Iowa Visit and Prom

 In mid-April, I flew to Iowa to spend some time with my parents, Nicolas, Anna, and Lydia. I also hoped to watch the girls run in a track meet. They did run the Friday night of the Sioux City Relays, but the Saturday events were canceled due to weather. Greg and Jaron came to the track meet and it was so good to see them. The girls and I enjoyed a Pizza Ranch outing, breakfast at Casey's with Grandpa and Grandma, and a meal at Los Tulipanes. Just to get a taste of the girls' Dordt life,  I listened to one of Anna's early morning organ practices and went to Lydia's NISO (Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra) dress rehearsal Monday evening. I also met my sisters for coffee one morning and watched my nieces run at a high school track meet. If Nicolas seems noticeably absent from any activity, it was because he was sick the entire weekend. Fortunately, his mom was out and could "mother" him a little. 

Giving Wells his birthday books.

Sunday games at Grandpa and Grandma's house (with Lydia's roommate for next year).

I walked with my parents every morning in the dome. After two laps, Dad always had a taffy treat to share.

Meanwhile back at home...

Seth and Russ managed Jr/Sr Prom marvelously without me. They even managed to cook a meal for Seth and his friends!  

And this boy found himself on the wrong end of a catfight...again. Good thing I had access to a veterinarian and could bring home some antibiotics for this nasty sore.

I returned home at midnight Tuesday night, got up at 3:30 am, and took Russ to the airport to fly to Dordt for the Board of Trustees meeting. Russ had also hoped to watch the girls in a track meet while he was there, but due to cold windy weather, the girls did not run in their track meet this weekend either. Instead, they went with Russ to visit his parents in Glidden and treated them to Pizza Ranch. Although it was awesome to be in Iowa with the other kiddos for a while, it was good to be back home with Seth in our routine.

Amazing Race and Easter Weekend

 Caleb and Mikaela drove up from Salt Lake City on Thursday night to visit for Easter weekend. Seth went thrifting with them on Friday afternoon, and we all went to Cloverdale's Good Friday service that evening. Mikaela and Caleb helped us with the youth group's annual Amazing Race on Saturday.  On Easter Sunday we celebrated Christ's resurrection, and Seth also made profession of faith.  Such a blessing for Seth (and us!) that Caleb and Mikaela could be with us.   We enjoyed Easter dinner with the family and dear friends from church. I have only a few weekend pictures, but lots of memories!

Amazing Race pictures:

Not a super great picture, but this is Russ praying for the three young men who made profession of faith. You can see Seth's hand on Russ' back.😍 

Florida Spring Break

Seth, Russ, and I flew to Orlando for Ligonier's National Conference during spring break. We enjoyed three days of outstanding messages and great fellowship with our housemates. 

Seth with his cousin Jaron and Jaron's girlfriend.

This was everyone that stayed at the house. What a fun crew!

 

Walked to Mcdonald's for an ice cream cone and a coffee between sessions.

Enjoying the beautiful Florida weather between sessions.

In the foyer of the Orange County Convention Center, they had two areas of cool hydroponics. I just had to take a picture for my plant-loving Caleb.

The Gutenberg Bible from the traveling Bible museum that was set up near the other exhibitors. 

Even though the conference days were quite busy, we had plenty of time to relax around our Airbnb.

Russ rescued this little guy from the middle of the road. He deposited him in the grass near a retention pond.

Beautiful sunsets for our evening walks!

On Saturday after the conference, we made a quick trip to Cocoa Beach. A beautiful afternoon to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean!

Church at St. Andrews on Sunday morning.

On Monday we took a boat tour in Winter Park and after a yummy al fresco lunch we found a park to walk around to enjoy the beauty of Florida,

On our way home!

Other Winter Activities

Caleb and Mikaela sent us this picture of them enjoying all the snow in Salt Lake City this winter--some places receiving over 800 inches in the mountains!

A fun Galentine party with a clothes swap. 

 

Seth supported one of his friends at her orchestra concert.

The girls were home for spring break the first week of March. So great to have them home! Seth and Lydia tried to share devotions one evening by each reading a word in the sentence. 

Bunco night at the church coincided with the girls' spring break.  Seth worked the nursery and sold goodies as fundraisers for the RYS convention this summer. I was sick with a nasty head cold and decided to stay home.  Pretty sure no one wanted me touching all the dice!

Mom said, "Go to the track for a workout. I don't think it will rain. It's a great time to run." This is the picture they sent me, soaking wet after it rained.😂

Russ took this beautiful picture on the way to or from his classis meeting in Washington in March. 

While he was gone, I had the privilege of taking the car to get a tire fixed.  I guess maybe I should watch what I drive over?  This is a piece of wood with a large nail.

A picture of Seth and his friends at Sadie's dance in March.