Iowa: Zoos and Farms!

While we were in Iowa...we hit the Des Moines zoo while we were down in that direction with some family!  The boys LOVED all the animals, but were sad that there was no choo-choo train working;(

Uncle Nate giving Andrew a hoist to see some animals

Feeding the goats!

The closest we get to cows---and yes, it's fake!

Checking out the train (when it was working!) with adorable Caroline!

Looking at the BIG giraffes!

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa Lunn!

And we also spent the morning at Grandma Rogers' farm...let's just say I think my kids are a bunch of city slickers.  They weren't sure what to do with all the open space and farm animals!

So much space to run!

A real horse to look at, what?!?!

Giving some love to Grandma Rogers

Walking the open fields

And of course, we found a John Deere!

Loving the sweet barn cat!

IOWA

Recently, we just got back from a trip to Iowa to see all of Chris' family!!!  We had a great time, despite the fact that these children really don't like to sleep when we travel;)  Thanks to G and G Rogers for all the fun things that they had planned and some wonderful time around the house.  More pictures to come soon...

Bucketheads

A must watch video for all:)  We may have lost a few more IQ points on this day...

And today, we have an awesome guest blogger over at The Chirping Moms...Liz Pryor-the Good Morning America Advice Guru.  You must head over here to check it out-we are really excited that she decided to join us for the day!!!!

Fourth of July...VERY belated!

So we started out our Fourth of July with the town's Firecracker four miler run!  This was Chris' FIRST race and my FIRST race with the double stroller:)  We survived, ran the WHOLE thing, and had a great time.  And of course, my fellow Chirping Moms, Courtney and her husband ran too---so we had to get a big family picture!

We came home where I attempted to take a picture with me and my boys (I have so few of these:()...

 And we attempted to get a family picture!  Just ignore the fact that we are sweaty and disgusting...

 After naps, we headed over to the pool where we were pleased to see it was actually not crowded and we had the whole kiddie pool to ourselves...

 We did some swimming, grilling out, and then headed over to our friend's house to head out to fireworks at the local park!  The boys and Sasha all ready to head to see some fireworks...

 These two LOVED the sights...

 While Andrew was NOT impressed at all with fireworks (actually he was terrified), so I ended walking him around far away from the fireworks and meeting up with these two after the show;)  All in all, we had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday!!!

Lots to catch up on!

So I haven't had much time to post lately, and if you wonder why--just imagine two wild boys, lots of traveling, enjoying the summer time weather, blogging at The Chirping Moms, and just loving life.  

But I still have lots I want to share with you!  When we arrived back from vacation, we stayed BUSY with lots of awesome things before heading out on our next vacation to Iowa.  First, one of my awesome friends from Connecticut, Cassi, came for three days!!!  I just LOVE having her here---she is my puzzle master buddy, loves the boys, and someone who always makes the day a little brighter!  We also  headed down to Princeton to get together with another one of our Connecticut friends who happened to move to New Jersey too:)  They have three boys---so imagine the fun times with five boys, the town pool, and some amazing grilling out!  Then, the Fourth of July arrived (more to post later)!  And before you know it, we headed out on our way to Iowa.  Let's just say the summer has kept us busy and here are some picture to prove it...

 We love Cassi around here...and she braved a trip to the circus with us for her second year in the row:)

 Nothing like taking a little summertime nap in Mommy and Daddy's bed!

 Something about bomb pops---we love them around here!

Lazy summer mornings---playing some version of Super Why:) 

 This is what happens if we stay at home a little too long---it turns into a disaster quickly!

 Going for a scooter ride;)

It's impossible to get a picture of these two cuties!

Stay tuned as I'm working on more posts as I type:)

Finally Home!

We are in the post-vacation ritual of sitting in piles of laundry, working on getting the kids back into their normal routines, and catching on grocery shopping and other errands.  And Chris is back to working in the city, including an extra accounting meeting last night and the Yankees game today (rough day on the job, right?)!  

And you know that I am also blogging full-time this week over at The Chirping Moms while Courtney is on vacation so I haven't had much time to update over here.  But pictures are coming soon---so grandparents, be patient-I've got lots of pictures coming when I have a few moments to catch up:)  But I did write a quick feature for our Where to Wednesday about our wonderful trip to Iowa this week.  Go check it out:  http://www.thechirpingmoms.com/2012/07/is-it-heaven-no-itsiowa.html and be  watching for more to come.

LOVE my boys!

I can't take credit for any of these adorable shots---thanks to my dad for being an amazing photographer!!!!!!  I just LOVE my boys so much and their sweet smiles...

We are heading home from Iowa tomorrow---we have had a great time, but are quite exhausted:)  A week of traveling with a 3 year old and 18 month old is TIRING!!!!  Wish us luck on our cross-country plane rides home!

Aquarium Time!

While we were at the beach, we headed to the NC aquarium!  

The boys LOVED it and it was a nice break away from the ocean:)

We are back on another vacation to Iowa this week---and let's just say I'm exhausted from all the packing, traveling, and sight-seeing:)  So I'm off to get a quick rest before the boys wake up, but I wanted to tell you to head over to The Chirping Moms this week to check out our giveaway for some adorable earrings this week!