Family Christmas Pool Party..In August!

For the past two years, my mom's side of the family has tried to get together around Christmas time, but with stupid Iowa winters, we haven't be able too. My aunt Kathy decided we should have our Christmas get together in August so we won't have to deal with the winter weather. We had planned this for a while and pretty much everyone could make it. My aunt Kathy has a pool in her backyard and she came up with the idea of having a Christmas Pool Party. Well, there was no swimming involved. What happened to the August weather??!! Seriously! It was kinda chilly that day, but atleast the sun was out! We still had a great time spending the day outside. There was even a surprise that came in the afternoon... A pony, who's name is Pony. :) (My aunt Sue and my mom went in together on the purchase of the pony for their grandkids- Avree, Logan and Jack... So far those are their grandkids.) Avree sure loved Pony! We couldn't get her away from him. When he was tied up to the trailer, Avree would grab someone's hand and drag them over to pet Pony again, and again and again! She liked riding him for a little bit but would rather lead him around. (I think she could do that for hours! My mom of course loved it that she kept wanting to go to the pony!)
I know Grandma Farley was looking down on us that day and so happy we all got together! I miss you and think of you everyday! Love you Grandma Farley!!

"Great Grandkids"

Family Picture




Pony came to visit the kids!!


Avree is all about holding baby Jack (for a couple seconds, anyway)



Avree loves the slide!


The grandparents with their grandkids

Riverfest and Camping Trip!

Last weekend we went with some friends to Parkville's 41st annual Riverfest. We had a great time walking around, trying different food vendors and listening to an outdoor concert.
Avree and her flower balloon



The next night we decided to take Avree camping for the first time. Matt and I like to camp but haven't camped for a long time. I actually think the last time we camped was when we lived in Ames.
The kids loved the fresh, open air and loved running around. Avree sure slept good that night and didn't get up till 9 the next morning!

The dads and kids


Lindsay and Wesley




Since Avree did so well with camping, we for sure will be going more this fall!



I just had to throw in a couple random pictures of Avree. I love these photos of her... This is her new favorite thing to climb on. (This was Matt's rocking horse that he rode when he was little. Made by Matt's papa)


Avree and I are headed back to Iowa tonight for a couple days. Can't wait to see family and friends.
Hope everyone is doing well!

Trip to Des Moines

A couple weeks ago Avree and I decided to spend some time in Iowa while daddy was gone on business. We stayed with baby Jack, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Jay for a couple nights. We got to see Grandma Hansch for a night and then one of the days we went to the Iowa State Fair with Grandma and Grandpa McCulla.

"Where's Jack's ear?"

Give Jack kisses



Iowa State Fair


Avree by her brick at the Iowa State Fair


Avree is all about holding baby Jack, but when she's sick of holding him (after 2 seconds) so just pushes him off of her. haha

Shelly and I decided to try out one of the rides at the fair....

It was scary than what you think.

While we were back, we also went to the Des Moines Zoo with one of my friends and her kids.

We had a great time back in Iowa, but it sure was nice to get home and see the boys.

60th Wedding Anniversary

Last weekend the whole McCulla clan all got together in Grinnell to help celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! We had a great time and couldn't be happier for them. They are such important people in our lives and how awesome to have been together for that long. So happy for you grandpa and grandma McCulla :-)

"How old are you?"

Grandma and Grandpa with the great grandkids (minus Jack)

Aunt Linda was also celebrating 60 last weekend.. her birthday!!

Matt and Jack

Look at that face..

Avree has a shoe fascination right now. She loves taking people's shoes off and putting them back on. She can do this for hours!


We asked our friend (who also took our wedding pictures) if he would come and take some professional pictures of all of us. So we actually got everyone there, (well accept Katie and Dustin. Who live in Chicago) sitting still and looking!! YAH! We haven't gotten any proofs back but when I do, I will post a few.
Matt, Avree and I also took some family photos after we were done with the big group ones. (I think the last time we got professional photos done was last summer when Avree was 3 months old!) I hope they turned out, cause Avree was sure ready for a nap by that time and didn't want to sit still and look at the camera.
All in all, we had a great weekend with family!




I also wanted to share with you some great photos from last week. One night we were hanging out on the deck and Avree wanted to get into her pool (we were just in it that afternoon) and I didn't feel like going upstairs to get her another swim diaper. So we just took off her regular diaper and put her swim suit bottoms on....




Ha-Ha. Most of the bottoms she has, whether it's her shorts, jeans or swim suits, are usually too big for her little body. We of course got a "crack" out of this and had to grab the camera. :)

Avree's new wall and riding her "horse"

We decided to make Avree her very own wall, to do whatever she wants on it. It is a magnetic, chalkboard. I just really hope she can distinguish the black chalkbaord wall with my painted tan walls!! Oh boy :-0


I decided to take a wet paper towel to wipe off the wall, so she could start from scratch... Well Avree thought that looked like more fun.. So she walked around the house with the paper towel, "cleaning". (That's my girl)

Grandma Hansch got Avree her very own horse to ride, whenever she wants. At first she didn't know what to think about it. She just liked pushing the ears to hear it make noise. Then one morning she grabbed it and "got on". It was so cute and funny cause she was 'galloping" around the living room.