A visit from our Danish cousins

A few days before we went to Iowa, some of our cousins from Denmark stopped by for a visit. They were traveling from Seattle to Los Angeles in a motorhome.

Although the kids couldn't speak the same language (yet!), they had a good time playing in the yard before dinner and making some art projects after dinner.








































Except Waterboy, of course. He was only interested in a nice cup of coffee.

A visit to Sioux City

On the first half of our visit to Iowa, we visited Mama Waveboy's family in Sioux City. Granny Waveboy helped Waterboy enjoy his milk.















As his name suggests, Waveboy enjoyed swimming in the pool.




















The annual Rivercade celebration coincided with our visit, so we went to the parade.

Waterboy waited anxiously for the parade to start.




















We even got to see the Shriners driving little cars.















Miss Toon and Waveboy went on an exciting ride at the fair.















A large group of antique car enthusiasts stopped at our hotel during their annual roadtrip. Even old cars need gas.















And we saw a beautiful sunset over the parking lot.

Down on the farm

For the second half of our trip to Iowa, we attended the Manatt family reunion on one of the Manatt farms near Brooklyn, Iowa.

The new barn was finished just days before the reunion.















Waveboy and Waterboy enjoyed a hayride on Friday night. As the sun went down, the weather was almost pleasant.
















































Waterboy enjoyed climbing on the wagon.















Everyone relaxed at the hotel.

We saw great-great grandpa and great-great grandma Waveboy's farm,














and one of great-grandpa and great-grandma Waveboy's houses in Grinnell (the one mama Waveboy remembers from when she was a Wavegirl.)















We had to stop at Maid-Rites















and we saw Manatt equipment everywhere . . .

Waveboy's first day of kindergarten

It's hard for us to believe, but Waveboy started kindergarten.

He and Waterboy posed for a picture before leaving for school.




















Waveboy posed alone at school.




















He waited outside the door for the teacher to welcome them into the class.















He sat patiently through the introductions and instructions.















And when the teacher gave the OK, all the students tossed their confetti and shouted "Happy New Year!" (for the new school year.)

A trip to Yosemite

We made a short trip to Yosemite just before school started.

Waveboy enjoyed climbing on the rocks at Olmstead Point.

Waterboy wanted to investigate the rock more closely--with Half Dome in the background.

He also enjoyed playing in the water at Lake Tenaya.

Waveboy tried to figure out the secret of the bubbling water at Soda Springs.

And a picture of the beautiful alpine meadow near Elizabeth Lake.

My first post

We thought this might be an easier way to share photos.

These are some pictures from Waveboy's birthday party at the Tech Museum. We made party hats and t-shirts . . .















We had a Hot Wheels birthday cake (all vanilla, at the request of Waveboy) . . .















We made them stand for a lineup . . .















And they had some fun at the museum . . .















Even Waterbaby had a good time . . .