W-I-O-Wa... the corniest station... in the nation!

Sorry about the title of this one. One of Ava's favorite Backyardigans episodes has the heros imaginary-playing newscasters for a station called "W-I-O-Wa". And they do a special report on corn. Good stuff.

We had a fabulous trip visiting our Iowa family this summer. In addition to the College World Series, we just spent a lot of time hanging out with our loved ones. It is so much fun to be there in the summer and relax on the lake or at our relatives' homes. Not only do Ryan's parents (Roger and Nancy) and brother (Keith, wife Jodi and kids Morgan and Mason) live there, but my sister (Jenny, husband Drew and kids Sam and Amelia) are in the same town, too! Three birds, one stone. Awesome. Here are some photos from our week there...

Ava's first time to help Daddy drive the pontoon!
Ava at Uncle Keith and Aunt Jodi's playing with Taco and a new kitten.

Kittens are funny!

Ava's cousin Mason doesn't mind being used for physical labor. :)

CQT (Cousin Quality Time). Sam, Ava and Amelia.

Yes, Ava is wearing Nana Jo's glasses. And yes, she is "writing" her name. If you click on the photo, you can see some of her writing samples.

Heading back to the canal after an afternoon on Lake Manawa.

Sam Guill, Sydney Thien and Ava Jones! Their daddies all went to high school together. Crazy.

Ready for action on the sandbar.

Um, Amelia REALLY likes ketchup. Like, A LOT.

Ava and Nana Jo surveying the canal.