Pics from the Summer

This is called a giant wasp and was burrowing in our window wells. The picture doesn't do it justice to how big it was.

Ava playing with her water ball that she got from Uncle Jon and Aunt Jess.

Ava playing in her house she got for her birthday.

Daddy and Ava hanging out on the couch.

Mom and Ava eating a funnel cake at the Farmers Market in Downtown Cedar Rapids.

Ava with a big CHEESE!!

Ava sweeping in her cowboy boots.

I know, two posts in one day, crazy. These are some pics from the summer that we thought we would share.

Hofer's at the Lake

Our Front Door

Grandma, Ava, & Sam swinging away.

Ava giving Uncle Brett some good pushes.

Jay, Nick, & Sam chill'in on the Pantoon.

Koressa, Ava, Sam, & Jonah Tubing.

We had a great time at Jay & Keri's cabin with the whole Hofer clan there. A huge thank you goes out to the Weems for letting us invade their cabin for the weekend. We did a lot of wakeboarding, tubing, boating, and just hanging out and having a relaxing weekend. We even got to see Grandma and Grandpa M for a quick meal. I suppose a little explanation needs given for the front door, well here it is. To make a long story short, Ava lost our house key and we were locked out. The only way in was to kick down the door, so with one fluid, swift, and powerful kick I kicked it in. It was pretty amazing, ask Sam.

4th of July Weekend

We had a great 4th with both sides of the family doing a lot of boating and fishing. Ava loves boats but for some reason was trying to bail in the picture above. Grandma H. got her a swimming pool that we set up in the back yard that she had fun getting everyone wet in. Ava also made a new friend, Carly, which I believe would be Ava's 2nd cousin once removed. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. We will try to get better at this blogging thing and actually post things once in awhile so that b-real doesn't get his panies in a bunch.

Weekend with Daddy

Ava and Daddy spent the weekend together playing. She played with the hose in the backyard, they went for a mile long walk. Ava even walked on her own most of the way, but dad did end up having to carry her for while at the end. As you can see they had a pretty relaxing weekend together. She even got to grill out with the guys while the girls were at the party.

My friend Jaime came back to town from Minneapolis for Courtney's Bachelorette party. It was a fun weekend of catching up with my girlfriends. We all had a good time together in Iowa City on Saturday. We are so happy for Courtney and can't wait for the wedding.

On Sunday Nick gave Ava her first driving lesson...she had to have her driving hat on.

Landscaping

Here is the planter I built in the corner of the front of the house. Still not quite done as you can see. But I like to think it turned out pretty good. My landscaping skills are not totally lost.

This is the back yard. The picture doesn't show all of it but it doesn't matter anyway because we haven't decided what plants put in it. On the other side of the stairs behind the garage is just bark right now. Once again trying to decide on plants.

This is the side of the house and all we did was remove the rotting wood edging and replaced it with brick edging. We planted some plants and are waiting to put the rest in until we find what we want.

We had to order five yards of mulch to get it delivered to our house and we ended up using it all.

Water Shortage Swimming Pool

Ma and Pa Hofer were able to find their way through the flood to Marion for Fathers Day. We had a fun and relaxing time together. For the first time that I can remember I beat my dad in HORSE, twice. They both enjoyed the time they got to spend with Ava and as you can see Ava loved her new swimming pool.

Water Water Everywhere

Here is a before and after picture of Cedar Rapids. For a couple days there was only one way to get through Cedar Rapids. The water went beyond the 500 year flood plain. We are safe here in Marion away from the smell and destruction. However we are going without showers due to the mandatory ordinace to conserve water, so maybe not far from the smell.