Neighborhood BBQ time...

Yesterday evening, after we got home from Grampy and Mi-Mi's house by Mark Twain Lake, we headed across to the street, where a few of our new neighbors were getting together. It was nice to meet those we hadn't gotten a chance to meet and put some names with the faces we've been seeing around...

Two of the three kiddos got a nap in on the way home and they were ready to BBQ it up....

Out on our driveway peeking across to the street to see everyone that was gathering....

Ty ready to roll...

Miss Tay-Tay hanging out...LOVE her Popeye face! She's always workin' away on that tooth of hers....

Meeting a few of the kids that live down the street....

All smiles...

What a nice get together and a fun way to spend our Sunday evening and cap off a great weekend!!! We are looking forward to meet those who couldn't make it....

And, after all that neighborhood fun, guess what Trey chose to write about in his journal last night?

Take a look for yourself.....

He definitely enjoyed his weekend....

Thursday Night Fun...

Real quick, before I get on with the rest....LOOK at the newest addition to the sign out in the front yard....

SOLD!  Woo-Hoo!!

On with the fun....

I've mentioned before how much we love our neighbors here in Ottumwa. Living here really wouldn't have been as much fun without Sarah & Marshall. Not only do our kids absolutely love them and will miss them tremendously when we leave, but they are super helpful as well. They've kept an eye on the kids many a times and Marshall is, without a doubt, the most tech savvy person I know...right up there with my bro, Zac, but he's too stinkin' far away :( Marshall has saved my computer more times than I can count...what will we do when we move?? I don't know the first thing about computers and all the ins and outs!! Ugh!!!

Marshall also heads this Iowa High Altitude Balloon project...one that I'm not going to even begin to try to explain. I'll attach links below you can use to educate yourself without me butchering all the tech terminology. In layman's terms, he launches balloons up into near space and capture pictures...I mean we're talking in the 17-20 miles up into the air!!!

http://www.ihabproject.com/iHAB-1/iHAB-1%20Flyer.pdf

http://ottumwacourier.com/local/x87451749/High-altitude-snapshots-Helium-balloon-floats-17-miles-high-and-takes-pictures-of-Earth

Anyway...Tonight marked another launch event...and we were all on board to see the action first hand.....

Eating a little BBQ before the launch...the kids love hanging out over on Sarah & Marshall's side porch...that's our yard in the background. You can really see just how close we are!! My kids seriously think this is their second home!!!

Marshall and Sarah's dad filling up the first balloon.....

 

Trey & Ty watching and taking it all in...and asking twenty questions, OF COURSE!!!

Filling up the third...

All five balloons....ready to go!!!

Ty waiting and all excited for the balloon release!!!

There they go...Marshall tracks the landing spot, so he knows where the balloons are at all times!!

So....how cool is that?!?!