Iowa State Fair

We went to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday and showed Colton all of the animals. He loved it and it was entertaining to say the least. The yellow astronaut and cow were carved out of butter. It was SO hot that day and there were SO many people that by late that afternoon we were worn out.

Here, There and Everywhere

Sorry about the month long hiatus from blogging loyal readers--we've been a 'little' busy to say the least. Here's the scoop: we spent the month of July in Washington and Idaho enjoying our families and working before we headed back to Florida for Blaine's graduation from the University of Florida. In the midst of the commotion Blaine landed a great job with an Ag company called Syngenta who conveniently relocated us a mere 1300 miles away to West Des Moines Iowa where we hope to reside at least until the end of January. Wahoo-no more packing for a few months--the site of packing tape and cardboard finds me on edge right now.

Before you get to the good stuff (pictures), we wanted to say THANK YOU to our wonderful friends in Florida. You've made our experience there priceless and we will always look back on our time there as some of the best.

More thank anything else--thanks to our Moms and Dads. We couldn't have done it without you. Enough said. . .

Twacter

We got the chance to come visit Grandma and Grandpa Furness in Idaho which is especially great since Colton has become obsessed as of late with 'twacters' (tractors). Whether it is his mini tractors, his tractor pillow he has to sleep with every night and tractor book (THANK YOU Aunt Luanne--you could not have chosen a happier recipient--he is in heaven!), or his Grandpa's real tractors. Every day he puts his John Deere boots on (usually, the wrong feet but that's what Moms are for), and heads out to Grandpa's yard to visit the tractor line up, climb on each one, or point and say "WOW" or "OHHH". In fact, he is driving one of his Uncle Jordan's old mini tractors around the house as I type this--you get the picture.

Living Like a Rockstar

Colton is living it up here in Washington--(sidenote to any out-of-the-loopers: our family of three packed it up and flew out of town for the month of July to spend time with family and work--gotta pay those school loans back apparently, DARN!) So while Dad is toiling in the middle of hay season, Colton's got wide open spaces to roam and lots to do between a birthday, a parade on the Fourth and time at Grandma's house.

Grandpa Jeff, Colt and Grandma Valerie

Conner, Dallas and Bradley with Colton

Bradley the Mule Whisperer giving Colt a ride

This is Great Grandpa Kent's miniature mule Jackson--Colton LOVED going for a ride on him and Jackson is so good with little kids.

Janelle and Colt taking a ride after the parade

The Men in My Life

I am blessed to be surrounded by good men--I'm so thankful for each of them. Happy Father's Day to all of you Past, Present and Future.