Mt. Clive

When we walk Ruben in the evenings we like to do a loop around the prairie, at the back of which is a big pile of dirt. We call it Mt. Clive. It is a great place to let Ruben run and view the sunset.

Can you find Lucia and Rose?
The view from the top, on another day.

Prairie Walk

This summer we have been enjoying taking Ruben for a walk around the prairie near our house. He loves running off the leash, Lucia and Rose love the giant pile of dirt, and we love the sunsets.

Susan and Rose Marriage

I left for the weekend, and Susan and Rose got married.

The happy couple.
I was in Louisville with my college friends. We graduated 20 years ago and there were a couple of folks whom I hadn’t seen since.

Fourth of July Weekend

We took advantage of the long weekend to replace the siding on our chimney.
On the 3rd we joined the Reagens downtown for our traditional fireworks viewing. The moon was cool.
4th of July Pool Party
Pool Partiers
Sparklers
Jam Session

Ruben’s DNA Results

Over the weekend we received Ruben’s DNA results. A Mini American Shepherd is the same thing as a Mini Australian Shepherd, from our research. So he is mostly Australian Shepherd, with some Bernese personality, and short hair like the Cattle Dog. Sounds about right. I will need a geneticist to explain the 1% Border Collie to me.

Bonus pic: Ruben getting ready for his first bath in the Liesland house. We spent a few minutes getting him comfortable in the bathroom. In the end he did an excellent job and was very cooperative.

Pine Tree Island

Our house is on a corner that is structured like a cul-de-sac. In the center of the cul-de-sac is a big pine tree that the neighborhood kids have fun playing in.

Rose climbing the pine tree.

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.