Amelia's Birthday

Amelia turned three last weekend. On Saturday we had a Curious George themed party complete with yellow hat and banana cookies, monkey and cupcake cake pops (thanks Grandma Becky for the book), and a #3 cake. We had a scavenger hunt in the yard for the kids to wear their George masks and fill their goody bags. On Sunday (her actual birthday) we opened gifts with Mummy, Daddy & Grandma then went on a bike ride in Jester Park.

Tom & Abby Visit

Suzie, Tom, and Abby came to visit the week of Amelia's party. The kids had fun playing in the back yard and we went to Union Park to play in the wading pool and go on the carousel. We had a good time in spite of the sprinkles. This was our best attempt at a picture of the three cousins.

Indianola Balloon Festival

After getting a bit of a balloon bug in Ohio, we decided to head to the Indianola Balloon Festival for their first night glow. About 40 balloons flew in, trying to knock over a portapotty or land a beanbag on a big X then landed on the field in front of us. They then opened up the field so we could wander around the balloons during the night glow. It was a cool experience. The picture of Kate & Amelia is from the Des Moines Register. Amelia's first published picture :D.

More Summer Fun

It was a bit hot for our neighborhood block party so Amelia decided to cool of in the water table.

Kate got a bike for her birthday (along with a trailer for Amelia and a rack for the car) so we had our first family bike ride last weekend.

Grandma Marilyn's Birthday

On the way home from Ohio, we stopped over in Muscatine to celebrate Grandma Marilyn's birthday. No pictures of the birthday girl (sorry Mum) but a few of the kids. We gave Mum some crocheted dish cloths for her birthday, which Amelia and Tom decided to use to clean the games at Happy Joes.

Ohio Part III: Scarff Family Reunion

We had a great time catching up with various members of the Scarff family. Amelia only took a couple of hours to get used to all the doggies and by the end of the day was getting mad at them for not staying still enough for her to pet them.

Ohio Part II: Balloon Festival

The weather may have stopped the balloons at the festival from flying very far but Amelia still had a great time on the carnival rides and games and in the museum.