Going to School back in the 70's

This picture is of my brother Justin, sister, Lois and myself on our farm getting ready for school. I 'm the tall one. I played the flute , and Lois played the clarinet. We always just carried our homework. I guess backpacks weren't the in thing at that time.

Halloween 1967 Guess Who's the Witch??

Halloween has become one of my favorite Holidays. I have such fond memories of growing up doing all the fun Halloween stuff. I remember the smell of burning leaves, the taste of Carmel apples, the sounds of trick or treating in our small Iowa town and the sight of all the candy when we dumped it on our Formica table at the end of a full night of Trick or Treating".

The Old Singer Sewing Machine

We recently acquired this Singer sewing machine with all it's original paperwork. It's wonderful and one just like that I learned to sew on. My Grandmother Irene taught me to sew on a Singer Machine identical to this one. I still think it sews some of the best straight stitch.

God Bless Our Fallen Heros... Memories of Arlington National Cementary

The summer of 2008 our family visited Washington DC. One of the most unforgettable visits was to Arlington National Cemetery. Remember ... Freedom isn't Free... God Bless our Hero's!!

The First Day of School.... Riding the School Bus

It's back to school time and it brings back memories of my first days of school back in Avoca, Iowa. We always tried to get a "first Day" picture in front of the school bus. Our bus came at 7am. Our Lab "Queenie" wanted to see us off . Our bus driver was Eric Olsen. He was a wonderful man. He was my bus driver for all my years of school. He was really like a father always looking out for us. Later years he would give me basketball advise ... he was always there to talk.

My sister Lois and I on my first day of kindergarten fall of 1969.

My Favorite Building at the Iowa State Fair

I've been going to the Iowa State Fair for as long as I can remember. The first stop on the visit is always the building that houses the famous "Butter Cow" and all the flowers and produce. It's what the heart of the Iowa State Fair is all about. I understand the building is over 100 years old, but it's just a classic. I hope it never changes.

My Mom the One Room School Teacher

This summer the little town of Bridgewater Iowa celebrated their 125th anniversary.

In honor of my Mom who was a one room school teacher in the Adair County area, we made a float of a replica of a school room with her as the teacher and our son Nathan as Dunce.

Iowa State Fair... Our Family Tradition

We always eat at The Iowa Pork Producers Tent... and it's always delicious.
I was reminiscing about being Pork Queen 30 years ago. I worked at the first Pork tent and help do some of the original planning. I can't believe that was 30 years ago.

Our first stop at the fair ... The Butter Cow

We love crazy pictures. I've been at the fair as a kid, a newlywed, pregnant mom, and now all the kids actually went out on their own after we ate. They are all growing up!!

Swinging Bridge In Columbus Junction Iowa

The Iowa State Fair Butter Cow

Every year our family goes to the Iowa State Fair ... ever since I was a kid. One constant is the Butter Cow. It' the first thing we go to see when we go.

My Senior Picture

I graduated from High School in 1981. Next year will be our 30th Class Reunion. I can't believe it ... Where does the time go? This year my daughter graduated. I'm excited for what lies ahead for her.

I Can't Wait for The Iowa State Fair..

You can't go to The Iowa State Fair without seeing the Butter Cow.. It's a classic!!

I love the Fair Food!!

Everything on a stick. The egg council gives out these hard boiled eggs on a stick. They are Delicious.

We always have to ride the sky lift. It's so Fun!!

Great views of the fair from the sky lift.

These are pictures from last years Iowa State Fair. I Can't Wait!!! It's so wonderful.... This year our daughter will be singing at the Bill Riley talent show. That's something I have ever been to.

Road Trip to Swedsburg Iowa

We toured the Swedsburg Swedish museum.

Jessica is very artistic ,... even on her "Mess Eggs" she ordered at the Ainsworth Truck Stop. By the way they were delicious.

Beautiful Iowa.. Roadside views going down in the Convertible.

Family Vacation 06 to Dubuque Iowa

A great Iowa Classic the Fenelon Place elevator. It' the shortest, steepest cable car in the world and what a great ride for only a dollar!!

The Beautiful Mississippi...... with one of it's prized riverboats.

A grand painted lady of Dubuque.

The Fenelon Street Cable Car

Soon the School Bus will Show Up

This picture was from last year. It's hard to believe that I'll have 2 in school and 2 in college this year. Where does the time go??? The summer has literally flown by. We haven't even gone swimming at the local pool. We've had a lot of rain... Oh well the state fair is coming and that's always a great finale summer event!!