New School Year

And so it begins again...the new school year started today. The girls were super excited to get back to school & see their friends. I, however, was not quite ready for this year to start! My 6th grade teacher once said, 'the older you get, the faster time flies'. At the time I thought he was a crazy old man, now I realize he was a WISE, crazy old man! I can't believe Liv is a sophmore this year!! I remember my sophmore year in high school with (rose-colored) clarity. After a very nutritious breakfast of a chicken patty (for Zoe) and a hot dog (for Liv) - Hey, Betty Crocker, I ain't (HA!!)- they were off to school. We are all going to try to make the best of this year...but hang on cause its gonna be a bumpy ride!!

Liv wearing her "the office" t-shirt - her favorite show. She just bought season 3 & has pre-ordered season 4.

I wanted to get a good picture of these nice white tennis shoes, cause I probably won't ever see them again! They will be dirty & scuffed by the end of the day :( Zoe is very excited to start 1st grade!!

We had to talk Zoe into getting that book bag, but now she won't stop carrying it around!

Here's to another school year......

Update on Haunted House

The crew has been working so hard on the haunted house! The short squad was even recruited to help out! It's been 24/7, all haunted house, all the time!! Every day its a new idea or a new costume!

Our friend's son, Tristan, was helping build a wall. Bob Villa eat your heart out.

Shannon & Jason working hard???

Peek-a-boo

2008 Iowa State Fair

Liv, Shannon & Zoe at the capital bright & early Sunday morning.

Liv, Zoe & I on the capital steps, waiting for the bus to take us to the fair.

Zoe driving a humvee

Wacky, waivable, inflatable, arm-flailing tube man! Wacky, waivable, inflatable, arm-flailing tube man! Wacky, waivable, inflatable, arm-flailing tube man! (sorry, inside joke with Liv!)


Zoe was fascinated by the state's largest boar - Frieght Train - he weighs in at a mere 1,259 lbs!

This is a 3,000 lb bull! Amazing! Huge! Scary!


Local "it" girl, Shawn Johnson imortalized in butter!


Gotta love the butter cow! Open your eyes, Zoe! You have to see the butter cow to believe it!!


Ringing the bell , time for class in the old fashioned, one room school house.


I tried to explain to Zoe that years ago, all the students in school were in one classroom (K-12). She was pretty surprised. I think she is happy with her more modern school!

Zoe, playing in the bubbles

Due to the nice weather, the fair was extra crowded today. There had to be at LEAST 200,000 people there!

Shannon & Zoe trying out the "Old Mill"ride.


Liv spent some time helping a friend work at a shop in the cattle pavilion. Retail may be her new passion.

We decided to brave the crowds & go to this year's Iowa State Fair. We got to Des Moines at 8am ready to see all the sights. We saw amazing livestock (real & carved in dairy products), local talent on the Bill Reilly stage, rode the tram (where I almost had a panic attack, who knew I am now afraid of heights! when did that happen!), ate fatty cholesterol laden food and did my favorite thing...people watching!. All-in-all I think we had a pretty fun day.

Haunted House in the making

The crew has been working very hard to get everything ready for this season's haunted house. & this year promises to bring the scariest haunted house yet! More pictures will be posted of the progress.

midnight book release party

Liv and I went to the Borders in Ames on Friday, August 1st, to the release party for "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer. They had activities, games & prizes til midnight, then the book was released at 12:01 a.m. We were both very excited & we had a good time! Liv stayed up ALL night & finished the book! That's 700+ pages in only 5 hrs!

Shannon's Fishing Trip

Shannon and they guys on their annual fishing trip. This year the gang went to the boundry waters (Rainy Lake, Minnesota). Caught lots of fish and had a great time!

Buck (aka Bocephus)

The guys enjoying weiser & 7

Shannon, Kurt, Buck, Keith, Ryan & Mark at the Island View Lodge

Boys on the party barge

Shannon enjoying the sunset on Rainy Lake

Kurt pointing the way

View, from the boat, of the lodge

Ryan (aka the Pike Slayer)

Reardon catches a nice 3.5 lb. smallmouth

Shannon's first pike

Ungrund heading toward the boat after a great shore lunch.

Kurt & Shannon at their annual fishing trip

Kurt catches a nice pike

A view from the camp

Kurt & Shannon hangin out at camp

Shannon's first slot walleye (23")

Dino and Dennis - the guides - Love those bacon & onion sandwiches!

Guys at the shore lunch

Kurt with a 24" walleye

Kurt with a 29" northern pike

Guys playing bags