"the Beach"

the other day we went to "the Beach" or the closest thing we have to a beach that is close. It is a park (Raccoon River Park) that has a small lake with a beach (or rocks that are partially ground up as you can see by the picture) and a roped off swimming area.

I didn't take their swimming suits because I thought they would cry but it was just the opposite...they loved it!

(the new pictures on the right were taken at "the Beach" too.)

potential

"Every child is born a potential genius." -Buckminster Fuller

Jason's Birthday...#33

Happy Birthday (a few days ago) Honey!

We Love You! and appreciate all that you do for us.

Love,

Alli, Savannah, Madilynn and Olivia

I had a really fun time with Jason's birthday. Savannah planned the whole thing. She knew what kind of balloons she wanted and what gifts she wanted to buy right down to the colors.

She picked out a Batman balloon with black and blue ballons to go with it and Madi picked out a dark purple one. Then we went a bought him a shirt, it wasn't the colors Savannah had wanted (red, and blue) but it was okay because it was the gift she wanted Madi to give him and Madi didn't want to give him a shirt she wanted to give him a ball.
Savannah wanted to give him a Spiderman movie but when we went to buy it she didn't like that it had a black spiderman on the front with the red spiderman so she changed her mind and found Batman Returns that she really liked.

Madi then found some balls that she picked out all by herself, and very proud of that, that he can play in the water with.

Savannah then had the idea to give him flowers, so I decided that each of us would pick out a flower for him.

We then made his favorite cake and Savannah made him a card.

I thought it was a GREAT party. I loved watching the girls get so excited to give him the gifts they had picked out and show him the balloons and flowers. They were so happy.

more visitors

We have been very lucky, within one month we had two sets of visitors. Jason's family came out this time (mom, grandma, sister, and niece (Jason and 8 women, how lucky!)).

We had a GREAT time, the girls were very excited to see everyone and Jason kept everyone busy... Farmers Market, tour of DMU, see the city, Tulip Time, swimming at the Hotel, walking Grays Lake, Bridges of Madison County, Shopping, Church and then Jason made dinner for everyone for Mother's Day.

Tulip Festival

Savannah, Kierstin, Mikaela, Alli, Madilynn, Jason, Olivia, Grandma Jensen, and Great Grandma Green

Savannah, Madilynn, Mikaela, and Olivia

(as you can tell they did not want their picture taken, this is the best I could find from all we took.)

Alli and Kierstin

(Kierstin, Mikaela, Savannah, Madi and I got caught in a down pour as we were leaving Pella. We were soaking wet and laughing so hard.)

swimming

Downtown Farmer Market...they always have a free craft for kids. This time it was planting Marigolds.

Bridges of Madison County. Jason took everyone there but Olivia and I because he has never been and I have been twice and Olivia needed a nap.

Gray's Lake.

Jason and I love this place, it is so fun to go to at night.

Mother's Day

(Jason and his mom)

Colleen, Kathy, Jason and Kierstin

It was fun to see everyone again. Thanks for taking time out to come and see us.

Mother's Day!

A week ago was Mother's Day and I never posted anything but I did want to thank both my mom and Jason's mom for being such wonderful ladies that I can look up to. They are such great examples to me.

I also wanted to say how grateful I am for my sweet little girls and for the opportunity that I have to be their mother. It is the greatest gift I could ever have and I thank my Heavenly Father daily for them.

Time

I have a few minutes (my kids are playing really well right now) and so I decided to post a few things...okay maybe not, we bought a new camera and now I can't get my pictures off my card... I don't know if it is my card or camera but now I will have to wait until Jason can come to the rescue.

May Day

I am a loser. I don't even know what you are supposed to do on May Day but within 10 minutes of each other two different neighbors brought treats for my kids. I have heard of May Day but never celebrated it. Do you celebrate it? What is it? (I looked it up on the internet but still don't really get it, help me, Please.)