Trip to the Apple Orchard

Wilson's Apple Orchard is close to Iowa City so on a beautiful fall day like today, you just have to pick up the kids from school and head out there. It doesn't hurt that it was doughnut day! They had delicious fresh pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts, hot coffee, and frozen apple cider slushies. After our snack we had the energy to walk out to the rows to pick some apples.

It was a wonderful year for apples in Iowa. We had lots of rain to start the spring and then it has been pretty dry which has made the trees just full of apples. The boys picked two baskets full, so it was a good thing Dad was there to carry them back to the car. They also had pumpkins and all sorts of fall squash. Fall is my favorite season and I love all the harvest veggies and fruits. I think an Apple Crisp is in our future. 

Cuboree 2013

 All day Saturday, Jered and Max went to the 2013 Iowa Cuboree at Kent State Park. This is a super fun day for all the parents and boys and they do all sorts of out door events. They kicked it off with a flag cermony. This  year they had engineers with science gear in to demonstrate different light and sound experiments. They even had a "monkey bridge" that the boys got to try to cross.

Everyone got a chance to do out door sports too, like fishing and practice shooting b-b-guns. They also did a navigation course with maps and compasses. 

The build this year was bridges with tooth picks and gum drops. Max's bridge held 55 lbs! They ended the night with a bonfire and ceremony. The Boy Scouts get to camp over night at the park, but the Cub Scouts head home to their beds. 

Riding the Train

Last weekend our family went to the Boone Valley Rail Road and spent a Day out with Thomas. Our youngest Riley LOVES Thomas the Train, and just trains in general. We had taken Max to this event when he was three and had a great time. It was a beautiful morning and we were the first ones to ride the train that day so we got great seats. We also saw many other types of trains including a huge steam train and lots of diesels. We even saw the train that pulled our wedding party for our wedding reception.

There were things to do while waiting to ride the train, like a hay maze and train tables to play with. There was also a bouncy house, video viewing rail car, and you could meet Sir Topumhat. Riley was in heaven. It was nice to get out and do something like this as a family. Jered has been super busy with school/work and I have been pulling tons of overtime at my job as it is the end of our year. I hope we can get back to doing more family time as the holidays approach. 

What the Dieter Family did this Summer - Adventureland

This year for summer vacation we decided to take the boys to Adventureland Park in Des Moines. It's not too far of a trip from Iowa City, about 2 hours in the car. This would be the first year that boys were big enough that they could to go on and enjoy the rides. Adventureland also has a great water park attraction so it's a really fun packed day of water slides and rides. Both Max and Riley (and their old parents, us) had a wonderful time. Since we went on a Monday the crowds were low and we didn't have to wait in line for rides most of the time. The only one that was pretty busy with lines was the Raging River, which I was just happy Riley was tall enough to go on!  As you can see we all got pretty soaked on that one.

Our plan for the park was that Max and Jered would go on the crazy rides and Riley and I would go on the little guy rides. Which, if you haven't been to Adventureland Park, there are a lot of great rides for the little guys. We also road a few rides as a family, and of course, we had to eat together, at every single chance. The water park was also super fun. I didn't take any pictures because I don't have a water proof case for my phone yet. 

The weather was beautiful and not too hot. The best thing is that we planned ahead what we were going to do and what the back up plan was if it rained or if it was super hot out. Having a plan makes the day a lot more fun for everyone. 

As for food, we did eat at the restaurants and kiosks at the park. They are a little pricey, but the Soda and Sounds restaurant has a live show with the meal, so it makes it worth the cost. Also the food was really good, so that helped too. You just need to be prepared that the bill is going to be a bit higher than normal.

Over all Adventureland was amazing for our first trip to an amusement park. It was just the right size for our boys ages and had tons of rides that they could go on. We learned what works for our family and what doesn't. When the time comes, and the boys are a little bit older, we will be ready for Disneyland. 

Roses are Red

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! My boys got me roses today and chocolate (which I shared of course). I had to take a picture of my two little loves today since it has been a while since I have taken a picture of them together. Riley has on the monster hat from Grandma Jo. (Thank you!!!) Max had a great day of celebrations with his class and everyone liked each other's valentines. Hope your day was nice and filled with love.

Ice Skating

Max and Riley have been asking to go skating for a while so I thought it would be a great thing to do for our advent activies. There is a rink that has public skate right at our local mall so it was easy to go and get some shopping done too. Riley did very well and his little skates were adorable! Max did well too, though he was sort of scared to let go of the railing. Both boys want to go again as soon as we have the time.

Our Christmas Tree

This year we went to Handley's Holiday Hillside in Solon for our Christmas Tree. We went there years ago to buy a tree when Jered and I were first married and really liked it. Today was cold but not snowy so it was a nice walk through the rows. The boys enjoyed picking out the tree and we all carried it back to tie it on the Jeep. We bought a Canadian Fir tree, it has nice small needles and strong branches for ornaments and lights. There is really nothing like the smell of a fresh cut pine tree. We have it all set up and tomorrow we will decorate it once it "relaxes". The house is really starting to feel festive now that the tree is up.