We had a great weekend in Dubuque. Unfortunately, Ben and Breezie weren't able to join us. They decided to head for Iowa City because of the flooding conditions that were forecasted to close roads between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. We missed them, but were glad that they made it safely to Iowa City.

We went to the Great American River Festival on Saturday. It was a great day to be outside, aside from a little rain. We watched the dock dogs. When mom told me about the dock dogs, and how she thought we'd like to see them, I thought she was talking about a musical group. The dock dogs are actually dogs. Dogs that jump off of a staged dock into a pool of water. It was quite entertaining. We talked about whether we could get Sugar to dock jump. She's a strong girl, and she can jump like nobody's business - she often skips the deck stairs entirely. BUT - she's not so sure about the swimming thing. She loves to dig in the mud at the edge of the river, but hasn't fully taken to swimming. Most of the dog handlers were throwing toys or balls for the dogs to jump in after. I think if we threw a beef stick we'd be able to get Sugar to jump. At least once!!!

We also got to see motor cycle or dirt bike jumping. That was quite a site. We didn't get to see them land from where we were, but it was still spectacular. The girls also had fun in the inflatables and enjoyed cotton candy AND snow cones!

Then we walked to the winery and did their wine tasting. Elliott and Olivia enjoyed their juice boxes at the winery. Elliott was impatient to ride the elevator that we passed on the way into the building. After we were done, she got her elevator ride and we headed out to walk along the river for a bit. It was interesting the see the barge that had struck the bridge.

Now Chris and I are back home and kidless for the week! Mom asked if we had big plans. If cleaning the living room carpet and doing some painting qualify as big plans, then yes we do!

AND Happy Father's Day to all of the dad's in our lives. With the flooding frenzy, we did not get cards send out, but that doesn't mean that we weren't thinking of you. You're all very important in our lives!!!

Our first strawberries from our strawberry patch - aren't they pretty?


Elliott having a blast in the bounce house at America's Great River Festival.


Olivia coming down the big inflatable slide.

Elliott coming down the big inflatable slide. Notice the shadow of the person at the top behind her waiting to come down. Any guesses about who that might be? Let's just say that I hadn't planned on joining in the fun!

Real men carry pink.

Little girl pouting on the rocks.

Me and my mom and dad :)

Olivia and Grandma - who, by the way according to Olivia is "not a bad grandma, she's my bad grandma". It wasn't meant to come out that way, but it sure stuck!!! The girls have really been looking forward to spending the week with Grandma Katie and Papa Al.


River girl with her hair blowing in the breeze. She's growing up on me!


Little river girl.

The Waller house continues to be high and dry in Janesville (KNOCK ON WOOD)!! Things are moderately getting back to normal. We are still on water restriction - but man are we lucky to have water, AND electricity. And MAN are we fortunate in a multitude of ways.

Chris is back to work today. It sounds as though most of the main ways into Cedar Falls are open. They are up to 2 ways into east Waterloo now, so that's an improvement.

We spent the night watching the television coverage of what's going on in Cedar Rapids and thinking of Ben and Breezie, and Angie and Ken. I can't believe what's happening there.

I've been busy at work helping with the tetanus clinic that we are offering to the public. It's good to feel that I'm able to help in some way. Besides, our internet and email is down still, so I'm limited on the work-work I could do - even if it was possible to concentrate.

They are predicting the Cedar River will crest again on Saturday night. People are discouraged and tired, and I can't imagine knowing that it's not over.

We are planning to go to Dubuque this weekend. A pre-arranged trip to drop the girls off for their week of frolicking with Grandma and Papa. It sounds as though we should be good to travel, although I have not had time to pack and wasn't all that sure we would be able to go. I'm hoping that Mom will let us bring our laundry with - kind of makes me feel like I'm in college again!

Keep the people of Iowa in your thoughts and prayers. I can't just say the people of Waverly, or Janesville, or Cedar Rapids. It seems that the natural disasters abound here. I think they said on the news last night that 51 of the 99 counties in Iowa have been declared disaster areas.

The golf course is obvious in this picture - the hospital campus is right next to the golf course. The water came almost to our parking lot.

Waverly Flooding

If you do not live in Iowa, I would not suggest moving here.
Or even visiting here at the present time.
It's a mess.
We're all okay. Olivia and Elliott are with Grandma Diane and Papa Roger in Cedar Falls. We took them last night because their babysitter was planning to go to Parkersburg to help with tornado clean-up today. Now there's really no way to get them back, and I am truly relieved that they are there. Today was a long day at work. The water came up almost to our parking lot at the hospital. I will post pictures when I am able. We lost internet and phone at work today.
Thankfully, we're high and dry in Janesville. The river should crest here tonight. We're just praying for no more rain - especially in Southern Minnesota.
I'm not sure where Chris is right now. The last I spoke to him, he was in Cedar Falls, and did not think that they would be able to get out of town. We're really hoping that the water doesn't go over the levee in Cedar Falls, but it sounds as though it's imminent.
Crazy stuff. I think I can speak for all of us when I say UNCLE - We've had enough!