The Brittons

We've had beautiful weather for the past several days and have been able to enjoy much of it outside!  The past week has involved a lot of activities.  Gracie and I did some back to school shopping, which she got bored with very quickly.  However, she did enjoy having all the attention on her.  Saturday was unseasonably cool and we went to the Christiansen Forest Reserve just outside of Huxley to do some hiking.  The kids found acorns, walnuts, berries, and lots of other neat things in nature.  They did really well and didn't even notice that we were out there hiking for over an hour and a half!   On Friday night, we went to get some used mats from ISU and Nick gave us a tour of the new football facility.  It's pretty awesome, but I think the kids just liked getting to run around a little bit.  We saw Coach Rhoads, the locker rooms, training rooms, weight room, and practice field.  Thanks Nick!     Gracie, Owen, a...

  It's amazing the improvement the little girls have had over the past couple of months.  She is throwing much better, even though during a game it takes so much concentration to put it all together.  She is also able to hit the ball when we pitch to her now.  Gracie had her last game on July 29 in Maxwell.  She was nice enough to play for the other team because they didn't have enough players.  She had a great time.     Gracie's last game of t-ball   Right after Gracie's last game, we headed south to Missouri for four nights.  That car ride down was the best we've had since having kids with us.  We fed them lunch at 11am, got in the car by 11:30, they were both asleep by noon, and we didn't stop again except once for Nick to eat, until we got to Macon, MO around 3:30.  I think we made it to the Ozarks in less than six hours, which we haven't done in years.  The ride back home wasn't quite as efficient. ...

  The past month has been filled with activities.  Gracie completed swim lessons and has learned so much!  We spent a couple days during June at Saylorville, camping at Cherry Glen.  That was successful for the most part.  Deb and Norm stayed for the weekend in their camper and we set up our tent next to them.  We also got to use the boat and took a pretty long ride up river, almost to Hwy 210/High Trestle Bridge.  The kids loved being on the water and even got to go tubing.       Tony and Owen being pulled on the tube     This is what Gracie looks like eating smores.     Taking a nap on the water.     Gracie on the back of the boat     Norm showing his skills...I could have put the other picture up which was a few seconds later.