As one drives to my parents house, the telltale sign that you are near is the windmills seen for miles on either side of the highway. We're talking windmill upon windmill upon windmill. And each time we have traveled to and fro over the last year, we have promised our kids that "sometime" we'll go off the beaten path to get close to these monstrous energy producing modern marvels. So, this time we did. We went chasing windmills!! 
Not only did we go off the beaten path, otherwise known as I-35, onto a small county highway, we actually then turned off onto a gravel road which led us to a dirt (MUD) access road to the wind turbines. And since I drive a 4x4, we proceeded with no fear!
We were literally able to sit at the bottom of one of these turbines and experience the sounds and sights of the blades spinning right above our heads. 
Here's hoping that men in black trucks with tinted windows don't come after us following this confession of close encounters of the turbine kind.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Our Family version of Man of La Mancha
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sharky's Aquarium - a thumbs up from this family
Over Spring Break - we based out of Northern Iowa and made day trips. One trip included a couple hour drive up to Minneapolis for a day at The Mall of America where we started with a walk through the aquarium. Wow.....We like it. We even splurged and did the back stage pass and feel it was worth every penny. The kids actually learned a little and did lots of ohhhing and aawwwwing. There were smiles all the way around - which makes it a success in my mind.
Please enjoy these samples from our hours at Sharky's aquarium.
Our teenager and her man - from 20000 Leagues Under the Sea - A cool display!
The kids in front of the gators - SO COOL!
Think this fish was a favorite - a sawfish
Of course our kids affiliate all sea creatures to "Finding Nemo" - so here we have Mr. Ray.
Their new searhorse displays were amazing. We got to see tiny to big, to expecting sea horses. All varieties too....
Here are my very own Pirates of the Aquarium.
The touch pool had a variety of slimy and squishy creatures to touch.
The sharks and turtles were fun to follow around. We got to see them do a little shark feeding and the turtles actually seemed to have personalities. So fun!
We started with fresh water creatures and really enjoyed the land turtles - these guys were the most active.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Oh Mr. Spam Man...Bring me some Spam....
Yes - that was really the song we heard when visiting here...
And this is really what was written on every parking spot....
And this cute little smiling face awaited us when we walked through the doors...meet Spammy!
Oh - and this amazing wall hung over our heads - the close up shows what it was made of!
And each computer was equipped with a special mouse - note the yolk in the egg is a track ball (ie - mouse)
Games to entice the whole family and a spam ticker to boot. Who could have asked for a better vacation spot!
Do you SEE how many cans of Spam have been made??? That's SPAMAZING!
Oh - and every kid ate some Spam too - although that probably has no redeeming factor!
So much fun - we strongly suggest this stop in Austin MN if ever you travel even remotely near. It's well worth the trip and great for the WHOLE family!
Did I mention it's FREE!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A piece of my past
Here is a picture of, what I grew up knowing as, the Red Barn. 
This red barn was located on my grandparents farm, where I spent many a summer as a young child. Gpa would pay us to walk beans and cut thistles. Anyone else have to suffer through the child labor of walking beans or cutting thistles. That's right - with bean hooks and sharpened shovels?? Oh the horror!!! Anyway - this barn, as well as many other eye sores were part of my childhood. As we drove up and down the rolling hills of the road they lived on, we could spot the red barn many hills away. You could also see it from "the bottom", otherwise known as the lower fields down by the river bottom. The corncrib, the red barn, the big building, the chicken shed ~ they were all part of the memories of spending summers and oh so many other weekends on the farm.
These buidling are gone or being torn down, but luckily my dad has a few of the boards from the red barn. He's moved them and hauled them and transported them from house to house, but has the pieces of what remains of my childhood memory, known as the red barn.
I recently decided I wanted a coat shelf by the back door - so I asked Dad if I could have a couple of boards with which to create a shelf as it was designed in my head. He just happened to have a couple of boards that would work great for what I was thinking. And now - thanks to the handywork of my techy, but sometimes handy hubby ~ I have this shelf hanging in my kitchen. 
