RAGBRAI 2011

This week (July 24-30) Iowa is seeing close to 20,000 bikers riding from the Missouri River (West) to the Mississippi River (East) across the hills and plains of our state. Cousin George Luiken, his son Jacob and their three friends from San Diego are on this ride. We have had a great time with them staying in our home two evenings.

The 5 Californians on the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)



George and Jacob



Jacob



Jacob's friend Rob



Ready to ride to Altoona



Leaving Slater, IA

Lucas and Hephzibah Clemons

July 23, 2011 we were driven by bus to Faribault, MN for the wedding celebration of Huphizbah and Lucas. They married December 29, 2010 in India and had a Blessing Ceremony for friends and relatives in Minnesota. A beautiful wedding in a beautiful church.

The Episcopal Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior - Faribault, Minnesota



Beautiful bride Hephzibath Clemons



Lucas and Hephzibath cutting the wedding cake



Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Clemons



Wedding guests from Ames and ISU

Kyle and Lindsey Stephens Wedding In No. Georgia

On July 16, 2011 found us in Blue Ridge, Georgia for the wedding celebration of Kyle Stephens and Lindsey Luiken. A beautiful wedding in a beautiful setting.

Our cabin in the mountains of North George with the Boucks



The "ole" folks rocking away on the deck,enjoying a cup of tea. Don, Jan, Jeannie, and Norm Luiken



The Boucks with Dad and Mom Luiken



Kyle and Lindsey saying their vows



Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Stephens



Bride and Groom with Parents and Grandparents

Creative Play at Grandpa and Grandma's House

We don't have a swimming pool, a lake or a river but by missing all of these amenities the our grandchildren became creative. They rode bikes around our small community (so nice to not have to worry in a small town), ate breakfast on the deck, played in the treehouse, made their own water slide, helped Grandpa make a fire pit and watched a tree stump burn. It was so nice hearing grandchildren's voices and watch them play so nicely together. Thanks for spending a few days with Grandpa and Grandma!

Family after Saturday wedding


Breakfast on the deck


Treehouse Fun


Kids in the treehouse


We can made our own slippy slide



Slippy Slide


Boys helping dig fire pit


N & T working


Watching the tree stump burn


Family on the road again

Sites of Silver Dollar City

This week we have been enjoying a time away from home in SDC, Branson, MO with friends from Ames. Beautiful lights and great shows in the City this week.

Thanksgiving in Tennessee

Thanksgiving found us in Germantown, TN with family and friends. The boys were all home from college and we had wonderful weekend with loved ones. To complete the weekend we all walked the new Memphis Greenway trail and ended the day with a "special" kind of snow cone at Jerry's. The kids loved it!

Everyone at our Thanksgiving celebration







Walk on the new trail

Trick or Treat in Texas

The "Texas" grandkids are out Trick or Treating in the neighborhoods as we speak. They put together their costumes by themselves and all looked so cute! HAPPY HALLOWEEN