Iowa State Fair 2008, Part 2

We held the first annual Iowa State Fair Scavenger Hunt on Saturday. Here's who made it this year, some old friends and some new ones : Roni, Scott, Heather, Guthrey, Dave, Stephanie, Darcy, Brent and of course, Terry and I. It started off with a little drinking and a fantastic list (thanks to all who contributed). More to come.....

Next year will be even bigger and better, more pre-scavenger hunt festivities and more friends! Seriously, everyone should do this!

Iowa State Fair 2008

Some of our favorites at the Iowa State Fair....the things we must eat or see :

1. Milk and Cookies

2. Cheese Curds

3. Gyro

4. Sky Ride

5. Silly Pictures

6. People watching

7. The hot new products building....What will Trish come home with this year?!?

8. Strawberry Banana Smoothie

9. Big Boar's & Bull's balls (updated per Holly's comment 8/11)

10. Cold Beer (not one of Damon's of course)

We also saw the baby animals building and saw a chick hatch; Terry drooled over a scooter...yes, a scooter...he's amazed it can go 75 miles before needing charged again; we saw a Clydesdale fall and have trouble getting up - the whole crowd gasp, but eventually he stood and was fine; Damon got a Kirkwood tattoo and water bottle, the guy working said Uncle Dale was his boss; Terry and I got a few more ideas for our scavenger hunt next weekend before the Def Leppard concert!

happy birthday to me

Well, my husband did buy me a birthday present...How do I know you ask? He hid it in a closet I use everyday, good thing he's cute. Anyway, it's what I asked for, not romantic, but I would never buy it for myself, so it's perfect. It's a tripod. Hopefully he picked up another UV lens too (my other request), but if not we'll be getting that tonight as well. Hope everyone has a great weekend, it's suppose to be nice!

Terry and I ate at Dos Rios, downtown Des Moines. It's expensive Mexican food, but the atmosphere was neat and eating on their patio was nice (well, until the homeless guy asked us for money and then I just felt bad). Anyway, they have a great guacamole dip! I ordered the quesadillas and veggies and Terry had 1 steak and 1 shrimp taco. We'd go again for drinks, guac and a taco, so call us if you ever want to go.

My First Wedding Shoot

On Saturday I assisted MandyMiller Photography on my first ever official wedding shoot. I was excited, nervous, anxious, worried and amazed all at the same time. Mandy is a great photographer, check out her photos here or here. She tried to calm my nerves by telling me any photographs I took would just be a bonus....nope, didn't help still nervous. Kid pictures you can retake, who cares if you don't get a scenic shot, but a wedding...you pretty much have one chance to nail it! Needless to say, I'll leave wedding photography up to the experts, but I had a GREAT time and would LOVE to assist Mandy anytime (Mandy, if you're reading this : hint hint). The bride, groom and entire wedding party was great, I couldn't have asked for a better first experience....well, I should have worn different shoes, but other than that it was AMAZING!

During the ceremony I was in the balcony.

I loved that he was holding up her dress.

In front of the Capitol...we didn't climb the stairs too high....TOO HOT!

Wish she was a little more to the left and that the Capitol was more blurred, but still love how the blue pops. 

The bride and groom did a shot before the reception. He did Jager and she a lemon drop. 

On Sunday, I was hoping to get up for the 9:00 a.m. service, but I was drained...so Damon, Terry and I went to the 11:00 a.m. service here. WOW, it's a lot less crowded! It was a wonderful service on prayer and we sang some of my favorites and Damon kept whispering that "this one and that one" were songs from VBS. He doesn't seem to mind volunteering for VBS at all, partly because he gets to be with Ethan and in Monica's class and partly because he does really enjoy the little kids. Oh, and I'm sure my funding of Decaf Carmel Machiatos from Cafe Hope doesn't hurt any. He and Terry both got one on Sunday, Terry is still amazed you can 1. get that stuff at church and 2. drink it during the service and no one thinks twice. It's a little different than his Catholic roots and his hometown church is still very traditional (or at least it is when we attend weddings and funerals). It's nice to visit the traditional services, but..... I like everything about Hope, I always get something out of each service and I feel welcome. Surprisingly enough, if you get involved enough it doesn't seem as HUGE and overwhelming as it did at first. It also has a great youth program, although I think sometimes it can get a little out of control due to the shear volume of kids...it reminds me a lot of my church growing up.

Aunt Dorothy, Alex and Amber come to viit

Friday we went to the big MC because my Aunt Dorothy drove down from ND and brought her grandkids, Alex (14) and Amber (11). Damon and Alex have a great time together! Friday the girls got a pedicure, did a little shopping and the boys did a little fishing. On Saturday we went shopping, mini-golfing, shopping. Then we decided to go to a movie....the girls (except me) went to Mama Mia and the boys and I went to Step Brothers. For the record, we asked about 5 people that had seen the movie if it was appropriate for a 14 year old boy and they said "yeah, maybe a couple parts, but it's not too bad"....during the movie it became crystal CLEAR that this movie is NOT 14 year old boy appropriate. I suppose that's why they have a rating system, but when you ask around you would think some one would have said NO. Oh well, too late. They boys thought it was hilarious and Terry and I swore them to secrecy. I'm just glad we didn't take the 11 year old girl, we would have had to walk out most definitely! Sunday my dad had to work and Amber went with family friends to Wall-E. The rest of us went golfing...girls vs. boys. We had a great time until it started pouring, we got 11 holes in! I'm in the "needs improvement" category for golf....I only lost one ball OB, but found two, so I wasn't the only one to shank it to the right on that hole. :)  I wasn't too embarrassing (I don't think), so maybe Terry will take me golfing a few times before it gets too cold. 

Alex, Damon and Terry

Alex 
Damon
Aunt Dorothy (she looks a lot like my mom)

My mom

Wisconsin Wedding

We went to Terry's cousin's wedding in Wisconsin...it was beautiful! It would have been better if we could have stayed longer, but other than that we had a great time! A few photos to share...

Mini-golf, boys vs. girls (girls totally kicked butt!)

The bride and groom, I love this shot

Damon and the bride, note there is a water park attached to the hotel, so in between dancing he and his cousin Jack hit the slides at the water park! Classic that he danced with Tia with his towel still wrapped around his waist!

Misc. Photos

We leave for Wisconsin tomorrow...I should be sleeping as Terry said we are leaving at 6:00 a.m. Yikes. Therefore, not many words...just a few photos, enjoy.

E, Damon and Corey at the July 4th parade...

My dad and I...

Caroline, Ethan's sister, after swim lessons...