-)  The guys decided to have a boxing match before the pool (because what grandparents' wouldn't have boxing gloves for their grandsons??)

 The Ledges State Park is just 3 miles from my parent's house and such a fun place to relax and play.  The boys tried their hardest, but failed to catch any minnows.

 Great Grandma & Grandpa Whattoff and Aunt Kathie joined in the fun too.

 Kenny was mostly into the eating aspect of the outing.

Three generations of beauties with a silver streak in their hair!