First day of school, Okoboji and football

The kids stated school a couple weeks ago and I think we are settling into our new routine nicely. They both love their teachers and are happy with who is in their class this year, so here's to a wonderful school year!

Stella started 4th grade!

Porter started 2nd grade!! He has the same teacher that Stella had for 2nd grade, so it's been really nice since we already know her. 

A big turtle that was making his way through our backyard one day. 

Headed to Okoboji over Labor Day weekend. Only our 2nd trip this summer. 

Porter caught a huge fish, it even broke the fishing pole!

Stopped at Barefoot Bar one afternoon. 

Met up with the Potthofs one afternoon and the kids had a blast on their LilyPad!

EJ caught her very 1st fish on their last morning there. Then a bit later she caught another fish!

Yesterday some of my girlfriends from college and I all gathered together in Ames for a football game. Although we needed up losing it was at least a close game! The weather was beautiful and we had great fun catching up tailgating and then having everyone over here last night for dinner and drinks. 

Me, Elaine, Mindan, Anica and Jenna. 

All of our off springs except for little Chase, Elaine's little boy who is 18 months old. She decided he would be too much work to really enjoy the game. 

I look like a shaggy dog! Haha! Porter wouldn't wear an ISU shirt, but he did wear a shirt that was red and gold. I will take what I can get!

Winding down summer

School starts in 2 days, does not seem possible! I'm not ready to send my kids back to school yet. It's been such a fun summer! But, it will be good to get back into a routine. Here's what we've been up to the past couple of weeks. 

Porter lost a tooth....his 5th baby tooth!

We headed to the fair. The weather was very mild and the crowds not too bad! 

Butter Cow

Waiting for a show to start

The show we saw was a balloon show and this guy put 3 full size adults and 2 children inside this balloon! It was totally nuts!

Selfie on the Ole Mill Ride. 

Some produce from my little garden. Yum!

Spend our annual weekend at Fogel Lake!

Hanging with the archery props

Water balloon fight!

Great action shot of Stella getting soaked!

headed to Aunt Karleen and Uncle Johns to ride horses. So fun!

Roasting hot dogs

Celebrating Uncle Mark turning 60!

We left Fogel Lake and headed started to Lake Panorama to drop Stella off at CYC camp. She just stayed for 3 days/nights this year. She's already requesting staying the full 5 days next year. 

Went to the ICubs game with friends!

Porter won this bat at the ballpark, he was so excited and proud!

We brought our neighbor with us and had to get him a bat! :-)

Beautiful night for a ball game!

Stella at a birthday party sleepover. Just thought this was a good pic of her. :-) (yes, she's drawing boobs on her balloon guy.....)

Porter had Owen spend the night and they played lots of water gun wars!

Last night we went to the drive-in movie in Newton. I've been wanting to take the kids forever! We had a great time and will definitely be back!

August..... Already!!!??!?!!

We were only home from NC for a few days before the kids took off on another trip, back to Okoboji to hang with their cousins and aunt/uncles for a few days!

I was able to get a TON of yard work done and this kitty got lots of attention!

While the kids were gone we cohosted a Bags tournament as part of a fundraiser through the,school auction with 7 other couples. It was a lot of fun (more pics below), but I wanted to include a pic of the awesome boards that Wes designed for us! House Divided boards....thanks to Porter! The cyclone board was the only ISU one in our tournament!

Scott and Linda were great about texting a pic of what the kids were up to once or twice a day. 

One day Scott took them over to Sibley, their hometown and showed the kids his childhood home and took them into the grocery store that Steve and Linda owned and ran for years. From what I heard they got the grand tour! 

At a park in Sibley

One morning was spent fishing! Guess they hit the jackpot, caught 50-60 fish total! Enjoying Popsicles after fishing. 

Linda took the kids to Arnold's Park. 

And last night they went to a movie with Chris and Kim! 

The Bagstourney was last night and we lucked out with awesome weather. It was held mostly in our 2 neighbors backyards, they also go to SFA. 

The set up before all the food was brought out. 

16 teams competed in the tournament,ent. The peeps were red shirts are the hosts, we had shirts made up for the event...how official! Haha!

Some peeps did venture to our backyard as the night progressed to take a spin on the zip line. Here is our beloved Fr. Ray getting on the zip line with the assistance of a couple of friends. :-)

Sun and Surf!

We enjoyed 5 fabulous days/nights at Carolina Beach, NC last week. We drove instead of flying and none of us went crazy! Score! So many fun memories made at the beach and a few made in the Griswold family truckster! 

First night we enjoyed the worlds largest pizza!

Mom spent hours making NC memory boxes for each grand kid to keep shells, sand, whatever their hearts desire in. 

Lovin the beach!

At the NC Aquqrium. The kids got to touch sharks, sting rays, amenities, starfish, and more!

Out to eat one night. I'm shocked Mikes eyes are closed! Haha!!!

Hannah photo bombing!

Buried in the sand. Too cute. 

One day we went hiking to find Venus Fly Traps, didn't find any! But we did see a WWII bunker and fiddler and ghost crabs. Oh and it was REALLY HOT!

Hot and thirsty kids after the hike. 

The 6 cousins. 

Ms. Sassafras IJ. 

Boogie boarding!

Beach time!

 One afternoon the 4 of us went to tour the USS North Carolina battleship. It was amazing! We all really enjoyed it. Porter is getting interested in history so this was really fun for him. 

Sitting on the anchor. 

Last night!

Family pic! I feel so blessed to have such amazing parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, and nieces! Great group of peeps!

We can't be serious all of the time! Ha!!!!!