Hello everyone and welcome to our blog! This is our new online journal to keep everyone informed about family happenings, new photos and just fun stuff!

Our summer was full of all kinds of fun and wonderful adventures. Kennedy went to an equestrian camp this year and fell in love with her horse Loretta. She also attended Living History Farm camp which continues to be her number 1 choice of camps to attend every year. Holden also went to Living History Farm camp which he loves as well. He also attended the Drake University Basketball camp for the first time. It was a week long camp put on by the coaches and players. They did drills, split up into teams and even had a play off on the last day. He was awarded Free Throw champ for his division and was very proud of the trophy he earned. They also both attended Scout camp with Alan and I along for each one. It was quite an experience.

As a family we took a trip to my aunt and uncle's cabin on Lake Michigan, in the Indian Dunes. It was a fantastic week and the kids really enjoyed seeing and playing with their cousins. We all took turns venturing out in my uncles kayak, and Kennedy even tried it alone. My uncle Steve also took her out on his little sunfish sailboat and she loved it. My aunt fixed fabio meals for us eveynight and it was wonderful to just relax and hang out with family. The kids love the water and the sand and it was sad to come home. Thanks Sherry and Steve!

We made our annual summer trip to Adventurland one Saturday in late July. We all had tons of fun and I even rode a roller coaster this year with Kennedy. She is quite the little dare devil and is up for just about any ride you can think of. Unlike Holden who gets motion sick when it comes to rides. But still manages to love every minute of it.

We also enjoyed a visit from Brian, Kari and Kelsey in August. They arrived around fair time so we had lots of fun showing Kari what Iowa was all about..deep fried anything! We ate tons of corn on the cob and loved having them around.

As some of you may or may not know I am now a Board Member at Iowa Christian Academy where our children attend. These past few weeks have been a little crazy as we complete our State of Iowa Board of Education Site visit to insure we keep our State accreditation.

In addition to the Board, I volunteer in the lunch room at school 2-3 times a month, am homeroom mom to Holden's class, treasurer for Holden's Scout Pack, have a booth at the Brass Armadillo antique mall, and am taking a Metals class (which I love!) at the Art Center once a week. Other than that I don't have much going on. :)

Alan continues to work hard at his ever growing business and is doing lots of traveling from the eastern portion of Iowa, Davenport and surrounding, to eastern Nebraska, Omaha area. We are so very proud of him for taking that leap of faith and relying on God and not ourselves. He sings at church once or twice a month and really enjoys serving on the praise team.

Kennedy is in 5th grade (augh!) and taking beginner band this year playing alto sax and loving it! She is doing quite well and we have enjoyed hearing an instrument in the house. We just had conferences on Friday and still don't know why we bother to show up. She continues to get straight A's, is very complacent and gets along with everyone. She starts basketball in 2 weeks with Alan and another father as her coaches. This should be a good year as they have five 5th and five 6th graders on the team. All girls who have played for the past 2-3 years. It is always lots of fun.

Holden is in 2nd grade this year and is a wonderful student like his sister. He got all E's, and is in the top reading group in his class. Overall is a hard worker and loves school. He lost is first 2 teeth this summer and is anxious to lose some more. He is friends with everyone, boys and girls, and has quite a social calendar. He continues to be involved in Cub Scouts and will start basketball in January.

Well for the second year we were unable to take our trip to Florida because of hurricanes. It is a much anticipated trip that we have taken for the past nine years and were very bummed it didn't happen. Kennedy was especially disappointed. She loves the water and loves to spend time with her daddy. We hope next year is better.

We hope you will add our little blog to your favorites and we will try and keep everyone up to date on events or just fun stuff! The kids are excited to sit down and blog to their little hearts content! (As long as homework is done.)

Tata for now - Shelby