Highlandville trip

We went on a trip to a big cabin in Highlandville, IA just north of Decorah.  The whole Ossman crew was there!  We visited the fish hatchery and fed the trout, did some trout fishing, waded in the frigid streams, took a 1/2 day trip to Seed Savers, and meandered back home via a small cave site and a large dairy.

Posing with Mom at the hatchery trail.

Feeding some excited fish.

All of us on the cabin balcony.  Just under the balcony is the fire pit where Daddy and Julianne made some amazing Tonka Toaster creations - a favorite was the cherry, dark chocolate, marshmallow combo.

Trout fishing.  

Cold feet!

Hats at Seed Savers.

I bet Nora has some cold toes!

Mommy showing off her baby-bump.

Alena and Grandpa Ed at "Ice Cave" in Decorah.  A hot day, no ice.

A cute milk-maid.

Animals love Alena.

Critters

Catching critters is a major pastime for the Jensen girls, especially Alena.  Here are a few we've caught this spring/summer.

Monarch butterfly release!

Farm chicken.

Caterpillar at Camp Wapsie spring campout.

Frog and turtle at Camp Wapsie.

Carnivorous water beetle at Camp Wapsie.  It would hang upside down and shoot towards the minnows swimming the bucket.  Alena won a prize for most unique creature!

Wading in the muck at an Indian Creek Nature Center site.

Alena put this frog to sleep at the pond.

Nora found the smallest woolly bear we've ever seen at the pond.

Crawfish at the Indian Creek pond.

....another frog.

Jumping high!

Nora catches some big air at the Air FX trampoline park.  That little girl likes to jump, she was made for this!

Hi-ya!

Summer fun - baby bunnies, flying, and camping!

Grandpa Ed came across a bunny nest and of course, Alena, being the very curious animal lover that she is, had to hold them all.  Tiny and pink.




Alena, Nora and cousin Alice got to fly and be tossed around by Daddy.  Luckily there weren't any injuries (except possibly Daddy's back).

Slip 'n' Slide action!




Grandma Dee reads two girls before the go to bed during a camping trip in July at Marr Park.


All snuggled up together!


Pose for the camera!


Nora shows off Puppy's new outfit.  A neighboring camper brought a month-old kitten with them from Missouri and Alena got to babysit the kitten for a short bit while they ran an errand.  It was heaven for her, even though the kitten climbed all over her and did a little bit of nibbling.

Summer movies

The movie theater on Collins Road has a huge free kids summer movie program and hundreds of kids go every day.  We try to hit a couple of them during the summer months.  The kids always talk Dad into some tasty snacks.

Lucky Charms

The Ceramics Center's Resident Artists made about a hundred bowls for the Cereal Saturday fundraiser at New Bo.  All you can eat cereal and a visit from Lucky!  

Alena and Nora show off their balloons and face paint.  A cheetah, of course.

Chalk the walk

The Pennimans came to visit and the cousins got busy chalking the back patio, complete with a song......something about "every brick counts".

Nora turns 4!

Nora decorates her birthday cake with sprinkles.  Pink and purple, of course! 

Daddy built this teeter-totter for Nora for her birthday.  She's testing it out with bigger (and heavier) sister.  Nora needs a hand from Daddy to get all the way down.

Playing "chase" at the party

Easter

Easter at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The troops are ready for battle!  Alena and Nora are sporting the dresses we got them on our trip to Puerta Vallarta.

 Even after a hard-fought Easter Egg hunt, sisters can still hug it out.

Jones, what a good cat.

The look on his face.....enough said.  But what a good sport!