Sunday's Tornado

Happy Friday everyone.

I just received an email from Doug with a link to aerial pictures taken of Parkersburg, IA - after the tornado that hit on Sunday. I thought I would pass it along because I'm sure many of you have heard about it from the news. Just click here. When you get to this site, you can slow down the pictures (or pause) them by scrolling your cursior over the bottom of the screen and a panel will show up with buttons to control the slideshow.

The tornado was classified as an EF 5 - the highest rating for a tornado. As the tornado went through Parkersburg, it was a mile wide, and it stayed on the ground for 43 miles! Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been cooperative yesterday or today for clean-up. The area has received anywhere from 2 -4 inches of rain, and they are now experiencing some flash flooding.

Last night, there was a storm that passed through our area. We received over an inch of rain and a lot of wind, but nothing severe. Our weekend looks to be great though. Saturday is to have a high of 80, and Sunday is to have a high of 81. Next week looks to have highs in the 70's with rain each day. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Until next time...

Thursday Tales

I can't believe it is already Thursday! Where has the week gone? I guess that is what you get when "starting" the week on Tuesday!

On Tuesday evening, Doug and I had our 4th session of the couple prayer series at our church. It is a six week series...so we are almost finished. It has gone by very quickly. Doug will miss next week's session because he will be out of town for meetings, but Dallas and I will catch him up on what he misses.

Last night, I went to Tama for the Confirmation practice and reconciliation. This Sunday is the big day for my religious education students - they will finally be confirmed! Last year, there was over 40 candidates within the cluster...this year, we barely made 20! So the mass on Sunday will be much shorter than last year!!!

Today is just another cloudy, rainy day. The temperature is rising - finally. We are suppose to be in the 70's for the weekend and through all next week! Of course, there are multiple days with the chance of rain...so it will be pretty humid, too.

I'm going to end this with a picture. Doug couldn't resist seeing what Fred would do if Dallas tried to share the chair. We were both pretty surprised by Fred's reaction...

He didn't seem to mind!

Have a great day!

Until next time...

Lovin' the Long Weekend

Hello All!

I hope you had a great, long weekend. The weather was really nice for us. We were not affected by the tornado that hit the Parkersburg, IA area. That is about 90 miles to the northwest of us. There is a Monsanto plant near Parkersburg - a few of Doug's co-workers used to work there. I'm not sure if it had any damage. Please, just keep all those families affected in your thoughts and prayers.

Friday night we attended a going away party at the local winery for one of the gals Doug worked with. It was such a neat place. They have an outdoor firepit area where there is a stage for a band. Every Friday night, they have live music, food, and, of course, wine. Friday night was also a first for us, as Dallas went to the neighbors house for the evening! I feel that I handled it very well, and our neighbors said that he did great...they said he didn't cry at all!

Saturday morning Doug tried his hand at fishing for the first time this year. Unfortunately, the fish were not biting. Doug then did a lot of work outside - especially in the garden. Sunday, we went to church, mowed the yard, and grilled out. We also watched the Indy 500...one of the perks of not living in Indiana - the race isn't blacked out! Monday was a pretty lazy day. We did go to Cedar Rapids to check out the Theisen's store and stopped for some ice cream on the way home. We finished off the evening by enjoying the weather outside. It was a lot cooler outside than inside! We got out the Cornhole boards and played a game - which I won! Doug also planted some potatoes and a couple strawberry plants. We'll see how they do!

Last night we did get some rain, so it will keep the farmers out of the fields for another day. I think it is to continue raining throughout the day and only reach a high of 55! A big drop from the 80 degree weather we had over the weekend.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:


Doug captured this smile the other evening!


Dallas got a new hat over the weekend...
one that actually stays on his head!


Doug and Dallas enjoying the weather!

Enjoy your 4-day week!

Until next time...

Tractors

Today, as I was unloading the dishwasher, I heard Dallas shuffling around in his playpen. I went to peek on him to see what he was up to! He had turned himself (kid you not) to get a closer look at Doug's tractors! I think he was trying to decide which one he wanted to play with.

Doug isn't home yet from work...so I don't know what his reaction will be...but I'm sure he will laugh and be proud of his son for wanting the tractor.

We hope everyone has a wonderful, long weekend!

Until next time...

Heads Up

Pictures

OK...so I knew when I put up my last blog that I would probably get in trouble for not putting pictures with the note. I was correct. Missy called me out on it. It has been hard to find time recently to download pictures from the camera, down size them and then post them. I know what you're thinking..."Excuses Rajean!" We are all busy, and I completely understand that...so without further ado...pictures:

Dallas helping Mommy with a post.

