Family Fun Weekend

We spent this past weekend in Marshall Town, Iowa for the Agan Family Reunion. (my dad's side of the family) My parents and my sister and her family were there as well. Jim had to work on Saturday so he missed out on all the fun! The picture from above was taken at Hickory Park in Ames, Iowa where we enjoyed some memories of past meals. Go ISU!
Grant, Grayson and Helaina at Hickory Park!
The rest of us at Hickory Park.... leave it to Breleigh to keep eating even while getting her picture taken. Sweet potato fries trump photos I guess!

The kids got into dancing at the dinner for the reunion! I guess Breleigh can really get down with her bad self! We will have to watch out for this one!
This is Helaina cutting a rug with her cousin Zephie!
Just another "move" that Breleigh discovered on the dance floor.
Reagan loved to dance as much as the rest! She recently danced so hard at a wedding that she got sores on her feet!
I think I forgot to rotate this picture but doesn't it look awesome! I think Grayson is going to really be able to cut a rug!
Reagan and her cousin Catie! Catie treated all these kids like they were the most special people in the world! They loved her!
Nana bought all the girls coordinating outfits for this event! I think they all look so DARLING!!!


Grayson and Helaina (one year apart in age)
Breleigh and Reagan! A lot of people think they look alike. Heather and I don't really see it... what do you think?
Two silly girls!
The cousins! Grayson is very outnumbered but he seems to handle it with style!
We like to start them out young! hehehehehehe- don't worry it was empty! Later in the evening she was helping an American Girl Doll drink from it! hehehehehehe
Dinner was a the Legion.... my dad rarely drinks but it must have sounded good that night because he enjoyed one! (only one.... wouldn't want to go over the top!)
Auntie Heather bought some finger puppets for entertainment. They were pretty fun to play with!

This was a momentous occasion for Grant. He had never enjoyed a "beverage" in an American Legion before. Cheers!

Proud to be an American

Seaman Edwards! (A.K.A. My adorable, can't possibly be old enough, remember him when he was just a tiny baby- Nick)
This Seaman gets All the cute girls!
We just can't resist a man in uniform! (seems weird to refer to my "little" nephew as a man but he is what he is!)
Siblings! Stacy and Nick Edwards (My niece and nephew)
A very proud Grandma and Papa with their grandson.
Three generations of Edwards'
The grown up generations!
(Top) Mike- Father Nick Carrie- Step Mom
(Bottom) Stacy- sister Logan- brother Lexi- sister
Nick with his parental units!
Father and Son enjoying a good laugh! (never mind that I was trying to take pictures) ;)
A REAL Navy man never forgets how important it is to show some love for his cousin!
Yup -that's me! I am one proud Auntie and I think he looked so adorable in his dress whites!
Oh gee... is anyone really surprised that I had my girls wear their sailor dresses for this big event? They were the talk of Chili's while we were eating lunch. The restaurant was crawling with men in uniform and their families!

We had a great time enjoying some quality time with family and especially with Nick. It was fun to get to hear about boot camp and see how much he has changed. We all sent him as many letters as we could and he was so gracious about receiving them! We were unable to go to the actual graduation (only a very limited number of tickets ) but I am so grateful that I was able to go and give my nephew a hug! These men and women in uniform are pretty important people! I feel so blessed to live in this country and have these awesome people keeping me safe. So, even though I have never felt the need to discriminate between any branches of the armed forces I do feel the need to end this post with.... GO NAVY!!!! (hehehehehehehehehehehehehe)

(and yes.... I was dorky enough to buy myself a sweatshirt that said..... "Navy Aunt"!

Happy Fourth of July

Breleigh is waiting for parade to start! She seemed to like every bit of it. That is, until Monkey Joe from Monkey Joe's showed up. He wasn't even on our side of the street and Breleigh desperately needed to be picked up! hehehehehehehehe
Next year Helaina will know that when the parade starts it also means the candy starts! She didn't really know that this year!
Arriving early leaves plenty of time for pictures!

We stopped at Casey's before the parade so the girls could enjoy their breakfast while we waited for the parade to start. Fun stuff!

