Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Lee got the day off today!!!

We took advantage of being in Kentucky and visited Mammoth Cave National Park.
We went on a short tour b/c of the kids (and Lee is claustrophobic), so we didn't see ALL the cool things, but it was a good introduction!

Obviously, Brynna wasn't impressed :)

We had to do a few other "touristy" things while we were there.

Mini golf...thinking Grant needs to work on his technique.

  You've gotta love this age, he didn't even know you were supposed to put money in it :)

Brynn taking a break in the truck...and YES her thumb is in her mouth, uh oh!

Brynna and Daddy playing.

And, OF COURSE, we had to find something with WHEELS :)

Fun times with an old friend

On Saturday, the kids and I drove over to Nicholasville, KY (suburb of Lexington) to visit an old friend of mine. Mary (Hampton) Rainwater and I went to school together up until 4th grade when her family moved to Story City. We have stayed friends through the years and now our kids are playing together...how fun!

It was a very pretty drive.


Grant was in heaven b/c she has two boys that also love tractors and wagons!!


Jess, Brynna, Grant, Caleb, Mary, and Samuel.

Life long friends are such a blessing!!!

The kids are DONE with pictures :)

Grant missed his nap and this is the result.

He and Brynn slept all the way back to Ft. Knox...a 2+ hour drive.

Keeping the kids busy

I am trying to spend as much time outside as possible, for the kids sanity as well as my own!!! We have discoverd three different playgrounds within walking distance of our lodging.

This is one of the on post neighborhoods we walk through...
doesn't it just look like Main Street, USA?

Sliding


Playing cars

Driving the bus

Climbing

Hello!!!

Night, night...in the Snugli :)

Home, Sweet, Home

These are pictures I took with my new Blackberry, so not great quality, but at least you can get an idea of where we are "living" these two weeks.

I thought our kitchen at home was small!!!


Our table

The kids seem to be okay with it.

All four of us are sleeping in one bedroom...good thing we love each other :)

Fort Knox, Kentucky

We made it after a TWELVE hour drive!!!

The kids did very well, Grant ate snacks, watched movies, napped a little (very little), and asked A LOT of questions :) Brynna slept a lot, talked a little, and fussed (a little), overall, I can't complain!

We are in a small family suite. Basically, one bedroom w/two full size beds, a living room w/a fold out loveseat (twin size bed), a SMALL kitchenette (microwave, mini fridge, two burners, and a tiny sink) and a bathroom.

The kids slept fine last night once we got them settled down. Brynna fell asleep easy (I was surprised since she slept a lot while driving) and Grant slept fine, but didn't want to fall asleep. I'm sure we'll adjust...just in time to come home :)

Lee's class started today at 7:00am. I took the kids outside this morning, Grant had some energy that needed to be expended :) We explored the indoor pool which is next door to our lodging, the playground right outside, and the gazebo/lawn area.

On the agenda this afternoon: finding the PX (Post Exchange) and the commissary...or the shopping area and the grocery store in civillian speak :)

I don't have any pictures to post b/c our camera is not working and Grandpa Brian needed their extra camera back, so we couldn't bring it with us. Debating whether or not to buy one while here...we'll see.

Iowa State Fair

We had a GREAT day! The weather was perfect (except for two rain showers), low 70s and breazy, the kids were wonderful, it wasn't crowded, and we ate lots of food!!!

The butter cow and a corn dog...it doesn't get any better than that!


The giant slide, Grant wanted to go again...we said maybe next year.

Let's hope Grant didn't like this TOO much :)

Daddy and kiddos.

In the horse barn.

Our Wednesday

Here are some pictures of our Wednesday!!!

This is how I found Brynna this morning when I went to check on her. She flipped over onto her tummy AND her head is where her feet usually are!?!?! Good thing she's in a crib or I probably wouldn't be able to find her in the mornings :) Grant did not move around this much this young...hmmm, hope that doesn't mean she's going to be even busier than Grant!!!


Grant eating blueberry waffles...and NOT wanting me to take his picture :)


Brynna after her bath...SO cute!!!

Grant and Brynna with a similar expression :)

I THOUGHT Grant was in bed for the night, but found him in our room. I always put a blanket and pillow on the floor for him so he doesn't have to crawl in bed with us in the middle of the night, well...he didn't wait until the middle of the night this time :) I started laughing when I saw him in there...he said, "I snuck in here"...well, obviously!!!

Sometimes it's too cute to get upset :)

Cooking tomoatoes...going to try freezing some this year.

Thanks, again, to Larry Joe and Jean for the tomatoes!!

So, Wednesday is almost over...tomorrow - a trip to the State Fair and then packing for two weeks at Ft. Knox, then Friday the NINE hour drive to Kentucky. We should have internet access and cell coverage while there, but then again, it IS Kentucky so who knows? :)

Sunday night pictures

We talked to Grandma Paula on the phone tonight...she is missing us and asked that I post more photos.

Nothing special, just hanging out after dinner!!!

Grant wanted me to get a picture of Froggy!


Another one with Froggy.

Daddy and Brynn

My babies!!!

Mom and babes

Iowa Firearms Safety Training Program

I have been busy this week and not just being Mom. I completed the Iowa Firearms Safety Training Program for Madison County. This course is required in order to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It consisted of 4 hours of classroom instruction and qualifying with a handgun. I've had people look at me like I'm a little crazy for wanting to carry a concealed weapon, but I want to be prepared for whatever situation may happen in this crazy world of ours...now I can protect my babies!!!

Notice the 100% score on both the written test AND the range qualification!!!!
There were two of us in the course that got 100% on both tests and we were the first two the county deputy had ever had do that.


Even the guys at the range were impressed by my shooting :)
I don't understand why men are surprised by a woman that can shoot??

Brynna rolled over...Back to Front!!!

Brynna has been rolling on to her side for a couple weeks now, sometimes she even sleeps on her side. The other day I said to Lee...she's going to go all the way over to her tummy soon...well, about 5 seconds after I said that...SHE DID!!! Then she rolled back over to her back.

Grant was around 7 months before he did back to front :) But, Grant does EVERYTHING in HIS own time :)

Trying...

And she's over...and pretty proud of herself :)

Grant holding Brynn :)

Brynna

Brynna is learing new things every day! She is laughing out loud (SO, cute...trying to get video but haven't been successful yet), squealing, rolling onto her side, AND sleeping through the night!!!! These new accomplishments are exciting and sad all at the same time!

She's growing up fast!!!

Rolling onto her side and reaching for toys!

The twins were over

We baby sat BOTH sets of Jon and Heather's twins Friday night. We had a great time and all the kids had LOTS of fun together. But, I must say, I am thankful that God blessed Jon and Heather with two sets of twins instead of us...I'm in awe of them and how well behaved all FOUR of their kids are :)

Edward, Brynna, and Kailee


Abigale, Grant, and Madison


Abby and Grant


Maddy and Brynna


Brushing teeth

Slumber party!!!