Secret Mission Complete!!!

Yes, SuperFans, we did it. After 4,387 miles and nearly 3 1/2 weeks later we can say we have successfully completed our mission. Now it is time for you debriefing. Proceed only if you are able.

Our mission took us through the awe inspiring Rocky Mountains beginning in Denver, Colorado. We then experienced the beautiful red rock around Moab, Utah on our way to the eternal desert of southern Arizona. We enjoyed the hospitality and fun of SuperMom's family in Tucson. Monkey enjoyed saying, 'look, a cactus!' every few seconds.

After nearly a week in the 'dry heat' of Arizona we headed northward to the land known as Utah. SuperDad got his fix talking cars with Uncle Junior and going out on the 'desert' to find cool rocks. We then ventured even further north to visit the rest of the family in Happy Valley and Valley of the Salt Lake. The SuperKids were once again overloaded by meeting a large number of grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Some for the very first time.

NOTE: For all the family and especially friends that are reading this blog and saying. "Why didn't you visit me/us?!" we apologize. Our time and energy was limited. Plus, were alot of you to visit!

After about three weeks the SuperKids began to grow homesick for Iowagners HQ. We endured the drive homeward through the less than exciting portions of Wyoming and Nebraska before entering the beautiful, rolling farmlands of Iowa. As much as we enjoyed visiting with all of our family (and a few friends), Dorothy Gale said it the best, "there's no place like home!".

Now for the pictures, in no particular order:




Monkey's Long Lost Twin?



Kids in a Box



Kids on a Rock (Hey that rhymes!)



A Buried Bear (result of a small car and alot of stuff)



Bear's Little Bear Breakfast



Monkey testing out a new Wagnermobile



Real Men Ride Pink

SuperDad's Man-Boy Pal Scottie

A Trapped Bear

Bear's Relaxed Sleeping Position

A True Redneck Ride

Monkey and Grandpa Claus (or Daddy's Daddy as Monkey calls him)

Monkey's Version of Skee-Ball

Bear's Newly Graduated Girlfriend

Bear Showing Approval for the B-Day Cupcakes

Auntie Brienne Showing Monkey How to Rock-Out!

Monkey Snuggling Up to Brienne's Man, Baby Bunny

Gramma Charla Showing the SuperKids how to Tickle the Ivories

Bear Excited About Riding in Grandma Beki's Truck

BridgerMan: Man of a 1,000 Faces

Attacking With a Feather Duster

Monkey Climbing the Same Tree SuperDad did as a Kid

It's Just Her Size!

Super Duper Great Grandma J

Dog or Horse?

Bear and His Birthday Buddy, Uncle Dan

Monkey Pretending to be a Race Car

Underbed Storage: Great for storing extra kids!


Time...to...rest...

SECRET MISSION UPDATE

Greetings SuperFans,

Just a quick update from the road. We have completed our first phase in the scorching desert of the American southwest and will now be heading northward to the mountainlands. So far, so good!

Stay tuned for further updates...



Testing out a new escape vehicle

Another possibility. Yes, I fit!

Your Mom Looks Like...

Greetings family, friends, fiends and fans. I'm sorry if you missed us the past few weeks, but at least it wasn't a full month this time! :)

With this being Mother's Day I thought it would be important to give some appreciation to SuperMom and all she does. Because, without her there would be no Iowagners. Besides keeping the world safe from evil, she also does a swell job at keeping HQ in order and helping the SuperKids hone their special powers. Monkey has been perfecting her keen intellect lately. Her best quote has been, "Dad, your Mom looks like my Grandma!". Very profound indeed.

One of the main reasons we have not been active in the blogging arena lately is springtime. We have been taking advantage of the superb weather and sprucing up the grounds of HQ. This has involved transplanting a countless number of plants with odd names like, 'hydrangea' and 'hosta'. Fresh air and sunshine are wonderful!

Another reason for the delay was graduation. SuperDad's students that he has been instructing for nearly two years have reached the pinnacle of learning and graduated this past Thursday. This was a great relief for the family. No more 12-14 hour workdays...at least until next semester!

Without further ado, here are some pictures to accompany our (mis) adventures. Enjoy!

First Ice Cream Cone of Spring. How Sweet it Is!

Monkey's First Pony Ride

Grabbing the Bull by the Horns

Monkey Doing Likewise

What is That Bright, Shiny Thing in the Sky?!

SuperDad in Full Garb of Academia

Parting Shot of SuperMom...Lots o' Love!

Note: The Iowagners will be 'off the air' for a few weeks as we complete a top secret mission. Details to follow...

Easter Egg-citement!

Greetings and Salutations from Iowagner HQ. We are truly thrilled to have you with us today. If you find this blog to be to your liking, please help boost SuperDad's ego by leaving a comment. Thank you!

Wow, how time flies when your having fun! Consequently, the opposite is true as well - fun flies when your doing time. :) Three weeks to catch up on, I hope I have the energy to complete this mission. Do not fear, SuperDad is up to the task!



Monkey and Bear Singing a Duet. Watch Out Branson!



