Science Center

Last weekend we went to the Des Moines Science Center. The kids had a great time (as did Mark and I) playing and learning. The kids got to go on a "safari", travel to outer space, build rockets, and even play with wildlife.

Spring is on it's way

I thought I would share these photos about the changing of the seasons here at out new home in Iowa. Since I'm just starting the blog, I have to share some of the pictures from the past winter so you can get the whole effect. Now you know why we talked about wanting spring to come. Though the snow was fun, by the end of March we thought it would literally never get out of our yard.

OK, so Dallin has his eyes closed, but you have to see the tunnels and "rabbit holes" the kids built with Grandpa Hamilton in March. It was pretty cool!

Here's Mason kicking out snow to make this tunnel run into the one right next to it.

This was a cold, dark day when the snow drift first started really appearing. As Mark said, "I thought we bought a house, not a ski resort." It was actually in our yard for four months.

This is another attempt at snow tunneling - they were using sand shovels from when we went to the beach to try to dig this out.

That's our neighbors 6 foot fence - the snow drift at this point was equal in height. But at it's peak the drift was about 7 feet and butt up right next to the neighbor's fence. The kids could literally step down over the fence into the neighbor's yard. And it was about 10-15 feet wide depending on the week. Tunneling, sledding, and just plain fun was had when the temperture was about 20 degrees or more.

And now it's spring. Almost exactly one month from when the snow drift finally all melted, we mowed the grass for the first time. Notice that our neighbor is out planting his field the same day. And of course we have awesome neighbors because they use green machines. Go John Deere!

I just loved this picture! I know it's of our backs, but I think it says a lot. We really enjoy living in our suburban home, but with a definite country feel! The sunsets are unbelievable!

Here goes...

So I'm finally going to try the whole blog thing. Hopefully I can keep up with it. I've been saying I'm going to blog for ages, but this time I'm really doing it. And thanks to Mark for helping me figure this thing all out.