Flooding

Yes, I am getting behind on my posts. It goes with the crazy fun time of year - summer! I will try to do better. We will get the chance to spend a great time with family this coming holiday weekend, and there will be even more pictures I'm sure. My mom sent me a picture of some of the damage done by all the flooding we've had in Nebraska lately. I will get to see some of the aftermath firsthand this weekend. We haven't been back home to my parent's since April, so looking forward to the trip! Below is the paved county road that leads to my parent's acreage. The picture looks deceiving, but the water is actually deep. The water rushed over the road so hard and fast that it actually broke the road, dropping it down maybe 8-10 feet! (No one knows yet as there is still water in there.)

Astonishing road damage

You'll also notice a car that is barely sticking out of the water. Oops!

Photo courtesy of my mom

Happy Father's Day

To all of the men in my life (specifically - Husband, Dad, Dad-in-law, brother, uncles):

Have a wonderful, relaxing, out of this world, (stormy!), loving Father's Day!! Hope you are pampered and showered with blessings today and always. We love you and all your hard work every day. Thank you all for being so wonderful to all of the "women" in your lives. You deserve a great day even if the mowing still doesn't get done because of the never-ceasing rain!

I love you guys!!

Diapers anyone?

Attention: Diaper purchasers!

Discover diapers.com today. I found this web site that allows you the convenience and savings of buying diapers online. The prices are pretty comparable to the stores; and, yes, I have done lots of research on diaper prices around town. We love using Pampers Swaddlers as they are super soft and gentle on our baby's bum. They are currently running a sale on them AND offer half sizes. Size 2-3 is perfect for E right now.

For those of you who are coupon clippers, they offer manufacturer coupons on their web site as well sometimes. I have not tried this yet, but you can even send in your clipped coupons. Diapers.com will credit your account for the amount of the coupon to use before the expiration date. We are Sam's Club members; Sam's unfortunately does not accept coupons, which is the only grudge I have against shopping there. Diapers.com even has free 2-day shipping on orders over $49!

This site not only sells diapers. They have everything for baby! Use my referral code JRAA7827 and get $10 off your first order.

I am expecting my first 2 boxes of diapers tomorrow! Happy shopping. =)

P.S. BTW, they were even tax-free in my state.

E's Portraits

Here are some 4-month pictures of our princess taken today at JCPenney. (They e-mail them to you for free now and even give permission to upload to Facebook, etc.) E loved the photographer and even laughed at her. I thought they turned out well!!

Last Day of School!

The last day of school is finally here and (about) over. Summer officially starts for a couple people in our house... I can't believe I have a FIFTH grader now! Next year at this time we'll be getting ready for MIDDLE school. Yikes!! Makes me feel old. Tomorrow I have the privilege of being off work and home with my baby E and Big A. We plan to visit my hubs on his last day of work for the school year and bum around town doing a couple errands. Hoping for a happy baby as E has 4-month portraits scheduled. Baby's last day at our sitter's was today! Yes, our temporary sitter is done with E and is leaving for vacation tomorrow. Next week Daddy gets her full time until the second week of August! The little girls will be together at the same daycare center at that time.

Happy summer break to all!!!

Okoboji 2010

My family had been discussing family vacation possibilities since earlier in the year. Our time frame was limited with everyone's schedules, so a more "last minute" option was a more natural choice. My side of the family keeps growing and it is getting harder and harder to plan time together. Earlier in May, my sister-in-law found a place available over this holiday weekend at West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa. So, my parents reserved a 3-bedroom lake house that was perfect for our whole family at Fillenwarth Beach. I would highly recommend staying there!

At 5:00 p.m. Friday I (and my husband) rushed home from work, rounded up kids, threw our stuff together, strategically packed the van (no, we didn't stay 3 weeks, just 3 days) and were on the road by 6:30 p.m. Whew! Packing for 3 kids, including a baby and yourself plus food for 3 meals for 13 people is no easy task!!!! I think packing for a baby alone is like packing half the house.

Four hours later, we arrived and were met by gorgeous weather along with Dad, Mom, my two brothers and sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece and brother's girlfriend. We were exhausted just from the planning and packing for our "relaxing" family vaca. It has been a learning experience for the hubs and me. We have already discussed the organization errors, things we would change and smarter options for any future vacations. =) You live and learn, right?! Don't get me wrong - we had a wonderful time! The kids loved their time away as well, and I'm sure they will talk about it for months. Just wish we could have stayed another day or two! Sunday was pretty cool and cloudy, but Saturday was hot and sunny - perfect for a day on the water.

Two different routes got us there and back in the same amount of time. On the drive back home yesterday we needed stop for a potty break. Being in the middle of Iowa on a 2-lane road, our options were limited with towns too small to even have a gas station. Little A was not too keen on the idea of pottying in the grass as she replied with a giggle, "We don't potty in the grass!" Finally we came upon Pisgah, Iowa. If you're like me and have never heard of this town, I will brief you all. Near the end of town, we found a convenience shop that came in the form of a bar/grocer/filling stating. With the antique pumps and "local checks only" sign adhered to the pump, I wasn't too sure they even accepted credit cards. With Little A in tow, I asked for a restroom and was directed to the back of the bar where we found doors for "Bucks" and "Does." Every local's head turned in our direction as we searched for the restroom, and the townsfolk had this awkward southern drawl. Weird considering we were in central Iowa... Complete with a blue sink that fascinated my 2-year old, the restroom actually exceeded my expectations having a flushable toilet.

P.S. In case you're wondering, my husband asked if they accepted Discover Card; and the woman replied, "As long as it's Visa or Mastercard." No further comments were exchanged as he pulled $40 cash from his wallet.

A was less than cooperative for some of the pictures as you will notice...

Jess's Family:

Me, E, A, A, Hubs, Mom, "Little" Bro, Dad, Bro-in-law, Sister, Bro, Niece & Sis-in-law

E ready for the day dressed in her "Fun at the Beach" attire

Swimming with Daddy!

A&A at the pool

We had the pleasure of doing a Million Dollar Home tour, sans children, aboard a speed boat on the choppy, windy lake - what a wild ride!

This is one house on the tour: the largest house in the state of Iowa, 17,000 square feet, worth $10 million

We returned from the tour to this scene. Papa babysat the girls for a hour and got them to nap - don't they all look suspiciously drugged?!?

Photo taken off of our dock Sunday at dusk shortly after the clouds had cleared

Before departing, Nana got this photo of the Raasch Five

(it was about nap time for a couple of us)