A Time to Remember . . . .

                                                                                                                           It's nice to take the time to reflect on our loved ones that have passed away and remember that right now there are soldiers fighting for our freedom.  It reminds me how thankful I am for what we have.  I love the silence with all the flags whipping in the wind.  So peaceful.  

Ryan has played taps for 4 years now.  I must say it sounded WAY better this year then his freshman year when he was so                                                                scared and intimidated.  Now he is a young man, and plays with pride.

Gotta Have Friends

Ryan's class has been a great group of kids!  So many talents and interests.  I will miss some of their quirky qualities!

Graduation Day

Yeah, I got my diploma!

Last Day of School

Last Day of school!

Isn't she just the sweetest looking girl!

Blog the DOG

Meet Mollee, she is the newest addition to our family.  She was adopted from P.A.W.S. and is 1 1/2 years old.  Now I have BLOGGED the DOG!!!

MS Track . . . , Emily is participating in the long jump, Distance Medley, Shuttle Hurdle relay and the 200 Hurdles.  Last night the 7th grade girls got first at Carroll.  GO GIRLS.  We have some very promising years ahead, I think, well, what do I know, I'm just the photographer.

Next, I think I should mention Prom.  Ryan's Senior Prom was "very fun".  The parents did a great job and even had entertainment for the banquet.

OK, before I BLOG the DOG, I need to update what's going on with the kids, it's all about priorities!  So, Ryan is playing Tennis for Carroll Kuemper.  It's been a great experience for him and he has met lots of new friends.

It's a Musical Night-3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Program

Thursday Night fun at the MS Gym!  What a fun time the kids had.  I love watching all the kids wave to their parents!

Dance Weekend at Davenport

We had a great weekend at Davenport.  The girls danced very well and had a lot of fun.  The Shrine Circus was also at our hotel and the clowns were out in the halls until 11:00 making balloons and riding their trikes up and down.  The Hotel had an open atrium, so we could pretty much see what was going on at every level.  Greg is not one for sitting around for hours watching dance so he and Aaron went to the Rock Island Arsenal and Museum and drove up and down the Mississippi.  We are all relaxing after a long weekend.  I think it will be a popcorn night for supper.  The only down thing, was I didn't know we could take pictures, so I didn't bring my good lens.  Boo Hoo.

Congratulations Ryan!

Today . . . Ryan got mail . . . he made it into Celebration Iowa and will be in the the jazz band.  They put on 30 concerts all over the state.  Wonderful news except the fact he will leave June 7th and be gone until August 8th and then leave for college.  It will be a great experience for him!  We are so proud!

First MS Swim Meet in Ankeny

This is Emily's first MS Swim Meet.  Four swimmers from Jefferson compete with the Boone Swim Team.  She did a great job!  1st in the 50 Freestyle,  1st in the 200 Freesyle Relay, 1st in the 400 Freestyle relay, and 2nd in the 50 Backstroke.

Alecia Swimming at Fort Dodge

On Sunday, we traveled to Fort Dodge for Swim team.  Alecia is on the CAST (Carroll Area Swim Team).  She took off 2 seconds in the 50 Freestyle.  They have a beautiful pool.  She didn't have to swim in the last relay so we had enough time to travel to Panora for Greg's mom's 70th Birthday.  It was a busy day, and the van has a few more miles tacked on.

ISU Honor Band

On Saturday we went to Ames to see (well sort of) and hear (well sort of) Ryan play in the ISU Honor Band.  What a talented group of kids and instructors!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

29 and holding . . . . . . . . . right?

Love you!

My First Post!! Pictures of the Dominican

This is my first blog picture!  Aren't you proud of me, Laura!  This is part of the resort we stayed at in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  It was very pretty, they had many employees pruning and cleaning.  Since I couldn't be at the Inauguration, I watched it for hours on the TV in our room.  Thank goodness it was actually in English!  This Banana Tree was outside our room, I guess you have to boil these before you can eat them?  This is a nice house along the roadside.  I snapped it on the way by.  I guess the bright colors are painted to represent their religious beliefs and Saints.