Farmers' Market and Science Center

Hello!

We've been having such fun this summer! Our latest adventure was down to the Farmers' Market.

We got a later start than we would have liked, but it actually worked to our favor as the first wave of shoppers had left and we got a prime parking spot right near the action!

Rodney especially liked the cooler temperatures -- Hannah and I needed hoodies. Perfect! It's hard to believe we were sweating in the 100-degree temperatures just two days before.

 Hannah LOVED petting the dogs at the Animal Rescue League booth. 

I think a puppy is in our future!

 A little girl and her daddy – this photo melts my heart!

After the farmers' market, we headed over to the Science Center of Iowa to continue our morning of fun! We recently became members and judging from the fun we had Saturday morning, there will be MANY more trips in our future! 

The bubble room was a big draw ... Daddy was the best at making big, big bubbles! 

All smiles in the bubble area!

Next up was the farming display. Hannah loved putting food on the conveyor belt and getting it to the store. Her favorite part was loading up the belt with fish because they would dive off into a net below. 

Harvesting apples at the Science Center of Iowa. 

Daddy was having fun with this pins pressure display, but Hannah had other areas in her sight. 

Mommy and Hannah had fun racing balls down the slides. 

Someone is trying to beat Mommy by starting early!

Daddy explaining the domino effect. 

Daddy teaching Hannah all about dams in the water display. 

Mommy and Hannah launching rockets. It was so fun to see how far they would shoot!

Air pressure is so fun! It shot the ball very high in the air!

Using air to blow her hair around. Everyone loves science! 

Until next time!

Jaimie

2016 Colorado vacation

Hello!

It's been a little quiet here as we have been enjoying our summer vacation! We visited Rodney's folks, who live near Estes Park, CO. It's always such a relaxing time soaking in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

 Taking our annual photo at Nana and Papa's picture rock. 

 Rest stops are the perfect place for practicing letters. P ... O ... N ... Y!

 Blowing bubbles on the front porch. 

 Running through the sprinkler while watering Nana and Papa's lawn.

 Mom and Dad went to Denver for a little getaway!

 In our case, this was goodbye for now, Colorado!

 Swinging at the cute little park near Nana and Papa's house.

 Moving wood chips with the digger -- a little engineer in the making?

 Car naps are the best way to travel through Nebraska! 

Rodney reigns as this year's mini golf champion. 

 Filling the wagon with wood chips -- then pushing them down the slide. 

 "Alligator" rides were a daily treat ... for Dad AND Hannah!

Rodney's indulging my love for factory tours ... Super YUM!

Watch here for more posts of our summer adventures!

~ Jaimie

Visiting the horses!

We spent an afternoon at the Jester Park Equestrian Center.

First we got to meet the Percheron parade horses ...

Then Hannah got to ride a pony! His name is Jack and he was very gentle. She LOVED it, even though she looks really scared.


They even let her groom a beautiful white horse named Izzy. What a fun day for this future cowgirl!

First family trip to Adventureland

We had our first family trip to Adventureland recently! Hannah's favorite ride? The carousel, of course! (We almost didn't get to ride anything else.) I braved the Storm Chaser and Rodney hit the tubes at the water park with our friends. What a fun day!

Not afraid one bit of the Frog Hopper!

 Mommy and Hannah taking a spin on the carousel -- trip 1 of 15.  

Loving the ladybug ride. 

 Daddy was trying to teach her how to raise and lower the airplane 

from the sidelines – so funny! She finally caught on near the end of the ride. 

Happy Independence Day!

What better way to celebrate our freedom than with good old fashioned family fun? We spent the 4th watching a parade that goes right outside our house, picnicking with Hannah's birth family, and playing outside with friends. Happy birthday, America! 

 Hannah's Fourth of July finest! 

Waiting for the parade to start on our lawn.

It's always so fun to take a photo with Hannah's birth family!

Jumping in the bounce house and holding a balloon animal.

It was tough to tear Hannah away from this mechanical pig, Porky!

Bubbles are so much fun! 

No naps were catching up with Hannah at this point. 

Sippin' and chattin' with a new friend. 

Omaha Children's Museum

One of the things we want to do with this page is share some of the fun things we do as a family. 

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to the Omaha Children's Museum.

Hannah was fascinated with the floating balls. 

Daddy is supervising Hannah's experiment. 

Mom and Hannah cheesing for the camera. 

Don't forget the milk! 

I love how Hannah loaded her cart with fruits and vegetables.

Blowing bubbles!

We definitely will be making a return visit next time we are in Omaha! 

Our journey to parenthood ...

Here's a brief update on our journey to parenthood. 

We started trying for a family back in 2005. After no success on our own, we started many rounds of fertility treatments. I was able to get pregnant 3 times, but miscarried. 

We started working with Bethany Christian Services in 2011, and our home study was approved in June 2012. Hannah was placed with us in January 2013. We are so blessed! 

Our second home study process began in late 2014 and we've been approved for placement since March 2015. 

And now ... we prayerfully await God's perfect timing to complete our family! 

~ Jaimie