Graduation and Vacation

Since this is our first try at posting pictures, we hope it works! We all had a grand time as we filled the car with our luggage and went off to celebrate Sarah's graduation and then take a little time off for a vacation!
The pictures below show Sarah walking in to the center. Chris an Skyler joined her afterwards for a family "photo."
The next group is of the cabin that we rented in Sevierville, Tennessee where ALL of us (yes, Grandma and Grandpa, too) enjoyed the Great Smokey Mountains. The picture of Grandma and Grandpa outdoors was taken the day we took a motor tour of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We took a drive up the tallest point found in the eastern US and toured the Visitors Center.
The last picture is that of Grandma and Aunt Verna. On our way home, we stopped so that Mom could have lunch with her sister.
All in all the trip was wonderful and enjoyed by all. I can't tell you how thrilled we all were that Grandma and Grandpa could be part of it, too!
We've got other pictures to post, too--more of this trip and then, some of Dad's visit with Sharon Kathy, and Vickie, this summer. We'll try to do that later this week.
Have a good week and our love to all!

I say we had a great time! What do you

think?

Cyclones & Cycles

As summer vacation draws to a close, we'll recap some of the excitement at the Helds. We kicked off with Brady making it to the State Track meet in the 4X100 relay. He's #10.

As Laurie reported, his Little League team won the tournmament and he was thrilled to make the 9 year old All Star Team which did well in district playoffs. He and his buddies formed an AAU baseball team this year called the Indianola Lightning and it was great fun to watch this group of talented boys play together. Mom, you would've loved it.

Both kids did swim lessons and Kenzie finished her final level and will tell you she is done forever. Brady has one more level to go next year. Brady hit every sports camp imaginable while Kenzie "relaxed."

July brought on storms and two tornados to our fair town. Mackenzie rode out the storm at a neighbor's while Mom & Brady spent 90 minutes in the locker room at Simpson with the men's basketball team. (Brady used the time to schmooze and was asked to be their ball boy this season. I have no idea where he learned how to do this.) Laurie was in her basement. Meanwhile, Eric watched it pass by from our drive way. This picture is from our drive with Laurie's old apartment in the foreground.

The end of July was the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) and Leslie's initiation into this cult-ish community of 10,000 riders making their way across the state. Simpson had a team for the second year which grew to 60. Always part of the planning, I was coerced to be one of two support staff for the first half of this year's ride. It involved me swearing off make up and morning showers, living in a tent which I put up and took down daily (no instructions), driving a van of supplies and loading & unloading a moving truck of gear twice a day with my boss. I discovered just how much I can really lift and how much I can sweat. A real bathroom was heaven even when you share it with 50 people and, when you are desperate, a hose suffices for a shower. The week started at another small college in Sioux City which graciously allowed us to camp on their softball fields. Unfortunately, they lied when they told us that the sprinklers were off and we started our week with a 2:30 am pelting by their sprinklers (which they couldn't figure out how to turn off for the 60 minute duration). Note the first head up was directly under the president's tent. Second up, the chairman of the board. Luckily, they kept their sense of humor ... and we kept our jobs.


The county fair & balloon festival is over. We'll wrap up the weekend at the state fair. School starts next Wednesday as Brady will be in 5th and big man on campus and Kenzie tries her hand at Middle School for 6th grade. Supplies are bought, fees are paid & new outfits are in the closet ready for Day 1.

Hope your summers were equally lively!

Vacation...

At the hotel.... can't wait for the vacation to start in Pigeon Forge! Onward and Upward!!! =o))))