3 Years Old!!

On Adrian's actual B-day (Sat. Oct. 22nd) we planned a day with her friends at the Orchard. Claire, Tessa, & Gracin were all able to make it for the fun day. The girls had a great time and the weather was gorgeous on Sat.

It was very difficult to get four 3 yr old little girls to sit together and smile together. Didn't workout too well!

Corn Pool

Below is a video from last month at Orchard Grove of Adrian playing in the corn!

Center Grove Orchard 2011

This past weekend we went to Center Grove Orchard near Cambridge Iowa, which is North of Ankeny about 10 miles. Adrian went to this place last year with her friends from daycare. We thought we would check it out since Adrian is inviting her daycare friends there this year for her b-day. We had a great time and will be back this weekend purchasing season passes! Between the corn pool, jumping pillow, corn maze, picking apples from the orchard, picking pumpkins, hayride...there is so much to do!

Mommy and Adrian in the giant corn pool, very dusty but a good time!

I don't care what she does as long as she doesn't shove corn kernels up her nose :)

The giant jumping pillow...this was a blast for Adrian and mommy. This was her favorite, she was taking about jumping on it even the next day!

The farm also had animals to feed...goats, ducks, pigs, etc.

I love these 3 little pig homes :)

Family pic from Labor Day Weekend at the tractor show. It was a cool muddy day, not the best for being outside walking around.

Doesn't that parking lot look fun? Just a muddy mess!

All Sorts of Fun!

Last week Adrian's Babysitter was closed for the week so we got in all sorts of activities. Grandma Harden watched her Mon & Tues (Thanks so much!) and Mommy took Wed-Fri. off to get in some good quality time. Sorry for the not so great pics...it is difficult getting a good pic of an active 2 year old with a crummy camera (that darn flash!)

1st snow cone at the park

Adrian's Fort of cushions & sheet
Adrian hiding out

Adrian sleeping in...normally she is up at 6:30 so I can get her dropped off by 7:15 and make it Downtown Des Moines by 8am.

Adrian riding her tricycle sportin her new sneakers.

Iowa State Fair!

Children's Petting Zoo (I can't remember what we are feeding here)

An Alpacha staying cool by the fan. This year was perfect weather for the fair...low to mid 80s.

Adrian loves snakes, so we took her into the snake building at the fair...she is not shy at all. At the end of the tour there were huge boas you can get your picture taken with. She was throwing a fit because she wanted to touch it!

Miniature Bull...pretty darn cute!

Biggest Bull

We stumbled upon this in the art building...giant sand sculpture!

Butterfly garden...Adrian was more afraid in here then she was with the snakes!

Blank Park Zoo...the red panda was out and about.

Adrian decided she wanted to wash her house on Sunday so we got it

all shinny clean.

Look at those sneakers move!!

This past weekend was the Polk City Festival. I ran the 5k race at 7:30 am then Adrian got her turn at 8:30. This was her 2nd kids run and improved greatly from her Clive run last month, she ran some not hanging on to mommy's hand! We are on the left of the video, you will be able to see Adrian in the green shorts.



Well she got second to last but those little sneakers were movin!!! :) Good job sweetie!!!

Summer Fun

Below are some pics from over the last month...

We paid a visit to the Eichmeier Family and got to see the newest addition...little Boston.

Grimes Funtastic Days Parade!
Aunt Jamie & Mommy were more excited about getting candy then Adrian. She loves collecting things though so she like putting everything in her bag.

Clive Running Festival and Adrian's 1st race!

3 generations of runners

Tadpole Trot Start

Adrian wasn't quite sure what to do but with a little encouragement she was headed for the finish. She got a ribbon, juice box, & fruit snack at the finish!

Father's Day Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel...Daddy and Adrian with their new harmonicas.

Grandma & Grandpa Harden at the Ankeny Aquatic pool cooling off.

Dam-to-Dam 2011

Jamie and I partook in our 3rd year of Dam-to-Dam. This year wasn't rainy like last but we did have the humidity to deal with. Plus I am trying to make excuses for my time. And I can't blame the humidity because Jamie improved her time. So for the 12.44 miles I had a time of 1:44:06, pace of 8:23. Jamie with an improved time of 1:52:23, 9:03 pace.

So I do like running and enjoy competing be here are a few things that went through my mind during the 12.44 miles.

1. I want to walk (2 miles into the race)

2. Why did I sign-up

3. I wonder if I get a ride on that guys bike and he can drop me off farther up

4. Gross a snake

5. I want to walk

6. I can tell my family I injured myself so i can walk

7. I can pass this person....nope I can't

8. If you walk you better do in on a hill

That just gives you an idea of the mental challenge of long runs. Glad we did it....glad it's over :)

Pool...here we come!!

Adrian got her first taste of the swimming pool this year with a trip there last week. She is enjoying it more this year and is more adventurous. All went well we did have one fall and a scrapped knee but after some tears and serious limping she fought through it to go back into the water.

Our favorite spot is the Ankeny pool since it is so close and cheap, Adrian and I can go for $5....can't beat that. We are hoping to utilize it alot this year.