Friday, July 25, 2014

Lake Okoboji

A week ago today Mark and I went to Okoboji to visit Jim and Nancy at their beautiful home by the lake.  The weather was perfect and we had a really great time.  Nancy and I took a drive around the entire lake and made a pit stop to see Rog and Pam Ferris.  They have a beautiful home on the opposite side of Okoboji.  It was so good to see them.  We taught with Pam at Ogden High School so it was great catching up on their lives. 

Friday evening we had a delicious meal thanks to Jim and Nancy, with some Grettinger (sp?) sweet corn thrown into the mix!

Saturday we just goofed around the lake, park, etc.  My favorite things to do!  Jim and Nancy's son, Mike, came that afternoon along with his granddaughter, Summer.  Summer is about Ryan's age so she was fun to watch.  That evening we took Nancy and Mike to Maxwell's for dinner.  We sat out on the patio and had a first class view of the lake!

We had planned to head home on Sunday, but with RAGBRAI riding into town for an overnight stay, we felt compelled to stay and watch the festivities and the Houchins graciously hosted us one more night!  That evening we walked down to a concert (heavy metal!).  Hairball was the band and they were fantastic, even if we couldn't understand what they were saying.  :-)

Monday we forced ourselves into the car and headed home.  Such a fun, fun few days with some very good people.
The boats at the "compound"

With Nancy in front of the boat house

They are rebuilding the Legend coaster.  It was operational.

Night view at Arnolds Park

Nadine and Rick's granddaughter and Nancy's great granddaughter

There is always a lot of boat action on Okoboji

Cute little girls.  It made me wish mine were here!

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Dogs loving the water

Love this beautiful lake!

Mike took us all on a boat ride on Sunday

This bus full of riders was parked next door.

The park starting to fill up

Huge crowd...this pic doesn't do it justice!

Mark patiently waiting for the band

Back home.  It is still pretty green here!

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Our 4th of July

We drove to Peoria on July 3rd to babysit Drew, Kayley and Ryan while their folks went on vacation to Lake of the Ozarks.  We had a grand time celebrating the 4th with these three!  The weather was gorgeous and we did many outdoor activities.  Megan and Andy returned on Sunday so we drove back to the farm yesterday.  Why is it always so hard to leave them?

This sums up our 3 days together! 



Ryan loves getting rides from Kayley on the Gator.


All the rain popped up a lot of weeds and grass on the kids' "mountain" and Drew was determined to get rid of them!

We made a 4th of July cake and it was delicious!

Kayley was hesitant to do sparklers but Grandpa eased her into the process and then she loved it.

The age of technology.....

Ryan seems to have no fear.

Come on Kayley, give me a ride!

Evening of the 4th

Kayley lost her very first tooth while mom and dad were away but the tooth fairy came through for her!

Ryan likes Kayley's tooth fairy teddy bear.

The fashion queen

Looking for fish at the park

Still pulling weeds.....