school house field trip

The school house is a staple of the Farm Museum.  Lucas' third grade class had a special opportunity to have a school day at the Farm Museum.  They spent time in the one room school house, exploring what farm kids would've been a part of and churned their own butter.  It was fun for me to be asked to join them and learn right along with the class. 

cruisin'

Memphis is spending Tuesday mornings with Ryan and I before they headed to preschool.  

It's so fun to watch their friendship develop.  They giggle a lot!  I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with them.  

~ dAnCe ~

We've entered into a new adventure!

Hannah is trying dance this year.  She love gymnastics but the drive and the hours of commitment were going to be hard for her since starting kindergarten. We hope she enjoys dance! 

new baby cousin!

It was so fun to celebrate Leslee and the new baby cousin arriving soon!

Hannah and Ryan are joined by Tamra's girls and Tami's girls.  

a CYCLONE state

Wearing our Cyclone pride to school before the big football game.  

Go State!

Even Hannah's baby doll has a cardinal and gold sweater. :-)

Gone fishin'

Brent and friends spent a week fishing in Canada.

Amy and Dave, Marc, Dave, Dan, Brent and Blaine.  

Feldpausch Cousins Vacation

We had a fun Cousins Vacation in Galena, IL.  

Caleb and Hannah 

We explored Chestnut Mountain and its cool sights high above the Mississippi River.  

Lucas and Will trying to figure out chess. 

Front yard volleyball. 

Abby and Hannah.  

Claire holding Ryan, Hannah, Lucas and Will.  

Abby, Nick, Caleb and Adele.

Moms and Dads, too!

Sending balloons to Aunt Ann in heaven! 

We love our time together! 

Vacation, part 4

Our next stop after Gatlinburg was Nashville, TN.  If you only have time for one stop in Nashville, it has to be to see the Grand Ole Opry.  I have always wanted to go there and it all worked out for our family to see a wonderful show, including Carrie Underwood!  

The huge, church-like wooden doors entering the Opry. 

The seats were church pews! 

Jeanine Seely

Daryle Singletary

Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press

Connie Smith

Casrson Peter and Iron Mountain

Lauren Alaina

Marty Stuart

Lee Greenwood

Charles Esten 

Carrie Underwood

We visited the famous Gaylord Opryland resort and convention center, too.  It's a beautiful hotel!

From here, we headed home to Iowa!  After ten days and 2,300 miles we called this vacation another success! 

Vacation - part 3

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and it is also the highest point in Tennessee.  We attempted (twice) to see Clingmans Dome with hopes it would be decent weather.  Unfortunately, the weather is pretty unpredictable.  At the turn to go up Clingmans Dome road it was sunny and warm. As we climbed the mountain (in the minivan) we were met with clouds, sprinkles and much cooler temps.  

First attempt up Clingmans Dome.

Second attempt up Clingmans Dome. 

The kids were pretty disappointed.  At one point, when the rain was rather heavy in the parking lot of the Clingmans Dome visitors center, Lucas declared, "You said vacation was suppose to be fun."  

You can see the cloudy, misty weather in the background of this photo.  

You can see Ryan's popular "smile" pose that he did a lot of this summer.  

The Appalachian Trail! 

Maine was a short 1,900 miles away.

We could see North Carolina AND Tennessee from Newfound Gap.  

Such beautiful scenery!

 There were so many neat creeks and waterfalls along all of the roads in the mountains.  We weren't prepared for the ease of exploring in the water.  Thankfully, Walmart was prepared!  We bought water shoes and towels for the whole family so we could explore the river along Elkmont.  

We saw all sorts of creatures in the water, skipped rocks, built in the sand.  It was gloriously quiet and peaceful and one of the most memorable parts of the trip.  

The spot we picked to explore was down this little trail and had neat scenery of an abandon bridge.  

Sunset from our hotel.

Our hotel.  

Our last morning in Gatlinburg we ate breakast at a diner that had a balloon artist.  What a smart way to keep children entertained while waiting for their food!  

A crown for Hannah.  

A penguin for Ryan.

A sword for Lucas.