What do the Daniels do in August?

Oh we've been busy...chop your head off, run around like a chicken, BUSY! So here's the round-up:

IOWA - We visited Eric's darling Iowa family who treated us like royalty and spoiled us rotten. We went to the Iowa State Fair, Eric came in 2nd place in the Adel Sweet Corn Festival Corn-Shucking Competition [he lost to his sis-in-law Brandy who shucked 18 ears of corn in 1 minute!!! Take that "America's Got Talent"] we went to the parade, rode 4-wheelers and golf carts, took our annual trip to the toy store, we bbq'd and swam and enjoyed great company. A terrific trip that we've been taking every year for the last five years or so. We look so forward to re-connecting with family and we sure appreciate all that they do to make us feel right at home.

This is the playhouse...that I want to move into.
Ethan got his golf cart driver's license - I'm still not sure about riding with him.

All-you-can-eat sweet corn - is anything better?

Grandma Mimi won 1st place at the Iowa State Fair for her Gypsy Wagon in miniature. Great surprise!!! We were so proud!

Learning the ropes at the Iowa State Fair - we call this "training" for their future summer jobs.

WE CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY

a little boy turned 5 ... and we celebrated like crazy. Ethan - we love you. We think you are so funny and sweet and you have such a sensitive heart that makes me want to squeeze you. You are a great brother and such a happy kid. You are smart and you figure things out so quickly. You have an amazing memory and you are the high-energy, spirited kid that I like to think your Dad was when he was your age. You'll do great things and I can't wait to be there to cheer you on! Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!

Ethan got a "big kid" bike.

The traditional breakfast in bed. Ethan ordered eggs, bacon, sausage and steak. (we skipped the steak)

We spent the morning at Bounce U for a little bouncy fun!

No one was really sure about the firecracker candle...especially when the smoke alarms started going off! Ethan and Uncle Scott have close birthdays so we celebrated together!

WE TOOK A TRIP TO CALI!

We took off for a weekend and went to California. We hung out with some of our favorite people...Tony and Michelle (+kids), John & Kelley (+kid and they even had another baby while we were there - welcome to the world little Georgia!!), the always amazing Kraus family and we even got to spend a few minutes with some of my family that were there for my cousin Chris' mission farewell (HE'S GOING TO ROME!!!) We spent a day at the beach and took a day to go to Legoland. Our trips to Cali always seem to be rushed and so fast but we sure pack the fun in!

Rock band is a fun, albeit slightly embarassing game.

Who doesn't want to be friends with this guy?

This is the one ride that Ty got to go on...the rest of the time he pretty much hung out in the stroller. But he was such a good sport about it!