The Fourth of July, The Day After, and Revenge of Meniere's

July 4th was our one year anniversary knowing our good friends and neighbors, the White's. We met last year at a neighborhood block party. So, this year we decided to spend almost the entire day together. We started out by having them join us at a picnic breakfast with our church. There was lots of yummy food and it was in the part so there was also plenty of time to socialize and let the kids run around and play.

Bear with his Honorary Auntie, Mrs. White.

Monkey and friend test driving the Cool Ride.

Next we went home and some of us took quick naps, myself included, and then we went to the local pool for a swim. I think it was one of the first times since our honeymoon that SuperDad was seen in public in a swimsuit. I'm not quite sure what he is so insecure about; I'm the one with stretch marks from mid-thigh to my armpits. We all had a really good time. The kids really enjoyed playing in the water and going down a little slide.

After swimming we all came back to HQ for a traditional 4th of July BBQ. We had hot dogs, baked beans, chips, corn on the cob (of course), and potato salad. Please keep in mind that I'm supposed to be on a low sodium diet and pretty much everything we ate is on my "no, no" list. I figured that it was a holiday and you're only young once. Right? Wrong!









The White's!!! Happy Friend-a-versary!!

The next day the SuperFamily went to Adventureland. It was not in the plans for this year, but one of our good friends had tickets for this weekend and they weren't able to go, so they let us use their tickets instead. For those of you that have ever lived in Utah, Adventureland is basically Lagoon, but they don't nickel and dime you once you are inside.





We all had a really good time. We tend to forget that the SuperKids are really tall, and we were surprised to find out that they are tall enough for most of the rides. The kids really enjoyed the Ferris Wheel, the Carousel, and the train ride. Adventureland even have a circus performance three times a day. The kids were really amazed by a lady doing a trapeze act and a man that got shot out of a cannon.

By the time we left it was dinner time and SuperDad had spotted a Taco Bell across the street from Adventureland. We all had headaches from a little too much sun, but the food tasted really good. It's the first Taco Bell we've had in Iowa. We don't live anywhere near one.

I'm not quite sure if it was the hot dogs from the night before, all the sun, or Taco Bell, but I was not feeling well later that night. My headache got worse and my ears started ringing and I knew what was going to happen. That's right SuperFans, I vomited for the first time in seven years! I hate throwing up. I wouldn't even let myself when I had morning sickness.

Don't worry, the only traces of that episode that are left is a little dizziness and a slight ringing in the ears. Sunday all I had to eat most of the day was juice, water, and my unsalted saltines (which, I might add, are just wrong). Today, at lunch, I downed half a watermelon, a natural diuretic, and I am feeling much better. Hopefully, I've learned my lesson and will eat more carefully so I can go another seven years without another episode, or more!

Butt seriously, The End!

Iowagners HQ

HQ-during one of our remodeling projects. SuperDad took out the fake ceiling beams from the family room and painted.

This post is for those of you who have been asking to see our Headquarters. Please take in mind that this is still a work in progress and probably will be for years to come. There's so much we want to do, but as you all know if you have the time you don't have the money. If you have the money you don't have the time. We are having a hard time trying to focus on just one room at a time. There's always something that needs to be done and the SuperKids tend to break our concentration; not to mention all that crime fighting. So, without further ado, here is our beloved HQ.

Happy Belated One Year Anniversary, HQ!!!

The boudoir. Sadly, the only thing we've done is put in new curtains. We finally bought new sheets for our bed. The first ones since we got married!

Monkey's room. Monkey with her new "big bed" and desk. I painted in her room, but that is about it.

Bear's room. Painted in here too.

The living room. We have yet to paint anything on this level. In this room we took out the "stripper poles" as we liked to call them. They were floor-to-ceiling "decorative" beams by the front door. The curtains I put in awhile ago. We are just barely getting to this room. I just got the throw pillows and hung up the pictures. The trunk on the back wall I somehow inherited. It was my great great great uncle's. At least I think I put enough greats in there. He and his wife brought it over from Denmark when they migrated to the States. I love it. It used to be in my grandparents home and it reminds me of them every day.

The kitchen. For most people this would be the highlight of their house. For those of you who know me, you know I don't cook. Although, I am trying to do it more. All we did in here was take out the cabinets over the bar. We weren't using them and the kitchen looks a lot bigger without them.

The "dining room". I know, only old people have a china hutch. It just so happens that I had some china that I wanted to display. Our first adult-sized table and we have to cover it to protect it from the SuperKids.

The family room. SuperDad did a wonderful job painting and fixing the paneling. We also put in new curtains. Just so you know, I really can hang pictures straight. Bear has figured out that if he crawls on top of the back cushions on the couch that he can reach the pictures. Naughty little Bear.

The fireplace. We love the fireplace and someday we hope to use it more often. We are going to build floor to ceiling bookcases on either side of it. For now the benches will do, I just need some fabric to re-cover them.

The man cave, aka the office. The never ending work in progress. We painted and have yet to install the window coverings or hang pictures. SuperDad has had an office once before and it could never stay clean. We seem to be running into that problem again. He spends a lot of time in here working and I have my little craft/sewing corner in the closet of the room. Yes, I am a closet crafter/sewer. It's our little secret.

Just so you know, there is a secret basement level that has orange and green floral paneling that I won't burn your retinas with. We have plans for a TV/game room down there. Also a laundry/storage room. It's all in the Ten Year Master Plan.

Well, Bionic Momma B get to it and send me some decorating advice. I told you I need some help. Anybody else with color scheme or decorating ideas please feel free to critique and/or suggest your ideas. Don't worry I won't get offended. I am a first timer at this.

