Getting Ready for the Show

Grandpa Robertson keeps telling Dallas he needs to be practicing showing sheep so that he will be able to help this year at the Iowa State Fair. Well, this morning, Dallas decided to tackle breaking his lamb to lead.

It was a lot of fun in the beginning...
Then, the poor boy got tuckered out!

Dallas wanted to let everyone know...this is hard work!

Until next time...

ECIPA

Saturday night, Doug and I took Dallas to his first truck and tractor pull sponsored by the ECIPA (East Central Iowa Pullers Association) in Marengo. We were not sure what he would think of it, but here was his reaction to the first truck to pull...
"Dad! Did you see that?"

Dallas loved it all! He didn't mind the noise level one bit. I was so proud of him. He kept pointing at the trucks and tractors...he just couldn't get enough of them! Well, for the first 2 hours anyway. Then, he did get a bit restless and had to walk around some; but overall, he did great.

The pulls consisted of (1) lawn mowers...

(2) 4-wheel drive trucks...

~The only Ford to pull in the 4-wheel drive class (and no, he did not win)

(3) Pro-stock tractors

~I liked the name of this one - Knee Deep. Don't we all feel this way at some point...

~The local boy from Marengo...Aunt Allis

(4) Modified 2-wheel drive trucks

~This guy was pretty cool...you don't usually see this old of a truck at these pulls.

(5) Street diesel trucks

There was also another class of 2-wheel drive trucks, another class of pro-stock tractors, and some sort of mini-rod garden tractors.

If you are familiar with Marengo, this next picture would come as no surprise...but I just can't help but laugh at the "class" of people that show up to these events. Anywho, this guy won best hair from me...

Yes, that pony tail comes from the upper half of his head...and the bottom half is cut short. Is this a reverse rat tail of some kind? Of course, he had multiple piercings in his ears and always had a beer in hand as well as a cigarette in the other! Gotta love 'em.

Until next time...

Week 19!!!

Holy macro...one more week and I will be half way through this pregnancy!!! Craziness.

Here I am in all my glory at 19 weeks. Please excuse my not so cleanliness...I just finished mowing the yard...and it is HOT out there. (Yes, I was wearing my SPF 50 sunscreen).

Here is the progression picture...going all the way back to week 13.

I'm feeling pretty good for the most part...just still getting tired very easily. It is also becoming more difficult to sleep at night. I am usually a tummy sleeper, and well, I just can't do that anymore. Gertie is moving more and more each day. I'm sure it won't be too much longer and others will be able to feel the little one move.

Dallas is quite curious about my belly. He will lift up my shirt and just pat my stomach. I'll tell him to say hi to the baby, and he just looks at me with a look of complete confusion on his face. It is pretty funny. Dallas is also into giving kisses (when you ask...most of the time), but he has yet to give Gertie a kiss. He thinks about it, and then just laughs and runs away.

Speaking of running away, I better go catch my little man!

Until next time...

Popsicle

Since it was so steaming hot outside yesterday, I thought Dallas would enjoy a popsicle for a snack in the afternoon. Here were his thoughts on it...

Until next time...

Pool Party

Yesterday was a big pool party for Dallas. The temperatures were in the mid-90's, with heat index of 100+. Needless to say...it was hot! I got Dallas' pool out around 9:30 yesterday morning, and he swam until noon when it was time for lunch. He then took a great afternoon nap, and when Doug got home and we had supper, it was back in the pool! These pictures are from the evening swim.

Dallas' favorite thing to do was fill his watering can and then dump it - either back in the pool, on himself or on me!

Lounging pool side with the boys

I wasn't really planning on him getting in the pool, so he had on his regular diaper...boy, do those things retain the water!

While sitting by the pool, I realize I hardly ever post pictures of the boys...so I took their pictures so I could post them. They enjoyed the day in the shade yesterday...even Fred who loves the sun!

Until next time...

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Start your engines!!!

As an anniversary gift to Doug, which was June 4th, I bought tickets to the Indy Car Series - Iowa Corn 250 race. The race was yesterday, so the tickets also functioned as a Father's Day gift! In addition to the race tickets, I also purchased tickets for the Fan Walk.

With the Fan Walk, we took a shuttle down into the infield before the race, and we were able to walk right behind the pits. Right when we got off the shuttle, we were able to catch a glimpse of Danica Patrick on a golf cart. Then, we saw Scott Dixon and his wife get off their moped. I was able to get their picture...
We saw Victory Lane upclose...

One of the pits getting ready for the race...

A famous name is Indy Racing...AJ Foyt Racing. (This is Ryan Hunter-Reay's pit.)

Trying to catch a glimpse of Graham Rahal...

Helio Castroneves' team pre-race...

Roger Penske with Ryan Briscoe's pit team

Dropping the green flag for the first time...

Our view of pit row

Tony Kanaan takes the lead!!!

Tony Kanaan wrecks a lap after coming out of the pits :(

Dario Franchitti wins!

The best part of race day...the various hairstyles that you see! This was one of my favs from the day...

After the race, country singer Shannon Brown (of Spirit Lake, Iowa) put on a concert. We heard her sing a couple of songs before taking a break for the Victory Lane festivities. Doug and I whimped out and left because of the heat. Plus, it was going to be another 45 minutes before she was to come back on stage.

All in all, we had a wonderful time! Aunt Katie came down to the spend the afternoon with Dallas, and they had a great time together as well.

Until next time...

Happy Father's Day!

