What are you going to do in Iowa for a WEEK??

When my brother in law Mike found out that Colby's parents were coming to visit us for a week he asked them, "What are you going to do in Iowa for a week?"   I guess Iowa isn't a huge vacation destination?  Despite less than perfect weather conditions, we had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Frost.  To answer Mike, this is what you do in Iowa for a week:

Visit the Science Center and build your own lego car.

Think about driving to St.Louis to see the arch, but decide to build your own instead.

Play with cheap hotwheels toys.

Drive up to the spillway at Saylorville Lake.

Eat deep fried mushrooms that are the size of your fist,

then finish off your meal with a five layer chocolate cake.

Eat at lots and lots of midwestern restaurants with amazing food.

Drive to Illinois to visit Hyrum and Joseph at Carthage jail,

and see them again by the Nauvoo temple.

Learn how much work it was to live in the 1840's.

Go swimming with these three handsome boys.

Visit an ancestor at the old Nauvoo cemetery.

Visit the Nauvoo temple.

Have two cute little buddies accompany you everywhere.

Drive to Winterset, Iowa to see the actual "bridges of Madison county,"

and the birthplace of John Wayne.

Get all tuckered out from a wonderful trip!

Thanks so much Ron and Susan for the visit, we had so much fun!  Hopefully next time you come it will be warm and nice and green.

Happy Birthday Carter Ben!

Our little Carter turned three yesterday.  I can hardly believe that it's been three years since he joined our family.  Carter is such a sweet little boy, we love his beautiful smile and funny little personality. Happy Birthday Carter!

Carter at one day old, look at all that dark hair!

Carter when we brought him home from the hospital.

Three years later.

Carter and Ammon in their birthday hats.  

This year we decided to have a combined birthday party for the boys. They had a great time

playing games, opening presents and having Transformer cake and icecream.

Carter got Leonardo dressups for his birthday, he thought they were great!

We hope you had a great birthday Carter!  We love you.

The Big Five

On Sunday,  Ammon turned five years old!  I can't believe how fast the past five years have gone.  Am I really old enough to have a five year old?  Ammon is such a sweet boy and we enjoy having him in our family.  We are so grateful for him and the joy that he brings into our home.  Happy Birthday Ammon!

Isn't this the cutest little face?  Ammon at one day old.

Our little buddy five years later.

Ammon with his birthday presents.

Ammon loves Transformers!

Ammon and Carter.

Ammon got to pick his birthday dinner.  We were surprised when he chose to have salmon, rice and rainbow jello. We also had a yummy funfetti birthday cake.

Winter bike ride and fun visitors

On Sunday, it warmed up a little for us and we were able to let the kids go outside and ride bikes.  There was TONS of water in the parking lot and Ammon had a blast riding his bike through the puddles.  I was hoping that it was finally the beginning of Spring, but unfortunately we woke up Monday morning to 3 more inches of snow.  It was nice while it lasted!

This picture of Colby and Carter makes me laugh.  All I can say is: like father, like son.

This weekend we also had some fun visitors.  Our friends, the Bomstas came to visit us from Ohio.  The kids were so excited to have a "sleepover" with Evelyn and Brielle. Unfortunately, I only took one picture all weekend, but we had a great time with Bomstas and were glad that they could come and visit.