The River

You know, a dream is like a river

...except this one. This one is called Skunk River. 

But really it is beautiful. We discovered this part of the river when we went to explore one of the parks here in Ames. We've now discovered two different ways to get there, one with about a 1/4 "hike" and one with a 1+ mile walk/bike ride. Both are fantastic and its fun to end up somewhere we can wade and play in the water while catching all sorts of wild life. 

And really, even though its called Skunk River, it doesn't stink any more than any other river.

 After searching in the water for a while we began to find fresh water clams! They were super cool and we collected quite a few before we decided to put them back because it was time to head home.

We also found tadpoles! I don't know that I've seen some this big before. They were super cool.

We also caught crawdads and baby fish with our hands!

*Disclaimer, the dragonfly on Tony's finger was mostly dead when he found it. That's how he got it to hang out on his finger, but he thought it would be a cool picture ;)


On a side note: This past couple of days we've had our good friends the Bryner's come and stay with us as they are passing through on their way to move to North Carolina! Jay got into PA school there and we are super excited for the whole family! Except we wish they would have gotten in somewhere right by us...:)

For my Mom :)

One of the other things that we did when Sierra was here is went to my ultrasound! It was super fun that Sierra got to go with me (and thanks Tony for hanging out with the kids so she could :)).  We got to see lots of the baby! They said that usually they do an ultrasound for about an hour (really? An hour? Theres only so much black and white baby blob I can handle), but mine only went a little over 1/2 hour. So once again here's some pictures of the cutest little baby blob you've ever seen!! 

Look at that yawnin' baby :)

And yes, we found out what we are having. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't shocked...I was. I was so certain it was a girl, but I'm always wrong. I should have known. :)

I have the ultra sound picture to prove it, but really, what 6 month old fetus wants their parts posted all over the internet? That's just indecent ;). You'll just have to take my word for it.

So watch out world, another boy Bundy is coming in October, and we couldn't be happier! We do make ridiculously cute boys ;)

Sierra in Iowa

When we left Utah it wasn't as sad as usual because we kidnapped Sierra and brought her home with us! I'm kind of bummed I didn't get more pictures of her and the stuff we did. She was here for a week and I'm only going to have one post to show for it :/. Oh, well. 

Some of the stuff we did with Sierra-

Ledges National Park- We caught a baby turtle, crawdads, and baby fish.

Big Creek lake-We swam with real nasty seaweed and such :)

Gelato- (Pictured below) 

Catching fireflies-Sierras first time even seeing them!! (and other things like snakes, pic below)

Iowa science museum-(Pictured below)

A hike through Munn Woods- the scary kind, where people get killed in the movies ;)

And lots of late nights with movies! 

Iowa science museum

 pulling up tires

A giant pin thingy...You know what I'm talking about (left top corner-Sierra, Right top-Tony, left middle-Liam, Right middle-Emma, Left bottomish-something Fox did)

Fox's didn't work out so we had him do it at the bottom afterwords

 Blowing giant bubbles. Or at least trying to. 

 Being weather men/women

 Making rockets

Trying to protect the eggs. See the conveyor belt thing in the background? That's where it'd fall from. 

 Sierra's has a parachute. Her egg didn't make it. :) 

We built this

 and then knocked it down

Thanks for visiting Sierra. We miss you already. Really, we do. Come back soon :)

Liam's baptism

July 6th we were lucky enough to be in Utah for Liam's baptism. It was an awesome day! Tony baptized and confirmed Liam and lots of family got to be there. It was also pretty cool because my parents bishop (Bishop Cabe Atkinson) was also one of my leaders while I was in young women's, so I felt right at home. 

I cried alot. I knew I was going to. I tear up at other kids'

baptisms, while the parents sit there smiling and dried eyed. I just think it's so cool. And Bishop Atkinson surprised the mom's by asking them to bare their testimonies. So then I cried more.

But I'm super excited Liam decided to make the decision to be baptized. He's such a good kid, and a good example for his siblings and those around him. 

The Monday (July 8th) after we headed home to Iowa. We were sad to leave, but excited to get back to real life (kind of). Fox keeps asking if we can go to Grandma's house to show her: his cut on his ear, his stuffed animal, his picture he colored. 

We miss it there, but will be back next year. :)

Thanks for letting us visit, Utah!

Swimming party

While in Utah Ashley threw a swim party! She rented a blow up slide from a neighbor and then we all went swimming at her sister, Jenny's house! It was a blast!

Random Picture while in Utah #2

Car ride home from the zoo

Scary Mexi-Tony

Emma's birthday loot. Sad this is all the pictures I got...but we did have a party for her.

The way Sierra dresses Fox

What we make Sierra wear so she doesn't hurt herself

After "free lunch" at Central school. Yes, I totally took advantage of it, even though I don't live there. :)

Fox's bruised foot where a table fell on it

The pregnant lady's tan. No I don't have flipflops on. Yes my feet are the most tan part of my body.

I crafted. :)