Dallas and I wanted to send out a big

Happy Father's Day

wish to Daddy (Doug), Grandpa Robertson and Grandpa Bergman. We're sorry that we didn't get our cards in the mail sooner, but they are on their way...promise.

We also hope that all the other Dad's out there have a fantastic day!

Until next time...

What do you get when...

The day starts out with a huge thunderstorm that passes by to the north...
The sun comes out and raises the temperature (very, very quickly) to around 85 degrees...
and the humidity is 98 to 100%?

Did you say another storm?

Yes, that is correct. But what else?

Give up?

How about 3 and 3/10 inches of rain in a little under an hour and a half!

Yep...that's what happened here yesterday. Doug, Dallas and I drove around last night after Doug had to drive through some water across the road to get home from work. He didn't think they were nearly as bad as this...
That is about a mile from our house...I think they might have to put down some more gravel...

This is the English River close to a field Doug's department has planted in before. As we drove up to the bridge, this little log was drifting on down the river...

Oh, wait! That's no little log! That's more like a tree trunk!!!

Um...yeah. You can typically easily walk across this river and not get your knees wet. Don't think we'll be trying it for a while.

Until next time...

Week 18

I can't believe I am already at 18 weeks! We are almost half-way through this pregnancy!!! I'm sure for most of you that seems even crazier because you haven't known about Gertie all that long. I am feeling pretty well, and my energy is slowly making a comeback. This week has been hard in the mornings because Doug and I have been running the "fun and games" section at VBS in the evenings. Tonight is the last night for that, so maybe I won't be out so late for a while!

Here is the week 18 picture. I have been feeling Gertie move for a couple weeks now. I'm not sure if I have mentioned that. I usually only feel "her" in the evening after laying down for bed. As far as her development, she is around 5 inches in length and weighs about 5 ounces. And, yes, it has gotten hot this week. Luckily, my tank-tops are stretchy and still fit!

Until next time...

It's Never too late for a First...

Last night, on our way home from VBS, we decided to take a different route from our usual one. The variation we have taken before, but it had been a while. Anywho...this route consists of more gravel and it was beginning to get foggy. Well...getting to the point of the story: That stupid deer did not look before deciding to cross the road! It hit Lily (my car) on the passenger side, right at the front tire. It was the first time I have ever been hit by a deer!

Thankfully, Doug was able to maintain complete control of the car; no one was hurt; and the deer was able to run away. As far as Lily...there really isn't too much visible damage, but the front passenger door doesn't open at the time of this post. You'll notice a ding in front of the wheel and behind the wheel. I just hope it doesn't cost too much to repair.

Other than that...VBS is going great. Our VBS theme is "Marvelous Mystery: The Mass Comes Alive". We had a blast the first night. The weather was awesome and we were able to do our game outside. We had a mystery hunt and all the kids loved! Last night we talked about how the Mass is a gift, so we gave (pinned) our hearts to Jesus in a "pin the tail on the donkey style"! Tonight we are talking about the Mass is a celebration, so the kiddos are going to get dressed-up for the party and either pop balloons or if the weather is dry, toss water balloons! I'm sure it will be another fun evening.

Until next time...

Time Out

to recap our weekend.

We had a pretty good weekend. It started with dinner out on Friday evening. Doug was asked to donate platelets/plasma for a little boy in need at the university hospital. Luckily, they had a late appointment for Friday that worked in his schedule. They told him to eat a good meal before coming...so we all went out for Mexican and it was delicious! While Doug donated, Dallas and I made the dreadful trip to Wal-Mart. Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded and we managed to get all we needed and back to the hospital by the time Doug was finished.

Saturday morning, Doug went into work to get some computer stuff done because he figured on being in the field all week tissue testing. He only worked until noon and made it just in time to clean up the sick mess Charlie made. (Typically, that does not bother me...but just looking at it made me sick! Darn pregnancy!)

Anywho...Doug mentioned that there was a flea market/craft show going on at the square in town with some kid games. It was pretty over cast and wet (we had an inch and a half of rain through the night) so it was a good excuse to get out of the house. There wasn't much up there, but we did find some new kitchen towels that hang on the oven and a cute bib for Dallas.

After we finished walking around the square, we went and returned empty pop cans and beer bottles and picked up a few groceries and items for Vacation Bible School that is this week.

Sunday started with church and was followed by a farewell party for Chris - our director of religious education and Dallas' Godfather. After getting home, we mowed the yard, changed the oil in the truck, played with Dallas, and worked in the garden. Doug then had a Knights of Columbus meeting Sunday night.

All in all, we stayed busy! Needless to say, I was super tired this morning! Luckily, Dallas was too and we got to sleep a little late.

As I mentioned earlier, VBS starts tonight! Doug and I are in charge of the games. Hopefully, the weather holds out for us this week, and we can be outside for them.

Alright, I have now wrote a novel...and my timer just went off for the cookies! Plus, I have some things left to get ready before Dallas wakes up from his nap!

Of course, I have to have a picture...we had lamb bbq over the weekend. Dallas loved it so much, he decided to wear it!
Until next time...

Dallas at 15 Months!

Not only am I 17 weeks along in this pregnancy, but Dallas turned 15 months old today! I meant to get some more pictures of him outside playing today, but I didn't remember until it was bath time! (Darn pregnancy brain...I seem to be pretty forgetful these days!)

Anywho...here is my big boy getting all cleaned up.

He loves to run around in his diaper after taking a bath...of course, there has to be a tractor in his hand at all times.

Reading a nice book before bed time (yes, that is The Pokey Little Puppy he is reading).

Until next time...