Iowa's Version of New York City's Naked Cowboy

March left us like a lamb with fairly agreeable weather. Had Spring finally sprung. But alas, last Sunday changed our minds. Patience SuperDad, ...patience. We have kept ourselves busy by attending a Home & Garden Show at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and got some snazzy ideas for sprucing up the secret landing pad (a.k.a. - the backyard). SuperMom has been doing an awesomely radical job in holding down HQ whilst SuperDad has been putting in extra hours trying to finish up the semester. Do you know what the three best things about teaching are? June, July, and August!



Easter Egg Hunt #1 'How Much Did You Get?!"

Last Sunday (Blah!)

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon - Aftermath of Too Many Toys

This weekend was of course Easter. One of SuperMom's favorite holidays. The SuperKids woke up to a small treat this morning. We, the Iowagners, do not believe that Easter should be another Christmas. No new bicycles, iPods, or computers. We like to keep it simple. We had a small Easter egg hunt in the backyard that was enjoyed by everyone. It being a windy day, we decided to venture to a nearby schoolyard and fly our Spongebob Squarepants kite (lovingly given to us by Mrs. Brienne many moons ago). It was a great way to end the weekend. I can already tell that this week's magic word is going to be: CANDY!

CANDY! says The Bear

Monkey's Easter Bunny Impersonation

Easter is About...Sharing

Kiteflying as a Team Sport. Iowagners, Unite!

Bear Helping the Kite Get Airborne.

Bear Taking His First Solo Flight


-Until next time SuperFans, this is SuperDad reminding you to stay out of trouble.

Spring Broken?!

Well...hello there my favorite SuperFan. I'm glad you have found time to peruse our humble little blog. We, The Iowagners, hope you enjoy our (almost) weekly report of our antics. Be sure to read until the end. There is a special surprise waiting for you!

Since SuperDad returned to educating the young minds of America on March 9th, he has little time to do much else. For those of you out there who think being an educator is easy work, think again. SuperDad has spent many a late night and early morning preparing for class. Thankfully, there are perks to the job, such as Spring Break. More on that in the next paragraph.

Spring Break was...well...a little broken weather wise. The week started out nice and then turned to cooler temps by mid-week. I guess I should'nt complain. At least it's not below O F degrees and/or snowing!

As for that 'perk' thing, SuperDad was able to have the past week off to get caught up on a few things. We were able to take care of a few things around the house, but we also took some time to enjoy a small vacation. Of course, everyone got pinched on St. Patrick's Day!

Dad, It's too Heavy!!!

Monkey Kissing the Blarney Stone

Bear Doing Likewise

One of SuperDad's bestest friends he has known since 8th grade recently returned from serving in Afghanistan. We will call him 'Soon-to-be Major B.M.' He and his SuperFamily were passing through our little spot of Heaven known as Iowa on their way to Illinois. Not only were they able to visit Iowagner HQ, but we were also able to meet up on the other side of the Mighty Mississippi in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Whilst in Nauvoo we were able to catch up on old times, current events and see some of the impressive historical sites. Those pioneers were a resourceful and tough bunch. We were even able to locate a monument to SuperDad's great, great, great (I hope that's enough!) grandfather. Monkey was able to make good friends with B.M.'s youngest son.

Monkey and Her New (Boy) Friend

The Bath Water...Straight From the Mississippi

The Whole Group

Bear and B.M.-Twins?

The Real Twins-Like Father/Like Son

Bear Trying to Look Pretty Like Big Sister

(don't worry, Monkey will get more pictures later)

SUPERHERO TIP #752

It's Better to Wear Your Underwear on the Inside.

Back in Action...

That's right SuperFans, SuperMom is back!!! I'm healing and back to the normal everyday stuff. Well, maybe that's not the greatest part. Nobody I know ever said, "What I'd really like to do today is lots of laundry!" or "I'm so excited to go scrub those toilets!" As happy as I am to be able to play with my kids again, pony rides and the like, I'm not completely thrilled about the mundane everyday chores.
Other than fighting crime and saving the world from constant perils, the Iowagners have not been up to much lately. SuperDad had SuperTraining up in Minneapolis the last week of February. That's right SuperFans, even the Iowagners need a touch up on their oh-so-impressive skills.
We'd been aching for warm weather, so we had a picnic in our family room the following Sunday for lunch. Then, later in the week the weather finally warmed up and we were able to have another picnic on our porch and go for a walk together. It was nice to be outside and visit with neighbors again.
Friday I went to the dentist. Don't worry SuperFans, SuperMom has prevailed over cavities once more!! Monkey and SuperDad have appointments later this week and next. Schedule conflicts, what are you going to do? After my appointment the SuperKids and I went and surprised SuperDad at work and took him out to lunch at Burger King. SuperDad is going to be really busy the next couple of months and so we tried to get one last outing with him before things get really crazy. The kids loved it!
The weekend brought with it lots of rain and then sleet and a little of snow on Sunday. Yuck!!! It's still raining today and the SuperKids and I are really feeling a little bit of cabin fever.
Till next time SuperFans.

-SuperMom
(One more load of laundry to go!!)




Still my favorite picture from New Zealand. This is where the kids and I were around this time last year. I'll take that rainy, overcast day anytime!