Nothing Else to Post

It is a dry spell here - literally and photographically (is that a word?!?!). So - I'll post another 2 yr. picture. It's either that or I have nothing and it's very hard for me to sit and be quiet - ask anyone that knows me!!!!!

Hard At Work

Who said coloring didn't take talent?!?!?!

Yet Another 2 Yr. Picture

Favorite Photo Friday

Favorite Photo Friday

It's here - Favorite Photo Friday (Just another reason to look forward to Fridays!!!)

The "Blues Brother and Sister" Caleb and Chloe on a long trip - love Chloe's hair - who needs hairspray?!?!?

Joe's Handiwork

Well - while most people (like me!!!) are trying to keep cool - Joe is digging up the backyard (where grass wasn't growing anyway) and making another Hosta Garden. My Aunt Connie will be pleased with him as I believe his love of Hosta came from her!! But - thought I'd share pictures - it is very pretty under there and we plan to add stepping stones all the way around the tree as well. I think he missed his calling and he should have been in landscaping!! By the way - I DID help - I carried those boulders you see - I wasn't happy about sweating but I did feel badly that he was doing that all by himself so like a good wife, I pitched in and gave it my all - well ok, I hauled a boulder, sat on the swing and wiped the sweat off, got back up and carried another boulder....... you get the picture!!! :)


I say this is enough landscaping though - we keep the mulch companies in business!!


I took this picture of the flower and then noticed I captured the bee in it - hmmm, maybe I should let National Geographic know I am available for hire!!!!

Another 2 Year Picture

Another of our favorites - So hard to choose!!!

2 Year Pictures

Well - because it's a dry spell for pictures around here - thought I'd post a few of Chloe's 2 year pics - we had fun with pictures this time - she was even smiling!!! We are just glad there was no camera on Joe and I in the background getting her to smile!! What were we paying the photographer for anyway?!?!?!?!

This Weekend

This Weekend.....
The boys went to an air show in Sioux Falls to see the Blue Angels.......
(with some friends)

And the girls went shopping - this is the result of our shopping - a new dress.
(Not that we needed one - just thought it was too cute!!!)

So Sad

The Hunan Province is where Chloe is from - we spent much of our time in China in this province. With the health care being so poor there and the sewage, etc. also so awful - I can only imagine what this could mean to these towns and cities and villages.

I copied this from the MSN Site today:

Storm, flooding kill nearly 500 in China China's death toll from Tropical Storm Bilis earlier this week has reached nearly 500, with most of the fatalities in the inland province of Hunan, state media said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13967769/from/ET/

Another Family Shot

Bethany (our adoption agency) sent this to us after we did some video/pictures for them. Kind of fun!

What's Worse than 100+ Degree Temps for Weeks??

Ok - Had to do it - my "What's Worse than 100+ Degree Temps for Weeks?" Post

Squatty Potties in China!!!!!
(I am still in awe of those Chinese women!!)

Enjoying the Heat

Chloe seems to like this crazy heat - 109 in the shade today - something is NOT right with this picture!! She begs to be outside and enjoyed a water balloon fight today - her first - she couldn't figure out how that water was getting her when she caught those balloons! It was funny.

We went to the pool yesterday and our fearless Hunan spicy girl was jumping off of the side and having Joe catch her - her brothers were impressed!!

Not for the FAINT of Heart!!

We had the Zooman today at our library - Chloe LOVED it - she wanted to touch every animal!! Not sure if I could have coaxed the boys up there when the big snake came out, but Chloe was ready to go right up - she takes after her mother!!!

WAY TOO HOT!!

Ok - it is hot and it is humid and I LOVE WINTER!!! What am I doing out here anyway - I'd rather be in Alaska or SIBERIA!!! So - I had to post some winter photos - maybe I'll feel better!!

Funny Face

Our Queen of the Hosta Garden!!!

Iowa, Iowa ..That's where the tall corn grows!!!

Ok, now really, it wouldn't be an Iowa blog without a picture of corn - and we just had to prove that our corn isn't just "knee high by the 4th of July" either. That Joe is a master corn-grower and his corn is as tall as he is. But then I'm not surprised - I think he uses miracle grow, waters it daily, and even sings to it at night (just kidding on that last one - - - but then I wouldn't be surprised!!). That is some pampered corn!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

The boys groaned as I said, "Let's all go outside for our 4th of July picture!" We only started this when we got Chloe last year - seems to add new meaning to being an American to us. SO - we all headed outside and I told them that if they cooperated then we could be done quickly - it wasn't them we had to worry about!!! Chloe had her own ideas - don't give a two year old a flag and expect her to hold it nicely, not to poke her brother's eyes out, or to keep the end out of her nose!! I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed our photo shoot - we all were laughing when it was over though!!

Peekin' at Ya!!!

We were honored today to get to be in our local Bethany office's new promotional video - they did some video of Joe and I sharing our "Chloe" story and then some video of the boys with Chloe - that was way too funny - don't ask three boys ages 8, 9, and 11 how they feel about their sister!!!! :) They were at a loss for words - Chloe just sat on their laps and smiled!! Then they took us to a park and took some shots of us all playing - too fun. Our prayer is that it just sways other families to take the leap and pursue adoption - it has added so much to our family - (and Bethany didn't even ask us to say that!!) :)

Happy 4th One Year Ago!!

This is from one year ago on the 4th -
Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!