Iowa Barnstormers

These past few weeks have been very busy in our household so what better way to end a hectic week than by going to an Iowa Barnstormers game. And not just any Barnstormers game but one where they honored Kurt Warner! Daddy tells me he some big time football player but I couldn't see very well because we were sitting up top in a private suite! The suites may be higher up but we had extra big seats, yummy food, and a great big party going on. Daddy work rented out a suite for some of their employees. They were even nice enough to invite their families which meant me and Mommy got to go too! I loved it. We found a couple of seats in the front row and for the first time ever I had enough meat on my bones to almost hold the seat down all by myself. So I sat in my seat ate some crackers, clapped my hands, and danced with the loud music. Mommy says we stayed out past my bedtime so I made sure to be on my best behavior so we wouldn't have to leave early.

Me and Mommy standing in the suite!

I guess that is Kurt Warner and his wife.

They had a big half time presentation where they inducted Warner into the Barnstormers hall of fame.

He was giving a speech so Mommy was testing out her new zoom lens :)

That is a pretty good shot considering how far away we actually were. I am glad my Daddy and I bought Mommy a new lens for Mothers Day.

This is so fun!

I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.... must be an Iowa thing huh

Go Barnstormers!

I would have to agree with Mommy that yes I look pretty grown up sitting in that big chair all by myself.

Its true, we love the zoo

Annual family picture at the MN Zoo!

I realized that we have been so busy lately that blogging has sort of taken a backseat. I need to be more on top of it because we have done so many neat things that I don't want to get behind. The same weekend we went up and played with Cousin Parker we also went to the zoo. Auntie Jill and Cousin Parker had to get home so we missed them but maybe we can meet them there another time because I love the zoo. Mommy and Daddy were able to convince Grandma and Grandpa to come with. I am sure glad because that meant I got the best seat in the house, right on top of Grandpa's shoulders! We had a blast like usual at the zoo. I have to tell you a funny story about my silly mom. We were at the tiger exhibit and she was trying to point out a tiger that was sleeping over in the corner but I put my eyebrows down at her and if I would have had the right words I would have told her instead of just giving her a funny look but there was a tiger right in front of us sleeping. I don't think she could see it so I made sure to point it out. We also were able to con Grandpa out of a few quarters so I could feed the animals at the petting zoo. I was a little particular though and they had to eat around my schedule. If they tried to grab the food out of my hand before I was ready to give it up I would pull my hand away and go find a different goat to feed. Those zookeepers need to teach those goats some patience I think. They didn't have the giraffe's this year but thats ok because they are at the Blank Park Zoo instead. My mommy took some great pictures, check them out!

Mommy says she just loves that smile!

Hey, come back here. I wasn't done with you yet.

Wait for it... wait for it... I was trying to teach him a trick.

The bear was hanging out right by the window. We got a great photo op!

See Mommy the tiger is right there.

State Track

We had the chance to watch Dustin qualify for state so what better way to end the season by watching him run at Drake stadium! Andrew and I had never been there before so it was a new and exciting experience for us too! Algona had a lot of boys and girls qualify this year.

Giving a high five to one of the other teams before they run. Good sportsmanship.

They are almost ready to start the race. Dustin ran the 3rd leg of the 4 X 100.

Mommy has her zoom lens on which is why this is such a close-up. We are ready to watch the race.

Dustin's teammate David is running in the black speed suit with the big letter A on it.


A better shot of David running the second leg of their relay.


Yikes, trying to shoot through people is not always easy. I really wanted to get a picture of Dustin taking off so sorry for the head and arm in the way :)


The exchange-the hardest part of the relay making sure you don't drop that baton.

Dustin has the baton and is taking off for the 3rd leg of the race. He is in the black in the middle.

Here is how they finished in their heat. Congrats Dustin! What an accomplishment to finish 9th overall in the entire state for 3 A!

Uncle Dustin Track Part 2

So until I got to downloading my pictures I didn't quite realize how many I have. If I took this many of Dustin I am sure you can all just imagine how many I take of Brayden huh. Yes, its true I am addicted to pictures. Life goes by so quickly though so what better way to capture those moments that you can never live again. We are so proud of Dustin as he had a great senior track season. We were coming home for his graduation weekend anyways and he had conference track which just happened to be in a town we would be driving through. How convenient so Andrew got off work early and we headed to see him one more time. Andrew dropped Brayden and I off at the gate because there was no where to park and as I was walking to find a place to sit I saw Dustin standing, I mean warming up, right Dustin. We had just made it in time. Great timing! Here are some pictures of Dustin's meet at Humboldt.

Posing with Oma and Papa.


Dustin was running the 3rd leg in the 4 by 100.

I just wanted one quick picture of Daddy and Brayden but Brayden showed us that with his hood up he couldn't see what was going on at the finish line.


It was a beautiful night for a track meet. Can you guess what time it is? Brayden's bedtime!

Congrats Algona boys, district champs! They qualified lots of runners to state!

Dustin's 4 x 100 team that qualified for state!

Proud Mom and Dad!

Track Season

This Spring we have had the opportunity to follow Andrew's brother Dustin in his senior year of track. We have been very lucky to be able to attend 5 meets this season. We are so proud of his accomplishments in track this year. Going to his meets has been a learning experience for me as I have never been able to use my camera to try to capture someone so fast. Brayden is definitely getting faster but he got some work to do to keep up with Dustin.

We traveled up to Ames to see a preseason meet. Mom got a couple pictures of Dustin running the 100.

Seriously mom no more pictures ok!

We went on a roadtrip with Oma and Papa to one of Uncle Dustin's meets too. We went up to Mankato.

Of course I will sit still and watch Uncle Dustin run because I am eating a snack!

Look Oma, right there, its Uncle Dustin.

So fast it's a little blurry!

Good form Uncle Dustin

Getting ready to run.

Team huddle

Well there are a lot of pictures so we are going to make this into 2 posts. You will have to check back for more pictures!