All in a Week...

ISU FANFEST!

Our week started off with a trip up to ISU to see Cy and all of the athletes.  We went with our neighbors and the kids had a great time.  They got to hit tennis balls, throw softballs, long jump, throw footballs, jump in the bounce houses, tumble, and of course, do football drills.  

Logan, Landon, Jonah, Gracie, and Owen with Cy

The day wouldn't be complete without getting faces painted

Owen with the football players

Next on the List:  Celebrate Owen's birthday!

Owen with his Ninja Turtle Cake

Owen and Jonah on Bullseye
Again this year, Owen wanted to have friends out to ride horses for his birthday, so Nick entertained about 12 boys for an hour before eating pizza and cake.  Gracie was a great helper, leading kids around on Dancer.  It was a perfect day for it, not too hot!

Gracie finally gets her turn.  Landon is on Dancer.

Back to School!

We spent an evening finding Gracie and Owen's classrooms, meeting their teachers, and taking all of their supplies to their school.  They got to see the school bus and see lots of friends.

Owen's Ninja Turtle Costume he got for his birthday.

1st Day of School

Owen and Gracie on the first day of school

Gracie with Mom

Owen with Mom

Getting on the bus...Both of them ran to the bus and didn't even look back.  It was very strange the first day of school, not taking any kids to Lilypad.  I think picking them up for the last time from Lilypad the night before was even more difficult.  They have both been going there since they were 10 weeks old.  My babies have grown up!

Next...Prairie Fest!
Our activities:  10k Race, 1/2 mile kids run, parade, tractor pull, frog jumping, dunk tank, sleep

Gracie won her age division for the kids tractor pedal pull again this year.  She was in the 6 year old division, and we tried to get them to move her up, but they wouldn't.  If only her birthday was a day earlier, she would've been a little more challenged.

Since Owen's birthday came before Prairie Fest this year, he was the youngest in his age group.  He asked why he didn't get a trophy this year.  He said "Mom, I'm going to win next year."

Frog Jumping!
This year, Ballard Wrestling did two fundraisers.  They brought back the Frog Jumping contest and also did a dunk tank.  Nick and some of his friends went out a couple nights this week to collect frogs from local ponds.  Then they auction them off to bidders who will race the frogs.  This event is so fun to do and watch!  The frog handlers (all adults) start in the center of a circle and try to get their frog to the outer circle without touching it or throwing water on it.  The high school wrestlers help wrangle the frogs.


Gracie holding one of the giant bullfrogs

Our neighbor, Stacey, and Jamie Nobiling ready to race their frogs

Dunk Tank!

Gracie gets a shot at her dad in the dunk tank.  She didn't get him, but Owen made up for it by hitting him twice!  Rachel Watters (high school wrestler and Prairie Fest Grand Parade Marshal) and Nick each spent time getting dunked for their fundraiser.  

RACING
This is actually how we started our morning.  I raced the 10k and Gracie did her first race, doing the kids 1/2 mile fun run.  She did great and more importantly, had FUN!  I think it helped that a couple of her friends were also running.

Gracie turning the corner for the home stretch.

Gracie after the race...red face and all

Gracie and her friend Jenna

And now for today's event!  Gracie's birthday!!!

Gracie's cake (finished that at 6am this morning)...more to come!

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