Reiman Gardens 2019

I make everyone go see the tulips in the Spring with me. They are usually at their peak around Mothers Day so it makes a good outing. This year it was warm and sunny! Robert was traveling, but I made Gpa Dallas tag along. 

 Always a picture with Cy.

 The garden feature this year was "games", they had many large scale yard games. 

 All weather proof and nicely incorporated to flow with the gardens. 

 And Reiman has scooters for the non-walkers!

April 2019 catch up

 When your 10 year old pulls of a magnificent April Fools joke, but is so excited he tells you about it!

 Mexican food... chips make everyone happy

 Looks like the Easter bunny stopped by with some chocolate bunnies

 Dallas buddy Sean was baptized at church on Easter Sunday

 Easter 2019 with a viewing of The Ten Comandments

April sports, cleats, dance leotards, and shin guards

March 2019

 Robert took the girls to the Father Daughter dance our church hosts. This years theme was "Me and mini-me", and this was our take. It was a inexpensive and a bit cobbled together, but they looked cute and had fun.

 Lots of our meals looked like this during the house selling season of Spring. I think on this particular night we were out because of a showing at dinner time. Robert had miraculously brought home Texas Road House ribs they had brought into his office. We heated them up and had other random things from the fridge and ate it standing at the counter!

 We played lots of games this Spring. We always have a slow time between sports/activities, but the weather is still not great for being outside at night.

 These three wonderful friends are all homeschooled and rock the going to the Middle school for band thing. They played in a trio for Solo and Ensemble contest. L to R, Elena plays basson, Johanna plays tuba and Emily on horn. They played a march at is was so interesting sounding a really great. The judge gave them a perfect score, and of course they coordinated their attire.

 I had some Noelle time at a coffee shop. I believe I just won this hand!

 Costume prep for the play Emily was a dance in this Spring.

 Costume fitting at dance!

My baby, getting her math done with tea and noise canceling headphones.

Iowa State Big XII Basketball in Kansas City

 We were quite indecisive on our Spring Break plans this year. I had booked the dog at the kennel for the entire week hoping we would be able to leave and go some where warm. For a while in February we thought we might need to move that week. We ended up hopping on the band wagon and headed to Kansas City for a long weekend. The great thing about March and Missouri is that we can almost always count on it being sunnier and at least 10 degrees warmer than in Ames, which is great for the soul!

 We went to the ISU pep rally at the Power and Light District. Luckily we ran into some friends!

 Look at us in sweatshirts and no coats!!!!

Iowa State won the tournament. We didn't go to the game, but had fun watching it from the hotel. We mooched off our friends who were staying at the team hotel and waited to greet the team. It was tons of fun. Thanks KC for a good break from Iowa winter.

Emily Bakes

Emily loves to bake. I will likely remember these years as the British Bake Off and Food Network stage. We gifted her a sourdough baking course for Christmas. We have been reaping the benefits. She also loves making pastries and trying new things without recipes. 

 Pain au Belle

 Sourdough bagels formed in the Turkish style (these are amazing with a savory "everything but the bagel type seasoning on top) 

 Every baker looks at the "crumb"

 Second attempt at Macarons, the first attempt was not photo worthy according to the baker

 More bagels

 Sourdough cinnamon buns

And pie made with a friend for Pi day

Pending

It is finished! We had three showings before noon on March 11. I was trying to hard to protect our mornings and not allow showings as we get the bulk of our school started and finished in the AM. I knew one of these clients was bringing back his girlfriend and likely liked it enough to do that so I said yes. Then I said yes to two other showings, because at that point why not. 
Our realtor let us know by 4 pm that afternoon that each of the three were offering!

Hallelujah

We did some negotiating and ended up accepting an offer. Some of the terms were a generous close date which we liked, and no inspection. Which is crazy to me, but as Robert says means no more money spent here! We celebrated by not making our beds on Tuesday.

Now to find a house, or a rental or land...

Winter 2019

 We got a swing for Christmas, but hung it up in the basement for now. It is very comfortable with a bean bag throw on top. It usually has a kid reading in it, which makes my heart happy.

 Our new Christmas game gifted by Aunt Lynne is such a hit. We play it often, she picks the best games. It is a bit like Ticket to Ride, involves some strategy, but can be played quickly. Our version also came with the expansion pack. Carcassonne 

 Robert gifted me with a real running jacket for Christmas. I feel legit and safe. It is better to run in white than black at 6:30 in the morning.

 Noelle finished another language book

 I ordered 25lb of ground beef from a young entrepreneur in Nebraska that I follow on social media. She was running a special and with shipping it rang in at the same price it would have been at Fareway (not on sale). I was happy to support her. It is also dry aged 60 days and is really yummy! oakbarnbeef.com

 Noelle started back at Robert Thomas. She is by far the tallest in her class. I am guessing the oldest as well, as she is an older 2nd grader.

 Dallas started basketball. You can see him shooting in this picture, #25, or the blonde with the long hair. 

 Emily decided to go for a big trim, 8 or so inches gone. She loves it!

 My kids love dog photography, I have so many pictures of Murphy sleeping on my phone. He is very photogenic in this state. 

 Noelle is receiving a girls craft subscription from Grandma Shirlee. This was her first box. The timing was great as she was home sick all that week. 

 January and February has been fairly calm for us besides the house showings. We have had lots of game and family time. Clue is a favorite of Noelle, not Robert or I. Dallas also reveals his cards halfway through the game to speed things up.

 School days....

 Emily helped me send out 100's of letters to Robert's podcast supporters. Stuffing envelops like a pro.

I do love Yahtzee and could play that all day...