Cedar Valley Airshow in Waterloo, IA

After the wedding in Wheaton, IL we drove to our niece's farm in Dysart, Iowa. We all stayed there Saturday evening and were up early Sunday morning to get ready to attend the Cedar Valley Airshow in Waterloo, IA where the Air Force Thunderbirds were scheduled to perform. What a wonderful day for an airshow. Temps. were perfect with a perfect sky background of clouds. We definitely were NOT disappointed with the great show that all the planes and performers gave us. Enjoy a couple of the pictures.

Waddilove wedding in Wheaton, IL

This past weekend we drove with Lou and Pat to Wheaton, IL to attend a cousin's wedding - Alan and Catherine Waddilove. It was nice to be able to spend time with cousins that we seldom get to see. So thankful for these times together!

Iowa State Fair

I am way behind on blogging so bear with me as I try to update with a couple of recent events. The first is the Iowa State Fair that we attended two days this year. Always fun to see what has been happening on the fair grounds each year.


The beautiful Pella sponsored park on the fair grounds






The large pumpkin weighing in at 1245 lbs.!






As you can see - the fair tends to wear one out!

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