{The following family pictures are from Mother's Day. Doug, Dallas, and I met everyone in Peoria, IL at the Texas Roadhouse...and then went to Culver's for some ice cream. }

Grandpa Robertson and Dallas

Aunt Lisa and Dallas

Grandpa Bergman and Dallas

GG and Dallas (he was getting pretty sleepy at this point)

Grandma Robertson and Dallas (finally out!)

Grandma Bergman and Dallas

Dallas was "talking" up a storm the other day.

(I've tried to do videos but I can't seem to get

them to post...any tips?)

Ready for the Kernels game!

Dad, Dallas and Mr. Shucks

(we wanted a picture with the "real" Mr. Shucks,

but he never made his way to where we were sitting)

Dallas enjoying his very first baseball game.

What a big flirt!

We did get our garden planted this weekend - the weather was awesome! Jeremy, Laura, Mitchell, and Justin came over yesterday afternoon to help us. It took us almost three hours to plant everything! Doug rewarded the boys for their help with a ride on the Oliver. I was going to go out this morning to take a picture (Missy) of the garden, but it is raining! Also, our neighbors (Craig and Kathy) bought us a peach tree as a "house warming gift". It arrived yesterday, so we planted it as well. In a couple years we should have some peaches!!! That's about all that is news worthy around here.

Until next time...

Sorry

Long time...no post. I'm sorry. It has been an exceptionally busy week for us. Here's a recap of our week.

Monday, I caught up the laundry from the weekend.

Tuesday, Doug and I had a meeting at church. Our church cluster has started a couples prayer series. It is a 6 week DVD series about learning to pray as a couple. It is rather enjoyable...except the traveling to Tama every other week. The first week of the series we were by far the youngest couple. This past week there was another couple close to our age...so it wasn't as awkward.

Wednesday, Doug, Dallas, and I went to Iowa City for a "reunion" of our Lamaze class. It was suppose to be a time to share our experiences of labor and delivery with the others that were in our class and with a new class that is about ready to conclude. {We had a few couples the last night of our class come back and speak with us.} Unfortunately, we were the only couple to remember the "reunion" date. It was still fun to see Shari again and show off Dallas!

Thursday, Doug's department got a great jump on planting so Doug didn't come home for lunch. But...it was the perfect day for that to happen because Laura called and invited Dallas and I to lunch! We ate at the Country Club and had wonderful visit. Laura is going to do a garden with us this summer...so we chit-chatted about that some, too.

Friday...today...Dallas went for his 2 month check-up. Here's his current stats: Height - 24 1/2 inches; Weight - 15 lbs 3 oz; Head Circumference - 17 inches. He is in the 90th percentile for his height, and over the 95th percentile for his weight and head circumference! (meaning...he is one of the bigger kids for his age!) He did get his 2 month shots...and did not like them at all. He cried (with tears) for a long time...finally went to sleep for 2 and a half hours, and then started crying again! When Doug got home at 5:30, he took over so I could have a break. I started mowing the yard, and stopped around 7:30 to feed Dallas. Since then...he has been back to his happy self.

We were going to go to a Kernels baseball game tonight, but decided to wait until Dallas felt better. I think we are going to try and go Sunday afternoon. Tomorrow, I am going to finish the yard and Doug is going to work up the garden space.

We hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

A note from Dallas

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to write a note before Mom put me to bed. I didn't get a chance this morning to wish all the mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day! Mom, Dad and I went to Peoria, IL today to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Robertson, Grandma and Grandpa Bergman, GG, and Aunt Lisa. We ate at the Texas Roadhouse, and it was delicious! (well, that's what Mom said) We also went to Culver's and got sundaes...they were good too.

Happy Mother's Day!

One more thing before I head off to bed, did you all realize that I am two months old today?!?! I had to remind Mom to take my picture so everyone could see how big I'm getting. I go to the doctor for my 2 month check-up on Friday. I'll make sure Mom updates you on my growth. She says I might be a bit cranky after the appointment...something has been said about getting shots, and I really don't like the sound of that!

Dallas ~ Two Months Old

Love,
Dallas

Tears

Well, it finally happened. Dallas had his first real tears today. Now, when Grandma and Grandpa Robertson were out to visit the weekend after Easter, he was very close to tears one day. His eyes were wet, but no tears. Then, there was the other morning when Dallas lost control of his head and bounced the back of his head off the arm of the rocking chair. He cried some, but no tears.

Today...it was tears!

