Bulk Bins | the crane

It isn't everyday that a crane shows up at your Dad's office.

Lucas watched in awe and excitement as this huge piece of machinery maneuvered these large bins.

When they were all done, Mark invited Lucas to check out the crane up-close-and-personal. 

Mark and Papa Steve have been friends for a long time and are on the NP fire department together.  He is also the husband of Lucas' preschool teacher, Miss Deb.

This is actually a look of fear more than excitement. 

He liked it, but he was scared to be up so high and all by himself. 

Lucas was so excited to tell Miss Deb all about it when he arrived at preschool!

Bulk Bins | setting the bins

Back in December we started a new project for Perry Ag Services. Four very large deliveries arrived the week before we went to Las Vegas.  This was a big project and Brent was so excited to see it come to fruition.  Rightfully so, as he poured so much time into the research and planning for this project.  On this day in early December they were setting the bins - this was only halfway through the project. 

The crane lifted the bins and set them into place.   Each bin only took about a half hour to set. 

Hannah went to daycare and Lucas and I went to watch before taking him to preschool.

Lucas, Steve, and Brent watching the crane.

Even though it was a mild winter, there were still some very cold days early in the winter. 

Mark has an interesting job, climbing to the top of  all sorts of things that the crane lifts!

We mostly stayed inside the van and watched in the warmth.

Look at that grin and dimple!

Remember, this is small town Iowa and seeing a crane at work usually causes a few neighbors to wonder what is happening.  There were a handful of onlookers on this very quiet gravel road.

Checking it out.

Lucas wanted to see inside, too. 

I love the look on Brent's face because I see his smirk... he was excited for this part of the project to be completed. 

A lot more work to be done on this project. 

I played...

on hay bales when I was a kid.  Big round ones.  Jumping from bale to bale, climbing all over them and doing our best to race across them without falling off. 

When Brent was a kid he played in the timber.  Climbing trees building forts, he spent hours and hours playing Army, shooting things with his BB gun.   

Our kids play on pallets of seed. 

fun at the park

We love to play at the park.  We are fortunate to have a few park options, even in a small town.  Lucas was really excited when we said we would invite Jonah and Charlie to go with us.  Joy!

Peek-a-boo.  I see you!

Look at that fuzzy hair!

Snack time.

One of the boys referred to the tic-tac-toe board as the "x-box game." 

Watch out for alligators!

It started to sprinkle on us, so that ended our afternoon at the park.  But it was so fun to watch the boys play and interact.  It didn't hurt that they were burning off some energy, too.

who is that, mama?

Uncle Brian just returned from vacation, snowmobiling in Wyoming and Montana.  He grew a mustache and {funny looking} beard while he was gone.  He came to visit and the facial hair really threw Lucas for a loop.  I said, "Lucas, look who's here?"  He looked at him, looked back at me... confused.  He crawled onto my lap and said "who is that, mama?"  We told him Uncle Brian tricked him!  Hannah didn't even hesitate, she was reaching for Brian instantly, which is typical for her. 

It had been a while since we'd seen him, so we were happy for the visit.  The kids love playing with him, he even took Hannah on a walk in her stroller while Lucas rode his bike.

winter waterpark

It's sort of become an annual event to have a winter water park visit with local friends.  It has served as a good break from the cold, winter weather... which wasn't really too much of an issue this {mildly warm} winter.  We've been to King's Pointe in Storm Lake a couple of times, but this year we headed to Grand Harbor in Dubuque.  The location really doesn't matter to the kids, they have fun no matter what. 

Hannah doesn't look overly excited here... she was so content riding in her float and people watching. 

Ahh, the slides. 

At first, Lucas didn't want to go on the slides... then I talked him into going with me and he was in love... then Emma, Jenna and Ellie took him and his love multiplied.  They are always so good to Lucas. 

He was surrounded by girls; the only other little boy in our company was Garrett. 

I loved these shots coming down the slide. 

Pure fun.   

The water fountain thingys never cease to amaze.  Hannah couldn't get enough - let her touch one, she'd reach for another, then reach for another, or go back for the last one.  Then want to touch another.  Fun!

Love the splashes. 

Lucas and Garrett tossed the rings, played catch with the football and and trucks for a long time.  Good buddies.

 

Hannah enjoyed discovering the water all on her own, too.  She wibbled and wobbled all over the shallow end. 

We took a break from the water park and mom, Lucas, Sara, Ellie, Trista, Tara, Rylee, Loree, Emma, Ava, Caylie and Jenna went to the movie The Lorax.  

Hannah and dad hung out; she is not ready for a movie theatre!

A great movie! 

Lucas was intrigued the whole time and there is a great message.  Gotta love Dr. Seuss! 

pig tails

Another first - pig tails!

Oh my, she is growing up TOO FAST!

Bummer.

It is a beautiful Saturday... sunny and 65 degrees.
I've had the flu the last two days.
Lucas has it now.
Bummer.
We've confined ourselves with hopes of keeping Daddy and Hannah healthy.
Here's hoping!

Ashley's cake

Coach Ashley's birthday cake. 

My first cake for a non-family member.  I was so excited!

Always fun to try a new techinque - the 3D ball. 

Ava's birthday party

Ava S. turned 5 in February and Lucas was lucky enough to be invited to her birthday party.  I was lucky enough to be asked to make her cake.  A doubly fun event!  She had her birthday party at Phelps Youth Pavilion.  A great place for kids!

Birthday girl "working" at the grocery store.

Marc and Greg enjoyed the fun, too.  Greg has Sophie, five months old.

Mr. Climber.

Ava and Greg.

Craft time!

Lucas, Garrett, Ava, Jenna, Lucy

Ellie, Jaden, Emma, Rylee, Caylie, Addison

Ava requested a Hello Kitty cake with fresh strawberries on the sides. 

She was a happy customer!

The kids LOVED the pinata! 

Fun to celebrate and a great place for a birthday party.