Hello stranger!

I know...I know...it's been too long! Please forgive me! We've had a busy summer! Let me get you caught up. We had a great summer. It included lots of pool time, a trip to Reiman Gardens, both the county fair and the state fair, a ride on Thomas the Train, family pictures, and a real traveling circus...big tent and all!
Grandma and Grandpa moved into a ''townhouse community" which included a pool! Score for us! We got to enjoy the pool quite a bit this summer and, I'm sure, even more next summer!
 The kids and I took Nana and Papa to Reiman Gardens. The theme this year was treehouses which was fun for the kids because it was interactive and they could run around and play on them. I haven't been to Reiman Gardens for a few years and I've forgotten how beautiful it is!
This summer was the 75th anniversary of the Story County Fair so we decided to pack up and head over to Nevada to check it out.  In all honesty, they advertised free admission, free pony rides, free petting zoo and free bounce houses so it seemed worth it! We spent a total of $3 for a brownie sundae (much more economical than the state fair!!) It was the end of July in Iowa so it was extremely hot and humid. So if you know me very well, I was sweating as soon as we got out of the air conditioned car! Lol! The State Fair was surprisingly more comfortable weather-wise. We hit the hot spots...the cows, pigs, horses, food and the Big Slide then called it a day!
We trekked over to Boone, Iowa to see Thomas the Train for ourselves. Owen and Avery have become fans of Thomas and all the engines on the island of Sodor so they were extremely excited to meet the #1 train. We even got to "ride" on him. (Really they just attached a Thomas train to one of the ends of the regular old Boone trains and claimed it was really Thomas.  Fooled our kids though!)
 I convinced my friend Allison to let us come to her house with her beautiful setting and make her take our family pictures! She's so gullible! Lol! No really...she did a great job and I couldn't be happier with the pictures!!
Lastly, (please note that this is in no kind of order) we headed to Iowa Falls to meet up with Lizz, Jordan, and Myles Sheahan. A real traveling circus was in town and we decided it was a unique experience the kids (and we) should get to have! Again, it was summer in Iowa...in a tent...it was hot! We were all sweating this time! Owen loved the entire thing but Avery could have cared less and we could only keep her occupied and seated for a limited time so Owen didn't even get to see the whole show but he really loved what he did see! Jordan even got called out of the crowd to be part of the show! That was hilarious and entertaining! We were the cheap parents who didn't pay to let their kids ride the elephant during intermission but we did take our own (free!) pictures in front of the elephant while others rode it! Ha! It makes me laugh! Anyway...we are caught up now so I can keep up on my posts and you can keep up with the Frederiksens...because I know you are all waiting with bated breath and that was just rude of me to make you wait so long! Never again...promise!

 

I love this photo of Owen! He's so sweet!

Another great picture! A mama and her kiddos

Thomas is back there...somewhere behind Tyler's big head! Lol!

Owen enjoying the (free!) petting zoo at the county fair

Avery riding a tractor at the Story County Fair

Mama and Avery at the (world's hottest) circus

Owen loved the circus! He was enthralled!



The theme of Reiman Gardens this year was "Treehouse."
 Here are Owen and Avery playing in one of the treehouses.

Owen taking a break during our trip to Reiman Gardens



Owen needs some meat on his bones so he doesn't get quite so cold!

 



Avery enjoying a dip in Grandma and Grandpa's pool

My friend Allison got some great family pictures! I love them!





Ugh! Look at those cuties!!