Iowa Reunion

This Labor Day weekend, Brian and I returned to ones of our former places of residence, the University of Iowa. Brian and the 1998 Men's Gymnastics team were being honored at the football game for their 1998 Big Ten Championship. The weekend was full of a ton of planned festivities and reliving old memories with good friends. We had great fun and great laughs telling old college stories. Here are a couple pictures from the weekend.


As with any Iowa football game, especially the first of the season, an old school team shotgun was in hand................

As was, watermellon eating contests with Kevin Agnew.

Here are some of the guys before they were honored on the field at pre-game.

A typical aftermath of an Iowa Tailgate. This random culdasac Brian and I walked off of Melrose Ave was a complete disaster. Hurricane Katrina could not replicate this. A true testimate to the typical Iowa street after a Football Game. Go Hawks.

Here is a picture of me, after only lasting 1 quarter of the football game in the blazing stands. We fried up there like shishcobobs. Brian decided it would be a good idea to park on Woodside Drive where my old apartment used to be because its kinda close to the stadium. However, we did not make it in time for the 3 mile train to block our path to our car. So here is me sitting my prego ass on some sharp stones until the train passed. However, the train did not pass, but came to a complete stop blocking all exits. After waiting about 5 minutes for it to go again Brian and I got fed up and climbed over the top of one of the train cars to escape the waiting, the heat, and frustration. Yes I climbed over a train being 8 months pregnant. Awesome.

The Varstity club threw a nice party at the new Coralville Marriott and here is a picture of the guys after being recognized at the banquet.

Trip to the Zoo

We took Alex to the Zoo for one of her 2nd Birthday gifts. She had a blast even though the temperature creeped up to 95 degrees that day.. We went in the morning to avoid the heat, but it didnt work out that way. We ended up missing the outdoor dolphin show because of the heat ...I dont think Alex was upset about that at all.... as after a couple hours she kept saying, "Mommy I go home , Mommy I go home now......Anyways here are some pictures before both Brian and I were dripping with sweat...... Awesome!


Here is Alex with her nose pressed up against the window to get a better view of the penguins

The seals kept following the kids around the glass window. They were so funny and playful.

Brian and Alex were petting sharks here.... Ya, I said petting. Can you believe it? Who would of thought that sharks make it into the petting area with the goats and stuff? Apparently these ones were not supposed to have teeth? Whatever, I am still scared for life from Jaws.

Brian hoists Alex on his shoulders so she can get a better look at the "Evident" (Elephant) bath.

If I get any bigger with this pregnancy, I mentioned to Brian, this is how they will have to bathe me in my remaining weeks.




Alex and I feed the giraffes sweet potatoes.

And I am spent

Indiana State Fair

The Gambles took the yearly trip to the Indiana State fair here in mid August. True to Gamble tradition, first we hit up the food avenue to fill our bellys with sugar, and sodium. Then we hit the rides and then rounding up the day at the animal barns, which Brian ( extremely allergic to all animals) patiently waited outside..... Oh I should also mention that it was a balmy 90 degrees that day. I spent most of the trip sitting down fanning myself. The kids however, had a great time.



Here is Uncle Matt with the kids enjoying bumper cars right after lunch. No one got sick.

This State fair game involved true skill.. The player must pick up a floating duck to revel a prize. Alex chose a duck with the "oversized stuffed animal prize" We now are the proud owners of a giant orange Nemo fish.

Dad just had to have his picture taken with this fine young stud. Dan the horse just looks ecstatic.