Iowa! The final leg of our Summer Journey!

 Emma and her new friend!  The two kept Don and Mary busy for the long weekend that we were together!

 The Helmicks love the Kalona cheese factory!  Keri and I used to come here when we were first married so it has been fun to introduce our children to cheese curds and excellent cheese.

 "Is this heaven? No it's Iowa."  - Field of Dreams

The Smokies!

As we enter the school year you all will start to see posts of what has taken place with stevenandkeri this summer! Keri and I have been talking about how behind we constantly feel. We just can't seem to catch up after being gone this summer. We hope you enjoy! :)

Every two years, Keri's Dads side of the family gets together at various locations. Keri and I have yet to make one in the seven years since we've been married so we thought it would be good to make the effort to travel to Gatlinburg with the kiddos! We are glad we did.

Emma did NOT enjoy this ride!
She did enjoy the merry - go - round though!


We were traveling to hike a waterfall and all of the sudden the cars in front of us stopped on the one lane road. At first I was really bothered by their "rudeness" until I realized they had stopped to view a black bear and her two cubs! Needles to say we stopped as well to enjoy the unbelievable sight. After a hour hike we made it to this fantastic waterfall where we ate lunch with Ross, Amber and their kiddos.

The Martins!

A well deserved lunch.

Did we mention that there were 24 adults and 21 kids 8 and under!

Helmicks Having Fun!

Keri and I got Emma a tricycle for her 2nd birthday! Hard to believe our little girl is already the big 2. This picture has Emma written all over it! She loves swimming, playing outside, riding her trike, and wearing her "wellow" shoes. :)

Drew loves bath time and Emma has done a great job helping this summer. She absolutely loves being the "big" sister that gives Drew baths.

My two most favorite girls in the entire world!


Awesome.... Just plain awesome.....

Drew is beginning to hold his head up well. Yeah Drew Man!

Emma, Elephant, Dad. Yes, in that order....no big nose jokes. :)

Mom and Emma at the new African Penguin exhibit at the Little Rock Zoo. Um, there really are penguins despite the lack thereof in the picture. :)

It was $1 day at the zoo. We were excited to take advantage of this money saving opportunity so we went despite the 100+ temps. Only stayed 45 minutes! The benefits of paying $3. I would like to take this opportunity to brag on the St. Louis Zoo. There will be a posting later on our adventures to this zoo. Fabulous! Free! Fun! Little Rock's Zoo could really take some pointers.

We love Summer!

Emma is a chip off the old block sometimes! We woke up one morning this summer to Emma covered in chocolate chips! She opened the fridge, grabbed the chocolate chips, opened them and proceeded to devour as many as she could before we woke up! They were everywhere. When I asked her if she was ready for breakfast, she informed me that she was "done." I'm sure she was....She probably ate a couple candy bars that morning. Oh, Emma!

A rare moment where they are both playing and Emma is not smashing Drew!

Going on a run with Dad!

Drew loves his thumb. I don't know what it is with our kiddos and their thumbs!
Walking in Mommies shoes.

The good life....

Paint time!

Going to the carwash!

Lunch with Lolly at her work!