Howell’s Tree Farm

We always like to go to Howell’s around Lucia’s birthday. With her being sick last week we postponed our visit until this week. Our favorite activities, in order of participation, include feeding the goats, riding the bathtub train, jumping on the jumping pillows, playing on the playground, riding the ziplines, getting kettle corn and apple cider at the concession stand, wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, big wheel race, picking out pumpkins, riding the zippy scooters, riding the 4-person bike, going down the giant slide, and playing in the human-sized hamster wheel.

Feeding the goats
Riding the bathtub train
Howell’s

Music in the Park

This weekend we attended not one, but two Des Moines Symphony Pops performances at Water Works Park. The first night was a tribute to Billy Joel and the second night was Broadway dance favorites. Fun was had.

State Fair

We attended the Iowa State Fair this year on the first day because Rose was performing with her tumbling troup. That was fun and it was another fun day at the fair.

Corndogs!
Little Hands on the Farm
They like to climb on the concrete animals.
Rose on a Rhino
We went to Snakes Alive! this year for the first time.
Andrew joined us for the evening.
Cotton Candy is a must.
Andrew ate some Iowa sushi.
Lucia and Rose had their picture taken with some county fair queens.

Snookies

Nothing caps off a sweltering summer day like a visit to Snookies. Ian and Hope work there, too, though only Ian was working this evening.

Google decides the placement for these, and I usually just roll with it.

Adventureland

As an add-on for Rose’s birthday, we went to Adventureland. It was Lucia and Rose’s first time going there and the first time they had been to an amusement park for a couple of years. They had a blast on the rides and with their friends.

I think they went on the swings more than any other ride, but their favorite rides were the roller coasters.

Howell’s Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon we took our annual trip to Howell’s Pumpkin Patch with Lucia and Rose. We like to go on or around Lucia’s birthday, but we were a few days late this year. Here’s way too many photos!

Cool Swing
Feeding the goats
Bathtub Train
Jumping Pillow
Zipline
Ride to the corn maze and pumpkin patch, with zinnias.

After Howell’s we had to hurry home to get to Rose’s soccer practice. With the sun setting so early, it is starting to get too dark to practice, so we had some fun with it.

State Fair Time!

The Lieslands love the Iowa State Fair – or at least Rose, Lucia and I do. Susan likes it, too, but for a few fewer hours than us. Mari went to the fair 2 or 3 times, but never with us.

Gluten free, vegan deep-fried Oreos, homemade for Lucia.
The girls love climbing on this elephant.
Both girls love cotton candy, but none for Lucia this year.
They love this sort of thing.
Susan joined us mid-day, and we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Everybody loves the cold watermelon.
Miss Iowa was super sweet with the girls.
Visiting the dairy cows.
Trying on some western wear.
On the way out.

Late Summer Happenings

Lucia’s first time going off the diving board.
Susan and Shelly in Shelly’s classic car.
We went to a Des Moines Menace playoff game. They lost on PKs.
We went to a car show.
We decorated the sidewalk.
We went for a walk along the Des Moines river while Mari was at soccer tryouts.
Making bracelets was a popular activity this summer.
I was a referee at Keeper Wars, a goalie competition.
The kids made our foam float into a slide for the pool.
The girls played in the creek on a walk with Susan.
We got a cool volleyball net for the pool.
We went for a hike at Greenwood Park.
Rose, Lucia, and I went to the state fair.
Andrew and Susan went to Eatery A for a final meal. College departure is close.
Boy Cousins. They had a final weekend together, spending the night and doing some fun activities.
Mari’s soccer season started, with a new club. She is in the white.
We got a new couch.
8/16 – We had the Liesses and Reagens over for one last dinner before Andrew and Ian head off to college.

July 2021

  • Gray’s Lake
  • Lucia getting her ears pierce
  • Working on the deck
  • Clive Festival
  • Deck Stairs
  • Giant Waterslide
  • Giant Waterslide
  • Our pool is not the right color
  • Garden Vegetables
  • Fireworks at the Anhalt’s
  • Worlds of Fun
  • Froghopper
  • Dance Party
  • Mary, Mari, and Luke went on the giant swing.

DSM Arts Festival

This evening we headed to the Des Moines Arts Festival to see some art and lovelytheband. The band just has one big hit, but we all had fun at the live concert.