Mother's Day, 2011 Part One

This year marked my fifth Mother's Day...I can't believe time has gone by so quickly!  We spent almost the whole day together, enjoying a worship service and then spending the whole afternoon outdoors.  First, we started with a picnic at the Ottumwa Park followed by a good long time of harrassing...um, I mean feeding.... the ducks at the duck pond.

Time for a picnic!  Ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, apples and chocolate pudding packed from home.  We stopped at a gas station to change clothes and pick up something cold to drink.  The kids were super excited about the strawberry milk that Daddy let them pick out and the chips that Mama packed (which is a special treat for my kids).  The delicious meal started the afternoon off on a good foot, as is evident on Sarah Rose's face!



A big part of going to the Ottumwa Park was to feed the ducks.  But guess what I forgot to bring?  Yep...the bread.  So we snatched a peice off one of the sandwiches and once we were done eating....




...headed to the duckpond.




It wasn't long before the ducks and geese caught on that we had treats for them.  Another family was already feeding them a little ways away and had most of the attention, but we did manage to steal a good dozen away from them.  All the birds started in the water, but  Josh and Caleb were able to lure them up on land.  




And when the bread is gone, why not see if a stick branch works?  He quickly figured out that sticks+ducks=great fun! And where is Sarah during all this hullabaloo?




Begging to be picked up to be saved from the evil feathered monsters!



When we had admired the ducks and geese as much as we wanted, we gave Caleb permission to chase the two that were left.   And the birds actually let him for a while.  That is, until they remembered...



....they could fly to safety.  And that was the end of the duck feeding.



Time to head back to the park for more fun.  I love this picture AND the one of Caleb walking with Josh.  There is just something about a father and his children together that melts a mommy's heart!

Stay tuned for Mother's Day 2011 Part Two, featuring pictures of rural Iowa surfing and a good ol' fashioned squirrel chase!