All in all we had a great time at our FIRST parade. We made our way to Bettendorf early this morning and scored a primo spot, right in front of Mc Donalds. This worked out perfect for us since Jim is FOREVER needing to use the restroom and Breleigh is in the very beginning stages of potty training. We speculated on who would have to go first.... Jim or Breleigh? It was Breleigh! hehehehehehehe
Since this was our first parade we were pretty naive as to what would take place. (and when I say "we" I mean the girls.... of course Jim and I have attended many parades!) Helaina didn't know about all the goodies they would be passing out. I did have the foresight to bring a couple of grocery bags for the girls goodies though. Helaina lacks the aggressive gene she needs to fully reap the benefits from parades. I don't think I am actually complaining though. We were seated by a group of older children. Two boys, atleast 8-10 years old kept literally taking candy right from below her fingers and then proceeded to stand in front of the girls during the parade. I REALLY wanted to say something to them but.... I didn't! Jim probably thought I was overreacting but COME ON! (oh.... and no adult figure ever discussed with these boys that maybe they should not stand in front of other kids!) Ok... my rant is over! We had a great time at the parade and Helaina was thrilled with the candy and goodies.

Vintage Love

So, it is still a touch too big but Helaina can finally wear my old house coat. Amazing what a simple piece of clothing can do for your memory. My Grandfather (mom's dad) passed away when I was five. He was proceeded in death by my Grandmother (mom's mom) and other Grandmother (dad's mom) and then not too many years later my dad's dad also passed. I grew up without grandparents but I am blessed with a few memories and this housecoat is one of them. I am pretty sure I remember opening this bright red housecoat on Christmas morning and I know I remember wearing it to our kindergarten Halloween party- Heather and I went as what else? Yup- Little Red Riding Hood! My mom has saved it all this time and I am so glad that she did. I look forward to the day that Breleigh can wear it too but I am not rushing it! When Breleigh can wear it than that means it got too small for Helaina and I don't think I want time to go that fast. They are growing up so quickly as it is!
Tonight Helaina dug out all the washcloths from my laundry basket of towels and folded every single one of them. Were they exactly the way I would do it? No..... Did I re fold them after she went to bed? Actually, no I did not! I am grateful for the help so why ruin a good thing. So, if you are ever at my house and need a wash cloth and they happen to look a little bit disheveled it's because my Helaina helped me! One day when they look perfect in the drawer again all I will have is the memory of my sweet 4.5 year old PROUDLY folding washcloths! (and trying to keep her sister out of them) ;)

God Sightings

At VBS through the First United Methodist Church in Port Byron we have been talking about "God Sightings" for the past couple of days. The kids have had to pay attention to their own God sightings and report them in their groups. One of my pleasures has been watching my girls enjoy praise through music time- especially Breleigh! The music today was so moving and my little Breleigh was so into the actions. I actually got teary eyed! My friend, and head honcho for the VBS told me today that one of her God Sightings has been watching Breleigh too. She posted this photo of my little one, taken today during the very moment I described earlier! Thank you Becky for capturing that moment so well and for putting into words what was in my heart! (Her caption for the picture- "I see God"

Close Encounter with Nature

We had the coolest experience today while coming home from running some errands. The video above is one Jim shot with his phone. Keep in mind that there is no zoom on that device. :)
To read the full story behind the video please keep watching. Helaina helped me write this narrative of our adventure.

Close Encounter with Nature
(real title yet to be determined.... the author had to go to bed)

While we were driving in the van Daddy suddenly spyed three baby racoons in the grass by the woods.
Daddy pulled over on the side of the road to see the baby racoons. My sister and I were in the back of the van. I unbuckled my seatbelt and looked through the windows with my sister.

The baby racoons were kind of hard for us to see at first so mommy took us out of the van and brought us a little bit closer. We thought they were very cute. We wanted to name them Cute, Flip and Closer-Up.
One racoon got really close to daddy and climbed on his shoe. You know which one crawled on Daddy's foot? It was Closer-Up!

Then, Mommy talked too loudly to a man and woman in the their car and scared the racoons abck into the woods.

The man and the woman said they were going back to their house to get a boz to put the racoons in. The babies didn't have a mommy so the man and woman were going to take them to a vet so they could be taken care of.

Daddy and the man and woman couldn't find the racoons in the woods so Daddy got back in our van and we went up the road.

Suddenly , we saw the baby racoons on the black cement!
Daddy stopped the car and got back out of the van and helped the man and woman try to catch the babies.

Before the man with the gloves caught the baby racoons Daddy got to pet the middle sized one named Closer-Up. Daddy said it was kind of fun and thought it felt like a dirty dog.

Daddy didn't try to catch the racoons because he wasn't wearing gloves. The man finally caught all three and took them safetly to the vet.

We were so happy because they saved the day!

We have been spotting this sweet little baby robin around our house lately! Today when we were going to pull the van into the garage this little guy was sitting on the wheel of our trash can. He stayed there the whole time we walked inside so we got a good look at him. I couldn't resist bringing the camera with the zoom lens out for a quick shot. A grown up robin was flying around while I was taking pictures. I can assume it was the mama and I am not sure she was happy with the photos. Do you think I should have gotten her permission first? Loving the nicer weather!