Rose Festival 2012

This past weekend was the 54th (I think) annual Rose Festival in State Center, our 3rd since moving here, and Cailyn's first!  It was also the first time, and likely the only time for a long while, that we were able to enjoy some of the events that took place uptown because of the baseball tournament being cancelled.  So after running the 5K Fun Run with my mother-in-law, Deb, we showered up and watched our first Rose Festival Parade.  I had Jerod take some pictures of me and Deb after our run, but I thought I would save you all the horror of seeing me so disgusting and sweaty.  We were really proud of ourselves, we ran almost the entire thing, Deb was such a great motivator- I was happy to have run it with her!

 We have learned that in order to find a good place to watch the parade, you need to get there early.  Lucky for us some veteran parents and all-around-good-people, let us squeeze in next to them.

 This was a favorite spot, especially when the trains went by, she's like mommy in that she doesn't like loud noises.

While the other kids were running out to pick up candy, our baby was content playing with brochures from the local state representative candidates.  I hope this doesn't mean a career in politics.....

After the parade we went home to grill some pork burgers because we were starved!  We set out for Main Street again though, when we were done eating, and hit up the petting zoo.  It was a free thing, and I realized the reason they can afford to offer it for free is because they charge you an entire dollar for a Dixie cup of feed!  

They had several goats there, from kids to adults, and they sniffed out that feed in a snap.  One little guy even tried to shove his whole snout in the cup, greedy bugger!  Cailyn was not so fond of the goats because they kind of got right up in your face- no personal boundaries or respect for your bubble.

Moose vs. Chicken

The only animal she pet on her own was this huge rabbit.  She watched him for a long time until she realized he would not move at all, and then went ahead and pet him, so cute!

Of course, we couldn't leave without seeing the calf and getting a picture for Grandpa Bret, since he works with cattle.

 

We went for a walk down to the Midway, where they were having an auto show and there were rides, by the time we got home Cailyn was zonked out in the stroller.  The rest of the day was spent enjoying the company of friends we've known or made since moving here, grilling, fowling, talking, and watching fireworks to end our evening.  She watched in quiet wonder and clapped occasionally for the fireworks, a girl after my own heart....and she gets it every time.  Another Rose Festival in the books.

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Summer Break Week 1

 Summer vacation has officially begun (actually if we want to get technical the first day was last Saturday, although you could also make the argument that since we always have weekends off the first day was really Monday.....) but anyhow, I was hoping to have a little extra blogging time on my hands. 

Turns out I was wrong.  Between baseball, trips into Marshalltown or Ames for supplies, working on projects (and I use the term working loosely), and the computer not being able to charge from the AC adapter it just hasn't worked out like I planned.  But here's what we've got so far:

 

Chickie at the first home game of the season, which we didn't actually get to watch thanks to the much needed rain that teased a cancellation a couple of times and then finally threw in some lightning to make things official.  Grandma and Grandpa Brown came out for that game and brought her a little gift- the pink bat and ball.  I swear this kid's going to know how to swing by the time she's 2, she's already nudging the ball with the bat.

One of our summer projects is refinishing our kitchen cabinets. I. HATE. THEM.  They are old and dated, but sturdy, and we just don't have the money for a whole kitchen renovation, so new paint and new cupboard doors and drawer fronts are the best we can do.  The whole deal wouldn't be so bad except that when you have a big kitchen that also means you have lots of cupboards.  Lots of cupboards = lots of cha-ching needed to do anything with the cupboards. 

 We were removing the hinges and doors manually when Jerod realized, "We have at least 3 power drills in this house."  Smart boy.

Playing by herself while mom and dad work- such a good girl.....most of the time ;)

 Thank goodness I organized my kitchen cupboards when I nested during my pregnancy with Cailyn, otherwise the door-less frames would be even sorrier to look at.

 Somebody we know is SO MOBILE and learning to climb up onto the furniture.  The glider is the first thing she figured out and she is now able to climb up onto the upstairs sofa with some persistence.  Augh!

Cailyn loves to play in water, whether it be watering the garden, in the tub, or just holding the hose while it drips so we got her a sprinkler beach ball and though she doesn't fully know how to enjoy it yet, she liked being sprayed by the water.  I predict there will be many more good times had with the beach ball sprinkler!

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