Is This Heaven?

No... it's Iowa. More specifically it's Dubuque. Cindy and I went to Dubuque over Labor Day to visit Dene' and Tyler in their newest adventure. What a fun town. A college town sitting on the Mississippi river with lots to do and lots to see.



We had our own personal taxi



The town of Dubuque sits on the Mississippi river but is built upon the bluffs. Some of the roads are steeper than in Lead and have amazing views of the town and the river.







The view



The photographer

  
A look back towards town from a park.






On the river. 



 Dene' and Tyler's Apartment is one block from the river/harbor. They have a great view from their roof top terrace.

 

D and T's place



It was a little chilly that weekend but was a nice change from the 90 degree heat of Lincoln.



Breakfast on the terrace.



Tyler is working for Focus doing Varsity Catholic.

The school sits on top of a bluff over looking the river. A very beautiful campus.



And the visit would not have been complete without a soccer  match.



The crowd

We went to a river museum just across the street from Dene' and T's apartment. We learned everything there is to learn about the Mississippi River and the steam boats that navigate it.





Photo op on the boat.





The newest river boat captain!



Such a good looking bunch.



Tyler is looking at the one that got away.



So next time you're planning your vacation or driving through Dubuque...stop and spend sometime with these two people...you"ll be glad you did.





Dubuque...is for lovers.



Fly Little Bird

   The story you are about to hear is true...well mostly true...OK...some parts are true. Some of the photos are completely natural (flowers) some are reenactments of what really happened...and others...are just plain staged.

I went out to mow my lawn the other day and as I was picking up sticks I found a baby Robin in the grass.                                                                                      

 



Of coarse this isn't the baby Robin I saw...this is Roger who agreed to be a stand in for this blog. But I did see a little robin in the grass. I put on a pair of gloves and picked the little guy up and moved him\her to the side of the yard. The little birds' mom was not pleased that I was picking up her little one. I didn't catch a lot of what she said but it was either "I told you not to stand so close to the side of the nest" or "You think you can fly but you really can't" (kind of a movie line...which really impressed me...I didn't know birds could play that game).

It got me to thinking of how we send off our kids. Either with a shove out of the nest or try and hold on to them as long as we can. (You didn't know that mowing the lawn was such a philosophical experience did you?) I think I left the nest on my own when I joined the Air Force. I left for boot camp in TX without a change of clothes...just a tooth brush. Where as Cindy said she was kinda pushed out of the nest with "fly little bird." When she graduated High School her Mom moved to NM as she started off to college. But that's the nature of things (get it?). So how do we balance raising our kids with all the care and love we can to only end up having to let them go...or push them out? I found one answer just outside our kitchen door patio. We put up a couple bird houses last year and both of them have renters. Only this one seems to have an addition put on...either to give junior a head start out the door or he came back to the nest after he was out for awhile. Either way Mom and Dad needed space.



They started to add a nest on the roof



This bush  glows at twilight

 Speaking of nature...we have had a good growing season with alot of rain this year. It's the survival of the fittest in my yard...meaning those plants that take the lest amount of care do the best...that includes weeds that pretend to be flowers . We're letting them grow this year because we didn't get any annuals planted. A lot of the plants that flower seem to spring up over nite and then last only a week or so.







These are awesome for a week.



 



 

Wild flower









 

This is some type of weed but looks great...it got to stay






















 

You guessed it





Busy as a bee?



 

                                                                                 

That got me to thinking (dangerous I know)...how I need to slow down and enjoy nature. And pay a little more attention to what nature has to offer, when it's offering it. We have a jungle growing in our back yard and I'm trying to get a handle on it. I cut a path through it a week ago and found an amazing discovery!







 A giraffe! Do you know how rare these are in Nebraska? I'm talking rare! I thought, "if this little guy could be hiding all this time in my backyard, what else is out there?" I started staking out the old watering hole...and sure enough...a zebra showed up. Not nearly as rare as the giraffe, but pretty cool.









Either he's getting a drink or checking out his reflection





                                                         

Then I found out these two know each other...I caught them playing in the back yard.

Ok...I got a little off track here (can you get off track in a blog?)...but that is my adventures in my back yard. What's going on in your backyard?

                                                                              

                           



                                                             Thanks for haning around!









 

 

Top 10 reasons we like to go to Mom's House!

Why we like to go to Mom's house......

#10 The squirrels are smaller than here. I'm not saying that makes them cute...you just don't have to worry about them carrying off your patio furniture.










#9 There are great sporting events!



Home run a coming!



Sold out seating at basesball

World Ladder Ball Champion chips

#8 Lots of entertainment. From non stop Sudoku puzzles, to my sisters (very entertaining), to hanging in the backyard (Mom and Dad's to Sherry and Dave's). It's a party when two or more gather together!

A star in the making



Oh, Mom



April at Zarah's reception with grand kids Parker and Tanner, and Michael



Cindy's step father, Jim, and Zarah

More Zarah party pics



Party pictures



Expert marshmellow cookers



Partiers

#7 The coffee pot is on before you get out of bed. Of coarse this doesn't mean a lot to those who get up at 10am or later. Cindy calls Mom and Dad's the best bed and breakfast in the Hills (Sherry and Dave are a close second, but you have to side with the hand that feeds you. :) )





#6 The back yard! For living in an apartment Mom and Dad might as will be the only one there when it comes to the back yard. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are only a step out the back door. Coffee in the morning...68 degrees outside - can't beat it! Cindy says the world goes away in Mom and Dad's backyard (that's a good thing).


Two good looking people

What a Grandma



Party all the time.



You gotta love em!

Paparazzii



This lilttle guy is always happy...unless it's time to sleep



Three good looking guys

#5 Bed time is 9pm...for those over 50, this is a good thing! Cindy and I keep telling each other that we are going to get to bed earlier than we do....but rarely do. At Mom and Dad's it's lights out at 9!

#4 The Hills are beautiful and special...you have hills...and seasons...and pine trees...(and motor cycles)...we love to climb Harney Peak every chance we get.

Here's Alex in his Super Hero Cape carrying Michael up and down Harney Peak

This was Michaels 2nd trip up Harney Peak...1st Ashley carried him...BB (before birth)...now with Alex...he was hot and bored...to sleep.

#3 The Magic Board! This almost made it to the number one spot. It is amazing...put donuts on it...pie...pizza....games...trout (this was a stretch for the board but it came through). Is there nothing this board can't do? Where was this board when we were growing up? I think I know the answer to this one...it was around and it was called Mom.  We just didn't know it at the time until we all grew up.

#2  Dad...you made it to the number 2 spot...and if I know you like I think I do (since I am proud to have many of your great traits), as men we are just happy to make the top 10.  I watched you with Michael and how comfortable you both were together. I realized that you are still setting an example that I want to follow. Thanks, Dad.

Having some guy time

   And now what we have all been waitting for....why we love to go to Mom's house....

#1 Mom!...ok, no big surprise here, but Moms never stop being moms.  I see this with Cindy and our girls...she is a great Mom to two grown daughters and always gives you, Mom, the credit for the example you have given her. So, Mom, you are number 1 on our list....for a lot of reasons.  For the great breakfast you make, aside from burning sausage and plates :).  For being the gathering place for family, for your unconditional love, for teaching me to be the great chef I am (and the humble person), for your love for dad and all us kids.  Thanks, Mom! 

This is a Great grandma









Keep the lights on...we will be back soon!