~~ODNEAL FAMILY BLOG~~Port of Readlyn, Iowa

We had Tyler's baseball tournament in Hudson and Dike earlier today and it was so windy we were all freezing. Yes, freezing from the wind being so fierce. It was kind of funny when a FEMA sign blew through. Had to be from New Hartford or Parkersburg I would think. Isn't it almost July for gosh sakes! Anyway Tyler played good. His team lost to Hudson and then beat Union at Dike. I had hoped for a bit more rain for the garden and got my wish after we got home today. Here is just a rainy picture out my door. Didn't bring camera to the game! Shame on me.

Yep just had to do a bit of bragging for Kyle. He got his ACT test scores back on Thursday and he was pumped as he got a 30. He was a little upset at me when I asked him if he was going to retake it to improve his score! I know I expect too much-I was hoping for that perfect score of 36 for that free college ride. Oh well I think this score should get him some much needed academic scholarships I hope for Iowa. Good job Kyle. Dad and I are very proud of you! Click on pictures to see up close.

Taylor was a candidate for Miss Fairbank Days and she got chosen last night Miss Congeniality! Congratulations Taylor and you looked beautiful!!

Picked these out of my strawberry garden last night. We put a wall around them to contain them this year from keeping on spreading out into the yard. I've been working at getting all the weeds and creeping charlie out of them. The strawberries were yummy, yummy!!!!!! Pictures are not real clear-sorry!

Controversial sometimes for sure but a very funny man that will be missed. Debated rather to put this on the other day but decided to do it anyway!

We took a boat ride down river on Saturday and saw this older boat over by the shore and at first we thought they were just waving. It turned into a frantic wave by the gal in the boat so we went to check it out and yes they were broke down. They said they couldn't believe how many people just flew by them. We've all been in that position one time or another so we always stop and see if we can help. They were throwing an anchor and pulling the boat up river when we came up to them. That would have taken them forever to get back! Needless to say they were very happy that we stopped and towed them in to the state dock.

Saturday we went with Helen and Louie in Jr's fishing boat and as you can see Louie caught a clam shell, and Kevin caught the only fish on that little excursion. We had a good time drifting with Quillin's and Beckers.

Yep our friend Kevin "netted" this fish at the river Saturday. Not sure why Bruce didn't feel the need to include his head in the shot but I told him I would put it on the blog so here it is. They did deep fry it up Saturday night and said it was excellent!

Here is a couple pictures of Kyle and his yuckky finger. The picture doesn't show it well but it was nasty looking. He's found out roofing is hard work but he's loving the money.

Yep my baby turns "13" tomorrow. And yes he does love his momma! Bruce and I are leaving for the houseboat this afternoon so wanted to post this before we leave. I am taking off next Tuesday to go to Ty's baseball game and then we are going to have lunch and shop for whatever he decides he wants for his birthday present. The whole day will be his. I'm sure the restaurant will be Applebee's (Ty's favorite) and the gift will most likely be Rock Band for PS III. Hope you have a great day my "baby"! Enjoy your weekend and behave.

Happy Birthday Ashley. Hope you have a great day. Enjoy yourself!

Tyler and I sporting our new short summer haircuts. Hard to believe my hair was down the middle of my back this time last year. Oh well. Can always grow it back!

Made this birthday card for Ashley (Cole's girlfriend) out of some of my scrapbooking supplies. Turned out pretty cute.

Tyler went up and got some sunflower seeds last night for his baseball games and when he went to open up the bag further they went flying all over the kitchen. The look on his face and probably mine at the time was priceless. He got them all cleaned up in no time though and didn't lose too many. Needless to say I opened up the next bag for him and put them into ziploc baggies.

Just a couple more pictures from hanging out outside now that the weather is cooperating finally. Kyle was "trying" to swing some wiffle balls around with my golf clubs (I think he tore up the grass more than anything!), while Gizmo was sitting in one of her favorite spots "guarding" the sump pump pipe.

I just love it when the peonies bloom. Once again our house smells like a flower shop while they last. The dark vases are from my yard and the white and pink ones I stole from Cole & Ashley's yard. Wish they would last forever!!

Yep more driveway basketball pictures. Taylor came over one night last week and her and Tyler played some ball.

They even closed highway 3 east of Readlyn due to water over the road. When we were out there checking it out it was close to the road but not over. Had snow fence blocking it off though. Other pictures are usually farm fields now full of water.

Here is flooding on the way to the high school the route Kyle takes everyday to school. Bruce and I drove around and checked out the flooding last night. Never seen the Wapsipinicon that far out of its banks in the 17 years we've lived here.

This was the sky over the Readlyn Coop last night. It was really a brighter pink than these pictures show. And of course Bruce was not suprised at all when I just had to grab the camera to capture it!

We were lucky to not flood yesterday and just had a wet basement, but we did lose power for about six hours yesterday afternoon into the evening. The kids all hung out on the deck or played basketball to pass the time. Can't live very long without PSIII you know. We chatted in my kitchen by candlelight when it rained. Glad we aren't having to deal with major flooding like many communities around are!

Yep some more fire pictures from Friday night. We put some copper inside of garden hose and it makes really cool colors in the fire. Yep, we were bored I guess!