Our lasts, pre-COVID-19

 One of the last walks Emily gave Scout. His owners are working from home and didn't need her to stop by mid-day and walk him. She misses the three dogs she used to check in daily. The bit of freedom it afforded her to get out of the house, a break from school work, and the paycheck! She likes to babysit, but LOVES to dog walk!

 Noelle cashed in her 1 on 1 spa date with me. We went to the newly remodeled Nikki's Nails. It wa amazing.

 All the kids participated in Junkbox Wars with the HSAP, turns out this was the last HS related thing we did in person. The challenge this year was to take your junk components and make a marble maze. Team to have the marble on the maze the longest took home bragging rights. It is a great cooperative thing for the kids to do.

 We joined Robert on a work trip to Lexington, Kentucky. The last pool we swam in. Also a first, we were complained about by a grumpy man who had the room beneath us. Rob and I were at the front desk when he complained! We cut the trip short. States were continually making hour by hour decisions about COVID-19. And I sometimes think our government makes rash choices, so my first, worst nightmare was getting stuck in KY in this hotel room with my family. I wanted to be stuck in my slightly larger house (with my family)

 On our way into KY we did stop and tour the Ark. This warrants its own post. But it was magnificent, I think everyone should go. These were interior doors, they had lighting rigged up so the cross would only show up in photos.

 As things were shutting down while in KY, and Robert was working. The kids and I found some outdoors activities. We visited a couple local county parks that were open and hiked.

I had Noelle research eateries. She found a completely GF Cafe to try. We bought several special pastries for only her! She was excited that she could eat everything in the place! While we were picking out treats the owner was waiting to hear the KY governor's proclamation, she was expecting to have to close.  By that evening, our only food choice was drive thru, so we hit up the Chick-fil-a by our hotel. The front desk told us they would not be serving breakfast in the morning. Robert and I decided we could get up at 5 am and be ready to head home!

Adult learning curve

Me thinking about my new computer.

This post is brought to you by my new Mac. Which somehow seemed like a goo idea after using a PC for the last 20 years. My dearest husband did make many PC modifications for me, so I can now right click. It sure is pretty... and I am sure we will soon be friends. 

May 2019 recap

 Noelle finished Awana. Our season of Awana closed. It is hosted at a different church than we attend on Sundays, and is clear across town. This year Dallas attended a Wednesday night activity at our church and Noelle went to Awana while Emily attended youth group with a friend at the same church that hosts Awana. Next year we will have the kids go to Christ Community!

 Love seeing them all hang out in the sand box. We won't have a sand box at the house. 

 The packing begins. Aunt Lynne gave us some nice boxes from when she moved. 

 We had Audrey over for a weekend of fun. 

 Dallas comic

 These kids dream come true, a lemonade stand. These two always want to sell things. Noelle for the selling, and Dallas for the money. 

 Opening day at Furman Aquatic Center 2019

We went to Walmart before to buy new sandals that promptly broke!

 I always have to snap a picture when they are together like this

 Noelle posing with the Cy at the hospital, we went in to visit the lab for a Celiac disease test.

 Always helping Grandpa with something tech related. 

 Dance picture day, aka. mom practice bun and make-up day. 

 Emily was in a musical in May. It was wonderful. We attended all three performances because I guess that is what you do.

She was a "mint", there were several candy groups. Her mint group sang and danced in the Irish clogging style. The musical was written and performed by our home school group.

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.