Seafood boil (or whatever you call it)

Every year when we go to Texas we stop at a certain restaurant and have their Seafood Boil. Of course there it's $25.00 per person or something like that.  I have seen it on the internet as Frogmore Stew in the Southeast, and just plain ole Shrimp boil elsewhere. Whatever you call it, it's wonderful!

After we came back a couple years ago, we did one for the kids and everyone loved it. Morgan has been wanting to do it again this year and we finally were able to get everyone together today to do it again.

You basically put potatoes, corn, sausage, shrimp and whatever else all in a pot with spices, pour it out on the table and chow down. No plates or forks, just your fingers. We put crab claws in it this year, and they were only so-so (we used the knives on the table to crack the crab claws....have to invest in some crab crackers for next time). I would like to do it next time when we can get crawdads (which is hard to do in Iowa, but you do see them sometimes). We had enough to feed all eight of us and enough left over for a couple more people, and it was wonderful! Even Ava had plenty to eat and Matt took some home for lunch this week.

Here are a couple other pics and videos of the day:

Joe being Joe:

Morgan and Al in a gun fight:

Ok....although I understand that this may be viewed by some as maybe inappropriate I'm going to post it anyway. Al has his next hunter in mind.....I do think you need to teach them early how to correctly and safely handle a gun, even though it is just a Nerf gun.

Several years ago Al went back to Iowa to hunt antelope with a friend and had it mounted. Every time Ava comes in the house she has to go see the antelope on the wall. She just loves it. I keep trying to get a video of it because it's so cute. This one isn't great but you get the idea.

Oktoberfest (a little late)

We have made it a tradition (3rd annual!) to go to Amana camping and to Oktoberfest. It's a quaint little town that has a lot of history. It's a nice celebration, very laid back but nice to go each year. It's great people watching! It was super cold last year but this year the weather was perfect.

I have been getting flack for not posting pics so here you go. Warning: there are lots of pictures, and a couple videos. For those of you in the country....might take a bit to load!

This is the "Beirmeister" and his wife. This is his first year, the last one retired. The funny thing about him was that he didn't drink the locally made beer.....he drank Bud Light!

"Blessing the beer"

I was a little camera crazy. Matt doesn't look too happy with me! Back at ya baby!

Craig surprised Sarah with a day trip to Amana. They didn't realize that we were down there too, until that morning. It was nice to have them there for a bit. Ava enjoyed the parade and all the people, and the candy.

The keg toss. Last year Al placed 2nd place. He didn't place this year but......the old man did beat Matt & Craig!

Matt and Al decided since they didn't win the Keg Toss, they might as well try the log sawing. They had the best time at 26 seconds for a long time, but someone came in at 14 seconds and they were done. Better luck next year, guys!

Matt before the Brat Eating Contest. He placed 3rd!  Hey...it was a free lunch!

 

Here is the first part of the contest. I ran out of memory card, so Sarah got the ending. You can see it on her Facebook.  The best part of this one is the lady next to Matt......

Ok....I acquiesced!

Al has been talking about "needing" a new truck for a while. I heard all about how well it would pull the camper and blah blah blah blah! I HATE talking about new cars at all. When we were first married we had a new (ok very very old, but new to us) car every 6 months or so until I finally told him to stop.  He loves to drive through car lots and just "look". I HATE it. Didn't I already say that?

He has been looking and looking for the last 6 weeks and was constantly telling me to come look at the new one he found on the internet. I just finally said ENOUGH and Al has his new (almost) truck. He better enjoy it, because it's going to be around for a looooong time!

It even has an old man's step so he doesn't hurt himself getting out of the back of it.

 

The dogs seem to like it, too. I do have to say that it is very comfortable and we went camping last weekend and it did pull the camper nice.