ZOO time!

We tried to take every available opportunity to be outside in Iowa since the weather was about 20 degrees cooler there than in Tulsa!  We had a day where everyone was working, so we decided to go to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo.  I have to put in the Omaha part, becuase Brooklyn was constantly asking where we were--she was trying to undertand what state we were in Iowa vs. Nebraska, as well as what city--Treynor, Council Bluffs, or Omaha.  It is hard to explain that whole concept to her!

Anyway--off to the Zoo we went! Omaha has a GREAT zoo, with a lot of Animals!  They have 14 Gorillas alone, not to mention all the other types of monkeys, orangutans, etc.  So we had A LOT to see!   We started with the Giraffes, which they had quite a few of!  Raegan really liked those as we were able to get close and we could see them walking around!  Then we conquered the rest of the zoo, zebra, fish, monkeys, lemurs, rhinos, sea lions, tigers, gorillas, chimps, orangutans, and last but not least the aquarium.  Did I mention all the hills...  But all well worth it!  We were there for about 4 hours, and left exhausted and hot!  Another fun day!!

This is Raegan's pouty face--it is just too cute! 

Brooklyn showing us how big the Rhino's were in the background.

Checking out the gorillas

Up close with the penguins.

Jellyfish

FORE!!

Never a dull moment in Iowa!  Time for some GOLF!

Grandma took us out for a round of Golf.  The kids did Great!  They loved riding on the golf carts, the listened, and once we got Brooklyn to talk a little quieter, it was great!!

Brooklyn ready to tee-off!

 Brooklyn along for the ride, catching some sun! 

Jamison enjoying the day on the cart with Daddy

 Raegan and Mommy were along for the ride!

Future PGA champion!

WATCH OUT!!!!

We had a great time!! 

 Hopefully we can get some more golf in, as well as get the kids more and more involved!!

Staycation-Iowa Style

Aunt Julie treated us to a special outing while we were in Iowa... a night out to a hotel and a chance to show our swimming skills!

Brooklyn was very excited about!!

Uncle Jonny came and joined us as well!  It was a PARTY!!

Raegan was a little fishy!

Brooklyn gets better in the water every time we go!

The pool had a little splash pad to it too! FUN!

Brooklyn being silly and cuddling with Aunt Julie

Brooklyn enjoying the Omaha Skyline

Silly Brooklyn

Brooklyn loved the BIG BED!!

The next day we went and checked out Julie's new house, although she isn't able to live there currently due to all of the flooding in the area!  She has a great place!--Let's hope that levy holds up to keep it dry!  We did tour around a little bit to look at all the damage.

This is at the Lewis and Clark monument that looks over the Missouri River.

In the pic below you can see quite a bit of flooding--if you look at the road--it is the interstate, and then all the sudden it goes under water!  There is  A LOT of damage in the area--very sad!!

A quick family shoot!

Thanks Aunt Julie for the night out!  We had a lot of fun!!

A day at the Farm!

There was one VERY important thing we needed to do while we were in Iowa--Ride a tractor!

So Grandpa Iowa took us out to Great Grandma Bev's Farm so that we could ride one of Uncle Doug's BIG tractors.   At first we had a couple of hesitant little people, I think the tractor was bigger and louder than expected!  But once we got in, we were ready to drive!  We also got to see the cows!  Uncle Doug fed the cows while we were there so we got to see them up close!  Then we also got to go see some good ol' Iowa corn!  We had a great time at the farm!

I love this picture!! 

Room for lots!  Daddy got his first tractor ride also!

BIG tractor wheels!

Then we got to go see some of these things!  Jamison said they were Messy! 

Brooklyn looks so funny here!!  You can see the feed wagon in the distance.  Doug fed the cows while we were there!

Grandpa feeding the cows some "candy".

Seeing how tall the corn was!

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

Jamison is TWO--I can't believe it! 

When in Iowa--do as the Iowan's do!  We must have a Farm Party!

We had GREAT weather for a wiener roast outside!  We decided to celebrate Jamison's 2nd birthday, and Raegan's 1st Birthday also so that the Iowa clan could really spoil them both!  And that they did!

Brooklyn made a great banner with Aunt Julie!

Had to have Tractor's at our party!!

Grandma Iowa got some GREAT cakes for the kids!  They were adorable!!!

I think Jamison was excited about his cake!

I mean really excited!!
Also notice Daddy and Jamison's shirts--ADORABLE!!!

Raegan was pretty darn excited as well!

Wiener roast around the fire pit!

Every waking moment includes a request to ride this tractor!!

She ate this whole piece right up!  And didn't make much of a mess!

Cousin Megan and Raegan

Love this pic!!  Aunt Karen, Megna, Great Grandma Bev, and Raegan.

LOTS OF PRESENTS!!!

I MEAN LOTS!!!!!!!

Jamison got a BIG TRUCK from Grandma Iowa.

He was pretty excited about it!

Brooklyn like watching the excitment from her view from above!!

Pretty girl!

Red, white, and blue--this family is ready for the farm!

Raegan and Aunt Julie

Then it was time for some Baseball!  What a fun time!  Brooklyn hit the ball really well!  Jon--not so much (hee hee) :)    Thanks for the ball, bat, and bases- Roni and the Wallaces.  Great game to end the night on!

Aunt Peggy pitching the ball to Brooklyn

Brooklyn hit hte ball so well, she learned how to run the bases with Aunt Peggy!

Uncle Jeffy and Raegan

We also ended the night roasting some Smarshmallows and eating some Smores! Brooklyn was very excited about this!!

This little boy is SO HILARIOUS! I can't get enough of him!! He is sweet--wants hugs and kisses. Wants you to hold him, but will take off running from you in a heartbeat. His smile is adorable. He is honery! He turned two and grew up over night! He seriously has started saying SO many words--putting words together--and talking non-stop! He sings songs--Ashes-Ashes, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and ABC's are his favorite! 

Jamison is a two year old boy--and I mean a TWO YEAR OLD BOY!!  We have a very exciting year ahead of us with him!!

I just can't get enough of him!!! We Love you little buddy!  Happy Birthday!