More catching up to do...

Well.. here is the video of Amy breaking the pinata... course, I didn't get the best part in the video, as my batteries died on me! But you get the idea.. we had a great time!!

Wed July 2nd

This day was spent just hanging out with family and then a picnic at Green Castle like old time sake.

Thrus July 3rd

A few of us headed to Iowa City to help clean out my aunt LeaAnn's basement that got water in it with those rounds of heavy rain. She doesn't live by the river, but it rained so hard it came in thru her basement windows and she also had a slab of cement out the back that we HOPE was the cause of most of it. So the boys broke that out and carried it off, while the others cut up the carpet and hauled it out. I was nursing a pinched nerve and wasn't to lift anything, so I didn't really help all that much, but went along for the ride and Mallory and I hung out upstairs. We got her basement cleared out and put the big things up on blocks so that she could disinfect the floors and baseboards, since there was mold growing behind some of the drywall they pulled out. Got your basement cleaned yet LA? Hope the mold stopped growing!!!

Friday July 4th

Party at the Pond.

Had the whole Randall family (minus Grandpa.. dancing was more important then seeing his extended family) and the Zewe family (minus the Aussie gang) and a few more Whites, all were at my parents pond for a potluck and some fishing and swimming. The weather turned out to be perfect, and down right cold by the time fireworks were being shot off. It was great to see everyone and to meet some extended family that we hadn't met yet. Always fun to get together with family, and of course eat all the good things everyone brings. Had a big firework show that night across the pond. I didn't figure out how to make my camera take fireworks shots, even though there is a setting ont here somewhere that I know I've seen, just can't find it when I want it. If every Fourth of July and holiday could be as much fun as July 4 2008, I'd love to have a holiday every weekend.

Amy and Kristin in the paddle boat

Amy and Kristin pulling Mason and Tony on the raft

Cousin Jennifer with Mallory

Group photo of the gang

Sat July 5th

This was the day we took Mary and Amy back to Des Moines to catch their flight back to North Carolina. They left later in the day, so we had most of the day to hang out with them. Their flights back were very eventful. Being delayed by storms again and arriving some 9 hours later (should have been more like 5 hrs) It was great seeing them and getting to spend so much time with them. Mason enjoyed having them and entertaining them. And was so good to have them finally meet Miss Mallory. Course had to have a photo sessiong before they left!! Love and miss you guys!!!!

Got to love ya Ames!!!

Aunt Kristin with Mallory

Aunt Mary with Mallory (Mallory is wearing the shirt that Aunt Mary gave my sister Darcy when she was a baby. I got one too, but mine is a size 3T, so Mallory will have another photo opportunity then) It says 'I'm a little stinker' on the back. The front says Aunt Mary's Girl Too, and the one I have says Aunt Mary's girl.

Sunday was spent being lazy. Monday Kristin drove back to Chicago for her three day work weeks that she works in the summer (Tues,Wed Thrus). Mason, Mallory, and I head back home for the rest of the week . Friday we had a playdate in Des Moines with 5 other moms and 10 other kids. We had a great time hanging out with friends. After that we headed back to the farm for Mason's 4th Birthday party on Saturday.