September 2016

The boys have really gotten into riding their bikes--especially
Jack, after he got a bigger bike, which is a much better fit!

Cardinals game with the whole Helmkamp family...what a treat!

"Uncle Doe-Doe" and couple of his boys

Jack & Grammi :)

 Jack's first Dove Hunt

Lucky guy to get to go with Dad & Papa!

 Billy and I picked some apples on the farm when we were up for Grandpa Phil's 90th Birthday Party, so the boys and I made apple sauce.  Stuff always tastes better when you make it yourself!

Jesse's job...washing the apples

They played SO well for a LONG time with the kinetic sand.
Then the quiet turned to hooping and hollering as they started
throwing at the window.  These two are trouble/know how to have fun!

Lane completed his 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Way to go Buddy!

Digging a trench with Dad

Jana and I and all the kids met at the Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone to ride the trolley and see Thomas the Tank Engine.  Afterward we picked up pizza, and had a picnic and creek walk at Ledges.  It was beautiful and super fun day with cousins!

August 2016

Just another typical day!

Helpin' a brother out

Weekend Get-Away to Chatfield

Karen and Tom graciously hosted a couple friends and I for a short girls weekend.

The high light of my weekend was getting on a river again to paddle!

PAINTING!!!

The boys had a pizza party with some friends.

They played, did a pizza craft, made their own pizzas for lunch

...and had popsicles for dessert.

THRESHERMAN'S

with Grandpa Gus and Grandma Nan

Watching the tractor and covered wagon parade

Grandpa explaining that this way of shelling corn is not THAT old.

 The boys got to help make a wooden peg used for timber framing.

Next thing you know they'll be working for Uncle Billy!

Enjoying some homemade ice cream

 After watching some Olympics the boys got into running races.  I taught them how to start out of the blocks using the fireplace.  So the other day Ryan helped me whip up some starting blocks and we met Alisa at a track in Ankeny to do the "real" thing.  They LOVE it!

...get set...

Racing mom

Out of the blocks...not realizing they'e racing a state champ!

Jack's first day of Kindergarten