Beeds Lake State Park

Beeds Lake State Park

This past weekend we went camping with our friends, The Ness's, at Beeds Lake State Park in Hampton, IA.  We have only been to a few of Iowa's state parks, and so far, this one was our favorite.  There was a hiking trail that went around the lake, a lodge where you could rent canoes/kayaks and buy ice cream sandwiches, and a beautiful dam.  (I took a few more pictures on instagram if you want to see pics of the dam). 

Easter Egg Hunt

Like I mentioned before, I just took some pictures off of my camera that have been on there for a few months.  On the Saturday before Easter, we decided to take Alex to an Egg Hunt in Grimes, IA, right next door to Johnston, IA.  What's Easter without an Egg Hunt?

Easter Egg Hunt, Grimes, IA

Ledges State Park

After one of Alex's soccer games a few weeks back, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and head to Ledges State Park.  We haven't really been impressed with Iowa since moving here.  The landscape doesn't vary too much and we just feel like there isn't as much to do compared to some of the other places we have lived.  So we are trying to venture out and find more things to do here.  This is one park that actually has some nice scenery and good hiking.  We will definitely be heading back if it ever stops raining.

Ledges State Park

1st Grade Soccer

I haven't posted in quite a bit and am just taking a bunch of pictures off my camera.  Below I have posted some pictures of Alex at soccer.  She has done soccer camps before, but this is the first time she has been on a soccer team.  She says she really likes it, especially because a friend in class is also in soccer.  That helps!

1st Grade Spring Soccer

Iowa State Capital Tour

 OK, so I have finally gotten around to all those pictures on my camera!

A few months ago, when my parents came to visit, we took a tour of the Iowa State Capital.  It was pretty interesting, thought Alex may have been a little bored.

Iowa State Capital

World Food Festival

Last weekend, we heard there was a World Food Festival going on in the west village of downtown Des Moines.  We decided to check it out, because we seem to always complain that there isn't as much going on here as there is in Atlanta and the twin cities.  Apparently this food festival has grown over the years and is now very large.  Keith and I tried a pupusa from an El Salvadoran restaurant.  It was our first time trying this and it was so delicious!  I am going to have to try and find an recipe online and try to make it myself.  We also tried food from an Ethiopian place which was OK, but we have had better Ethiopian food elsewhere.  Alex wouldn't give any of it a try, but she did enjoy the ice cream and making some crafts!

Blank Park Zoo

Alex and I went to Blank Park Zoo a few weeks ago.  I am student teaching at a school in Des Moines, and they had a family day at the zoo that we were able to go to.  The last time we were at this zoo was last November when we came here for Keith's interview.  This time was a little better because they had more animals to look at.  The Australian animals were our favorite part because the animals were not enclosed and we could see them up close.  Alex was so excited to see the wallaby's and emus roaming around with no fence keeping us from seeing them up close. 

Iowa State Fair

We decided to check out the Iowa State Fair yesterday because we heard it was such a great fair.  Unfortunately, we were a little disappointed.  The Minnesota State Fair, we believe, is much better!  I really missed the all you can drink milk to go along with the chocolate chip cookies they have at the Minnesota State Fair.  We walked through the different barns and enjoyed seeing the animals, but were disappointed we didn't see more fried foods on a stick.  We did see deep friend twinkies, oreos, and candy bars, but that was about it.  The most excited part was a visit from vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.  We had no idea he would be there until we noticed a large group of people huddled around a stage with a lot of television cameras.  We watched him walk in but didn't stay around to listen to him because there were too many people and we couldn't hear what he was saying anyway.  As we were leaving we saw him again and tried to get a few more pictures but again, there were too many people and security not letting us get too close.  Check out the pictures on my facebook page.

Terrace Hill

A few days ago my parents came to visit and we decided to tour the governors mansion, also known as Terrace Hill.  We got to tour the first two floors of the mansion, as the third floor is currently occupied by the governor and his family.  The home was beautiful and the tour was really informative.  This was really the first time I have done much sight seeing here and will have to get out more and find out what there is to do in this town.

Click here for pictures:

Terrace Hill

Swimming

This summer, Alex has been swimming a lot!  She has learned to swim on her own and open her eyes under water-- she is not afraid to do it in a lake or pool.  Yesterday she swam on her own in the deep end.  She has always been scared of water before.  When we lived in Dominica and Miami she was terrified of the waves and the ocean.  She must be over that fear now because she wants to go swimming everyday!  Here she is at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines, IA.  She loves this beach!

Jester Park, Iowa

On one of Keith's days off we decided to check out a nearby park, north of Des Moines, called Jester Park.  It is near Saylorville Lake, which is a big lake run by the US Army Corp of Engineers.  The park and Saylorville Lake has lots of camping areas, equestrian, hiking, bike paths, etc.  We are just getting used to the area and are checking out different areas every so often.  We really like the Saylorville Lake area because it isn't too far from where we live and there is a great bike path that runs from downtown Des Moines to the north side of Saylorville Lake.

Check out a few pictures:

Jester Park, Iowa

Alex's new school

We drove by Alex's new elementary school today.  It is just about the nicest elementary school I have ever seen and Alex was very excited!  She wishes she could start school tomorrow.

The name of the school she will be going to is Horizon Elementary.  It looks like it is somewhat a new school.

We found three different gardens. A vegetable, butterfly, and not sure what the third garden is, maybe a memorial garden.  This one is a vegetable garden.

Alex starts school in mid August and will get done in May.  I am excited for her to start and to meet new friends.  I know she will love her new school.

Cedar Rapids, IA

I know this pic (and the pics from the previous post) were taken before Thanksgiving, but I am just getting around to updating the blog.  The week before Thanksgiving we rented a car and drove up to the midwest for Thanksgiving and 5 interviews.  The first interview Keith had was in Cedar Rapids, IA.  Really, I didn't like the town so much.  There didn't seem to be a whole lot to do for kids.  But I did find a mall with a little play area in it.  Alex seemed to have fun!  After Cedar Rapids, we headed to Des Moines, IA which I liked a lot better!

Blank Park Zoo- Des Moines, Iowa

On our way to Minnesota we made a few stops. We spent on day in Cedar Rapids for an interview and another day in Des Moines for an interview. We really liked Des Moines. The city reminded us a little of Minneapolis with the skyway system connecting the downtown buildings. While Keith was at his interview we decided to check out the Blank Park Zoo.  Here is Alex next to a couple of sleepy lions!