Here's what happened. Dallas and I were playing on the floor this morning doing some tummy time. Everything was going great. Then the dogs decided that they wanted to play as well. At first, the dogs were staying on their "side" of the living room floor, but then they lost track of where they were. The next thing I know, Charlie took a step backwards and stepped on Dallas. {I know...I should have had myself between Dallas and the dogs, but I was trying to get Dallas to turn his head and look to his left.} I'm not exactly sure where Charlie stepped on Dallas, but I'm thinking it was his arm. He didn't have any kind of marks on this face. When I picked him up and turned him toward me, the tears were forming and starting to fall. They didn't last too long, but it brought tears to my eyes that he was hurt.

All is good now. The weather was great today. The sun was out for most of the day. It was a bit windy, but what's new there! Doug took off work a little early and rented a yard sprayer from the hardware store. We sprayed some Round-Up on a patch in our backyard so we can make a garden! Let's hope that there wasn't too much draft and overspray! I guess we'll find out in a few days...

Until next time...

Cheese!

Dallas woke up this morning in a great mood. He was so full of smiles! I was finally able to capture them on film...well, after clicking the camera many times! Take a look...

Attempt 1: Not quite fast enough

Attempt 2: Huge grin

Attempt 3: Sweet Smile

After having a happy morning, Dallas went back to the therapist for a follow-up with his neck. He has made some progress but still has some way to go. You probably noticed in the pictures, he is still always looking to the right. We go back in a month for another follow-up. Until then, we are to do lots of tummy time and stretching.

Until next time...

Tulilp Time

On Saturday, we made our way down to the town of Pella, IA for the 70th Annual Tulip Time Festival. Doug, Dallas, and I met Aunt Katie there around 10 in the morning. If you remember in my previous post, I was hoping for a dry day...well, it rained through the night, but the sun was out and shining brightly when we arrived. The only downfall was the wind, but we do live in Iowa and we shouldn't have been surprised/bothered by it. By noon, we each had shed a layer and found some great food!

I never knew there were so many variety of tulips! They are each so lovely and different. In the downtown square there are some 25,000 tulips. In front of the houses leading up to main street, there are tulips planted in neat rows. We are unsure if the city maintains those flower beds or if the residents do, but either way, they are perfect. Katie and I took lots of pictures (on her camera because my battery was dead!). Here they are...I hope you enjoy them!

There is a group of 16 girls from the high school that sing and dance to old Holland folk songs.

This sun dial was a gift to the city as well as the tower in the background. You can also see some of the flags representing the different Providences in Holland.

Various tulip beds around town.

The Dutch are famous for wooden shoes...here's Dallas trying on his first pair!

In the downtown area there are two different windmills. The first one pictured is the top of the information booth, and the second one is a working grain mill that was a gift from Holland.

Many of the houses and buildings are of a Dutch style: tall, narrow, and very deep.

Off the downtown square is a beautiful "canal walk" and garden area. Along one of the entrances into the area are these tiled paintings depicting different scenes from Holland communities.

A family picture...yes, Dallas is sleeping!

The Red Rock Threshers Club had an antique tractor display. The JD pictured first is a 1010, which I had never seen before, and Doug says is somewhat rare. The second picture is the group of Olivers that were present.

Dallas...still sleeping

Aunt Katie and her famous self-portraits.

Dallas...waiting for the parade to start

Dallas trying to shade himself from the sun.

One of the entries in the parade was of all the babies in town. We couldn't believe how many participants there were! Some parents carried their babies, while others used old strollers (that they themselves had been pushed in through the parade).

Dallas ... sleeping through the firetruck siren.

Many of the entries were ones that have been participating for many years. This was a new one this year...a train of wooden shoes. A local man had carved each of those shoes from a solid piece of wood and then painted them.

We saw this car driving through town when we first arrived to Pella. We (Doug) didn't know what it was, but when it came through the parade, we found out it is a Lincoln Continental. I forget what year it was...sorry.

This is the Sunken Garden, which was new this year. It is hard to tell in the picture, but the pond is in the shape of a wooden shoe.

Aunt Katie and Dallas on the trolley ride around town to see some of the historic landmarks.

A nice wind-blown look!

The mansion in town was built by Mr. Scholte for his wife when they moved from Holland. He apparently promised his wife he would build her a home exactly like the one they had in Holland within the first year of moving to what is now Pella. Behind the house, is a beautiful tulip garden containing over 20,000 tulips! This statue was placed in the garden at the 150th celebration. We thought it would be fun to put Dallas in the basket of tulips!

This is in the garden behind the Scholte house.

In the flower beds they are very careful to keep the tulips in a row and keep the same variety in the bed. This single yellow one slipped in somehow!