our summer, part 2

At the end of July we went up to Iowa for the Hougen extended family reunion. We took a leisurely trip up, stopping in Wichita to visit the peculiar and fun Museum of World Treasures, and then heading up to Middle o' Nowhere, Iowa, to visit friends.

Charlotte could easily have spent her whole vacation here, in a house that boasts a BABY and TWO little girls and about a million Polly Pocket dolls and seventeen pairs of tap shoes -- who could ask for anything more?

But we continued on to Decorah, where the Hougen reunion coincided with Nordic Fest -- Vikings! Parades! Rommegrot! There were about a hundred family members at the reunion. Here 98 of them take pictures of the other two:


We live so far away that our children don't really know their second (and third ...) cousins, but they enjoyed watching the parade together anyways:


We were very surprised when parade participants started passing out ice pops in addition to candy. And then came the people with ice cream, and then cookies, and then cheese sticks! Truly Iowa is a strange land.



People look funny there, too.


George had a great time talking to Viking Sam:

In fact, over the two days of Nordic Fest I think we spent about 3 hours talking to the (very patient) Viking. His weapons are accurate but blunt, and both kids enjoyed posing with them:


Charlotte waited patiently for just about ever to get her face painted. The result was charming:

George joined us towards the end of our wait and made himself an Evil Crown:


We also visited Vesterheim, the immigrant museum. Charlotte loved making lefse:



After the reunion was over, we went to Dean's parents' house for a few days. It was a nice, relaxing visit. We toured a lovely garden at Iowa State, with a fabulous butterfly house.


Here's George inspecting Grandpa's compost system:


And we had a great time riding the restored carousel in nearby Story City:




Charlotte rode about 17 times, and afterwards we all went swimming. It was a fun afternoon, and a fun trip.

Our return journey was very different from the trip out -- the whole thing in one day, no stops, no sightseeing. It was a long day, but the kids were pretty good and we weathered it all well enough. All in all, it was a great trip.

What we did this summer ....

Whaddya know -- another summer gone by without blogging! Since I spent most of the summer with most of the very few people who ever read this blog, you'd think that wouldn't be much of a problem. But I am getting some flack on the home front, so here goes. This may take a couple of posts.

JUNE

Summer started slow, with some time to do nothing much. George and Charlotte played long games involving drawing and action figures. Here's a drawing that is an adventure for Brother Bunny and Baby Lancelot:


The pictures get drawn bit by bit, as the adventure progresses.

There was some weaving, too:


George took art classes at the Firehouse Art Center again, and loved them (again). His favorite was clay class:



He made several projects, but this dolphin was his favorite.

JERSEY SHORE

At the end of June we went to the Jersey shore with the relatives on my side of the family. We rented a house large enough for the 15 of us and had a really nice week.

We had a lovely time at the water park:


and the kids really liked the boardwalk.




Charlotte loved this ride, which went higher the more you pedalled. I was not so thrilled (note closed eyes.)


George's favorite was Dante's Dungeon:

The boardwalk could be exhausting:


The kids had a wonderful time with their cousins:




But the best of all was always the beach: