Catsup bottle and chairs

World's largest catsup bottle.
Big blue chair and a very tiny step stool.


Dan looks like a giant in a normal size chair after seeing him in a big blue chair!

Cohokia Mounds

Woodhenge, circular sun calendar used to determine the changing seasons and ceremonial dates. Originally constructed in AD 1100-1200.Center pole of Woodhenge.Center pole.
Trying to hide.

Monk's Mound. It is estimated to contain 22 million cubic feet of earth, covers more than 14 acres, and rises to a height of 100 feet. It took 300 years to complete and was eventually named for the monks that lived near the mound from 1809-1813 and farmed the terraces of the large mound.
Looking down from the top of Monk's Mound.
The open area across the road was the Grand Plaza when the Cahokia lived here beginning in AD 700.
Resting half way up!

St. Louis Arch and Sheep

Cute sheep at the Botanical Gardens.
Getting ready to go back down the arch.
View from the top.
Supposedly you can fit 5 people in the tram but even with 4 it was a tight squeeze.
Me at the arch!

Botanical Gardens

The little bird in the path followed Dan around and even tried to attack him at one point.

A very lazy tree.
A clock made out of plants. Maybe a few other things, too.
The biggest lily pads I have ever seen.

More photos

Thank you Olivia for taking such wonderful pictures!

Photos by Olivia

Summer events

Waupaca 4th of July parade. The chicken on the tractor was back!

State park near Ames, IA. We visited the park before Midnight Madness, an evening road race that used to take place at midnight but now starts at 7pm.
Me at the baby shower. We'll have to get some more photos from other people since the only other photos we have are of food! I think Dan must have been hungry...

Waupaca Triathlon

Before...
During...

After.

Lake Mills Triathlon

We camped the night before the triathlon at Sandhill Station State Campground. It was very, very cool and rainy. Perfect sleeping weather!
Before the triathlon...
During...
After. Unfortunately, the weather didn't warm up much so the swim was a bit chilly and the water was very choppy. There was a thunderstorm while Dan was biking so he was soaking wet and so were his shoes during the run. Even though the weather wasn't ideal the weekend was still a lot of fun.