IOWA!

Wow!

Our trip to Iowa can only be described as similar to childbirth.

The outcome was wonderful.

The drive to Iowa (labor), bedtime (labor), and well, anytime Meredith and or Maxwell were unhappy (LABOR). But, coming home and spending time with the Damons, seeing my best friend Stephanie, hanging out with the Cheevers (no pictures UGH!) and visiting with the Lockards and Magees that... was wonderful.

My feeling overall is that in time, I will forget the "labor" and just remember the wonderful!

Diane and Garry are brave enough to take the Buhler bunch to Pikes Peak. The beauty of Iowa NEVER ceases to amaze us! After a whole week with us, I feel confident that Diane and Garry both, are well prepared for future grandchildren!

We were lucky enough to be in Iowa to celebrate Kevin's little boy Malaki's 1st birthday. Here, I assembled the kids for a quick picture. Walker, on the drums, Cori with Malaki, Maddie with Meredith, Maxwell, Timmy, and Weston. If you don't recognize them as mine, they are Leta and Kevins'.

Malaki, in the middle of his birthday cake, to quote Max, (not necessarily proudly) "holy crap" he is cute!Malaki, gets a quick bath from mom after his cake!

My littlest brother somehow became my big brother. I am SO proud of him!

My family, the Lockards. Here they are. Beautiful still at 90! The biggest surprise? My cousin Scott from Florida. What luck!

The Magee cousins hang out at the Denver park. Weston shows us how far his ears will stretch. I am having Darren flashbacks!

The trip to Iowa ends here with the Magee reunion gathered lovingly by Aunt Jeanette. It proves to be too short that's for sure! I leave Iowa feeling like I've seen everyone but not for as long as I had hoped. Even so, my kids get a glimpse of where I come from and who their grandparents were. What a wonderful trip!

"There are no 4 year olds in this house!"

The smoking hot lava volcano cake inspired by a lesson on volcanoes in preschool. Fortunately for Weston's mother/cake decorator, a blob of cake with frosting and a hole in the middle resembles a volcano!
The birthday boy slides down the middle of the castle amidst all of his friends!

Swan Lake

Best cousins and buddies, Noah and Weston create delicious potions from beach debri!
Now we know where Maddie gets her good looks, Auntie Michelle! Hey, who's the cute guy in the back?
Meredith and Weston, too young to be on the boat attempting to water ski, but not too young to float out to sea! Maxwell gets his goggle on!

rainy

In spite of the rain, Uncle Keith takes Walker and Weston down to check out the ocean. Upon returning, the boys have stayed completely dry in their borrowed rain gear. Keith however, looks as though he took a swim.

At the Seattle Zoo we see.......

monkeys in trees.......
(some of them seem angry)


birds on their nests....

some freshly hatched...

and gorillas!

Slug Slaying

Aunt Joan shows Walker and Max the finer points of slug slaying.


Weston gives us a glimpse of one of the intruders.








Maxwell does his best banana slug impersonation.

Meredith and Maddison avoiding the slug hunt.

Anacortes

In July, we traveled west to Anacortes Washington to visit my Uncle Keith and Aunt Joan. We left the 100 degree weather in Montana and traded it in for some coastal coolness. It was raining off and on and the highs were in the upper 50's. Joan and Keith took us on a two mile hike. The views and the weather were absolutely amazing. We would never have imagined that hiking in the rain could be so refreshing and beautiful! While there we took in the Seattle Zoo, learned all about hunting slugs and celebrated Tanin's 32nd birthday!

Dad and Meredith take in the ocean view.
Uncle Keith and Meredith collect some rocks.

Weston discovers a crabby patty.

Buhler Beach

Wow, Check out the babes at Buhler Beach! Meredith, while nursing an old camping injury, hangs out on shore while Maddison, relaxes on the water.


Meredith gleefully tosses some sand into her siblings eyeballs.

Idaho Camping and Silverwood

Maddison and Weston @ the wave pool.
Meredith slips on some shades at Lake Couer d'Alene.

The Gums and the Buhlers, still standing after a long day at Silverwood!
Woa Dude! Surfing in Lake Couer d'Alene.
5 little monkeys at Pend Oreille Lake in Northern Idaho

Peanut Butter Painting

In an attempt to add excitement to his day, Max opens a jar of Jif for Meredith.

Painted Rocks Lake part 1

Tanin and the kids pose after tubing. Hey, is Max trying to escape?


Meredith gives us some smore smiles!

Painted Rocks Lake Camping

More camping fun at Painted Rocks Lake.