I can't tell you the warm fuzzies I get just looking at the shelf knowing that those boards are the same boards that composed the barn in which we climbed and played. The barn we walked through to see the pigs or cattle - depending on which decade we are talking. The same barn that we hid contraband in as adolescents who had nothing better to do than torment road signs and mailboxes on gravel roads at night. The same barn that housed the cats and kittens which could entertain me for hours. The same barn, that sat beside the grassy area in which we carefully and lovingly burried many pets and critters that came in and out of our lives on the farm. The same barn that was there when my dad was a kid.
Needless to say - if we ever move - this shelf will go with. But - that's not all. To top off the very beautiful shelf, which pieces together my present and past, there is another beautiful piece that sits below it!
As we entered into last winter, I scoured catalog after catalog to find the perfect storage bench for this same space. One that the kids could sit on or store book bags on and would house the many hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves that come with three active children. Not a single one was just right for the space, so I asked my dad to build one. And not only did he build the perfect bench, my mom pulled off a staining/painting miracle and got it barn board red. Exactly as I requested. So - check it out!
This - this makes me happy. Items that are not bought from a store, but rather created for a purpose with a past to pass along with them. **happy sigh**
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Pictures and opinions
Been Playing more with picnik. Here are tonight's creations.
This picture was more or less ruined. Our camera had gone bad and we did a whole photo shoot at the park - where I got some AMAZING poses - and all the pictures were horribly overexposed or something. This is the best I could do, but at least it's not a total loss
This one is just one of those photos that makes my mommy heart warm.
And yes, I'm glad you asked...I do have a third child. But you try to get a teenage girl in front of the camera. Still looking for some of her to play with on picnik. I'll see what I can dig up.
On a completely separate note - I am trying to decide if I like this whole - if you promote my blog I'll promote yours idea that seems to be raging about with blogs. Kinda wondering if the whole blog frog thing is a bunch of bull frogishness. If I understand it right, you have to link to someones blog and then have traffic use your link before you appear on their blog frog?? Come on people. If you like a blog - give it a shout out!!
Like this one for example....
http://www.flipflopsandapplesauce.com/
I love this blog. She has great ideas, is quick to share, and has a couple of beautiful little girls.
And this one is one I like to visit for ideas to use in my Stampin' Up business.
http://robinlea.blogspot.com/
Not only does she have cute stuff - I LOVE the glitter balls, but she also has a whole list of more Stampin' Up blogs in her side bar. How convenient is that.
Then there are people out there that are SO selfless like this family
http://www.thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com/
They just lost Gracie and are spending their time after losing her pumping an up and coming music benefit for a very talented musician who is awaiting a heart transplant. If you visit their site, you'll hear some of his music. It defines peace and relaxation to me. I hope to get a cd or two in the coming weeks and also hope that he gets his new heart!
Kelly is also one of those selfless ones
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/
Seems she is always asking us in blog land to pray for someone. And I have to say I like her blog cuz Harper is just too cute and has the cutest head dresses.
Changing gears again - I have stepped outside my box of comfort. I joined a group of ladies that play Bunco. Well, in asking some questions before the big night, I was told that bunco is like "A bunch of clucking hens pecking around the bread pan". I must say that it was some of the best fun I have had in a long time. If you are invited to play, or are looking for something to do with your lady friends - may I recommend Bunco!?!?! So fun!
Well - that pretty much wraps things up. Take lots of pictures - write down your memories - listen to a good song - cherish every moment you have with your kids and family and share your wealth (be it knowledge, a caring heart, the ability to cook a warm meal or a high traffic blog) without expecting anything in return!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I just love picnik.com
And although I am doing a lot of the same editing, it is just so easy and so fun! I do use it for other touch ups on eyes and teeth and skin - but the color popping is just more fun to show off!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Scrapping Pages - with Cricut
I love my Cricut. And although I do not have the Expressions, I do like the good ol' Cricut and how it has changed the way I scrap. I don't think you'll hear me say once that I miss the days of sticker titles. And it is even coming in handy for the occassional school or other project!
Just thought I'd share my favorite pages of recent, done with cricut lettering.