-Love, SuperMom

WEEKLY UPDATE: Dearborn, Downtown Des Moines, and Other Daring Deeds

Greetings SuperFans. I hope you are ready for another exciting episode in the neverending saga of the Iowagners. Remember: the Captain has illuminated the seatbelt sign for your safety! The week started out by having SuperDad fly to Dearborn, Michigan. There he was a judge for the Ford/AAA Auto Skills Contest held on the lawn of Ford World Headquarters. It is a competition where the top two high school automotive students from each state work to repair as many problems (bugs) on a vehicle in a 1 1/2 hour time frame. The bugs may be as simple as a burned out light bulb to a faulty electronic component. Our Iowa team placed 10th. SuperDad judged Arizona, who came in 24th place. SuperDad even brought some stuff home for Monkey and Bear to play with.

Don't Worry, He'll Grow Into It

The Latest in Safety Fashion by Ford

On Saturday we decided to head into Downtown DesMo (Des Moines) and partake in the nation's largest outdoor arts festival. There was some very impressive artwork, sculpture and photography on display. Just don't mention Port-O-Potties to SuperMom!

SuperDad n' SuperKids Incognito

Cool Sculpture and Tallest Building in Iowa

After the festival we decided to revisit the Birdland/Union Park area where the Des Moines River breached the levee and flooded the neighborhood (see previous posting). Other than the sandbags, it is hard to tell anything major happened here.

Levee and Park Revisited

The Playscape Makes a Return

Until our next daring adventure...We are the IOWAGNERS!!!

The Many Disguises of Monkey

Lately, one of our SuperKids has been dabbling in Disguise Design. She is quite artistic and came up with these ones all by herself. Soon she will have a Secret Identity for every occasion. Enjoy!!

Attention all Pirate ShoppeRRRRrrrrrrrs!!

An Off-Duty Fairy Princess in her slippers.

Using her mighty power of regression. . .She has magically changed herself back into a baby.

NEWS FLASH! The Great Floods of '08

Saving the world one sand bag at a time. SuperDad has been lending his super strength to help the efforts to protect down town Capital City (a.k.a. Des Moines). He even braved a tetanus shot for the cause. Don't pass this along SuperFans, but shots are kind of our Kryptonite. Proving once again that we will brave all to save our fellow Iowans.

Even though SuperDad put tons of work and bulging muscles into building up the levees, he was no match for Mother Nature. The levee breached and the neighborhood flooded. I guess that is where we have met our match. She is one tough Mother. . .(Shut your mouth!)

P.S. For those of you who are wondering, Iowagners' Headquarters survived the storms and floods. Must be the sturdy 1970's architecture.

Yes, Man Can Move a Mountain (of Sandbags)

The Birdland Levee and Former Park

Anybody Want to Swim to the Playscape?!

A House We Tried to Save. Purchased Just the Week Before :(

Backyard River at Iowagners' HQ

Garage Sales, Tornadoes (almost) and Other Celebrations

It has come time once again to regale you with tales from the Iowagners. Last night around 10:00 PM we were startled by the sound of a tornado siren. It being the the busiest tornado season ever recorded (over 500 in the month of May) in the USA, we decided to take it seriously. The news reports were all warning to be prepared to move to a safe area. We were about to move the SuperKids into the secret lair (a.k.a.-the basement). Then the siren stopped. We were spared any major destruction. Instead, we 'only' received 3.64 inches of rain overnight and a spectacular thunder and lightning show. Flooding occured in many areas of the Great State of the Iowa. On a lighter note we were able to commence withs the garage sale a planned...and order was restored to the world once again.

A Superhero Never Reveals His (or Her) True Age!

The Superkids Ignite the Candles with Their Laser Vision!

Putting Another Year Out of It's Misery

Since superheroes are ageless and infinite, we only had a 'birthday-like celebration' for SuperDad. In the process we solved a world conflict by uniting the German (Chocolate Cake) and French (Vanilla Ice Cream) in commemoration of another year past. Stay tuned for more harrowing episodes in the coming year!

Wow! My First Blog Post Ever (with pictures!)

As SuperMom stated previously, we have decided to succumb to peer pressure and join the modern age by starting a family blog. The main purpose of this blog is to keep those that are near and dear to our hearts, but not our home informed of the happenings in our universe.

Here goes the first update...are you ready!? After having 75% of the family in the far-off land of New Zealand for nearly three months, Dad was overjoyed to rejoin his beloved family. We regrouped for two weeks of 'holiday' (NZ term for vacation). We were able to partake in the magnificent beauty of the South Island. We spent the first week visiting family in Christchurch. The latter half we completed a 700-mile family road trip. Some cities we visited with exotic, unpronouncable names included: Kaikoura, Kekerengu, and Punakaiki. Our favorite place was the seaside town of Nelson (no, not the hair band from the 80's). Dad especially enjoyed driving on the wrong (left) side of the road and from the passenger side of the vehicle through the mountainous, windy roads. Mom became a little car sick. A quick sidenote on gas prices. After paying over $7 per gallon for gas we have nothing to complain about in the U.S.

Dad n' Kiddies in Kaikoura

Is It Dead?! (no, just sleeping)

One of our 'cabins' and stylish rental wagon

Cool sign from a jewelry maker in Nelson

Monkey mobbed by Japanese tourists

Digging around for shells at Sumner Beach

Trying to get the perfect picture: Takes 1 and 2

Take...I give up!

The kiddies loved the beaches and searching for seashells. You may ask why the kids are in long pants and jackets in this tropical paradise. Well, it is Fall/Winter in New Zealand now which means the temp can range from around freezing in the morning to only 50-60 degrees during the day. All in all it was a great experience, especially with my loved ones. We even survived the nearly 9,000 mile, 24+ hour journey back to our homebase in the 'Land of Corn'.

The End...

Until next time space cadets...