Moving Day

On Thursday, Jameson & I went to Waverly to move Kindra's stuff home from college. We both commented that it felt like we had just moved her there and we are already moving her home. Kin had just finished her Organic Chemistry final (note: taking Organic Chemistry for a May term class in 3 & 1/2 weeks - NOT a good idea!) so she was exhausted. Jameson and Connor carried SO many loads to the van while Kin & I packed up - Kindra is definitely a pack rat. Her dorm is not air conditioned, so it was extremely hot and hard work. Afterwards, we hit Dairy Queen and took a long walk around town. It's such a pretty little town. Here's Jameson, Kindra & Connor are by the river.



Kin & Connor:





Kindra was happy to have both of her guys with her - probably so she didn't have to do all of that moving on her own!



When walking over the bridge, we could smell the heavenly smell of chocolate from the Nestle plant that is close by. Ahhhhhh..... one of the best smells in the world - chocolate!



Back on campus, we went to the dorm where Kin is going to live next year (this dorm is air conditioned, thank goodness!) and saw some of Connor's artwork from this last semester.





At the end of the day, this is how we all felt (totally exhausted!). We all told Kin that she has no choice - must take less stuff next fall!

Confirmation time

Jameson has been going to confirmation at our church every Wednesday night and yesterday afternoon was the big day that he was finally confirmed. Before going to church, he got his first lesson in learning to tie a necktie from Dad.


I thought he looked all grown up in his tie, but he later decided that he wasn't going to wear it (but I luckily got in a few pictures before that).




They had a fairly large group of 8th graders (I think 58 kids) so the church was packed.


Jameson did a great job reciting his favorite bible verse - spoke out clear and strong. We were very proud of him. Kindra was able to come home from Wartburg for his confirmation even though she is the middle of taking a 3 week intensive course in Organic Chemistry (crazy kid!) and had a test today. It meant a lot to Jamo to have his sister here (he kept asking if Kin was going to be able to come), so she was here.



Afterwards, we went to one of our favorite restaurants - Hickory Park in Ames. Since it's on Kin's way back to college, we thought at least she'd be part of the way back to school & would have a good meal in her for some final Organic Chemistry cramming. She was in high spirits & kept us entertained while we were outside waiting for a table.

I will dare...

Another layout from Jessica Sprague's class. They are so much fun to do!

Afternoon in Pella

I'm taking a class from Jessica Sprague right now: Type+Writer. I highly recommend her classes (even though I'm seriously behind in it). You learn a lot and they are so much fun, once you actually sit down to work on it! Here's the first layout from the class.

Get Well Card

A card that I made for a friend using my new PaperTreyink stamp set Mega Mixed Messages and their paper Friends 'Til the End . Absolutely love both the stamp set and the paper!

Florida - Part 2

Continuing our Florida saga.....

Because it was Kindra's birthday, she got into Disney for free. When we picked up her ticket, they gave her this button to wear.


Little did we know that this button was the catalyst to receiving birthday greetings from SO many people all day long. She probably didn't go 5 minutes without someone (both Disney cast members and other visitors) saying "Happy Birthday". Talk about making a person feel special! We teased Kin that never in her life will she get that many Happy Birthdays in one day again (unless she goes to Disney for her birthday!). We really should have kept track of how many times it was said to her that day.

After we left Animal Kingdom, we headed to Downtown Disney, which is one of my favorite places in the world (ok, Disney World at least!). First up was supper at Earl of Sandwich. Don't quite know how they can make a simple sandwich taste so good but we love it.



Then, it was onward to Ghirardelli's for the most incredibly amazingly delicious hot fudge sundae, which Kin & I split in honor of her birthday (it was HUGE!).






After a few minutes of browsing in a couple of shops, we walked through Pleasure Island. We usually never make it past the Lego store near the edge of Downtown Disney, so it was interesting to see a whole new area.


Finally, to top off Kindra's birthday, Mimi & Papa had gotten us tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil. We couldn't take pictures during the show and frankly, wouldn't have wanted to miss even a moment to take a picture. I'd like to try to describe it, but it's an experience that can't be described. The show held us spellbound, in awe of the performers and busy trying to see everything that was going on. If you ever have a chance to see the show, go see it. Incredible, amazing, superb don't even come close to describing it. Go see for yourself.



Since Cirque got over so late, we stayed at a nearby Best Western, where we got some excitement when we got back to our room. Shortly after arriving, a fire truck showed up (complete with lights and men on walkie talkies). Next up were not one but 2 ambulances. The hubbub was concerning a group of high school/college aged kids, some of which were in the room 2 doors down from us. They ended up taking away 2 of the girls in ambulances. We gave up trying to be discreet & peek out the window to see what was happening and went up on the balcony to watch (great seats!). No one at the hotel would tell us what happened but we had fun guessing. It was our late night free entertainment!

The next morning, we hit the Nike outlet to feed Kindra's Nike Shox addiction - she does so love her Shox!



Have to admit, the pair that she got are adorable. I got some too; mine are normal ones though.



Back to Mimi & Papa's where it had finally warmed up enough to sit by the pool all afternoon - ahhh... (still a little chilly to get in though)




Kin made friends with the neighbors' dog, Kringle, next door:




A few of the beautiful flowers and trees in & around Mimi & Papa's house:











Their lime tree:

Their grapefruit tree:

Amazingly enough, upon returning home, Kin's backpack held a total of 15 grapefruit, 4 oranges and 3 limes. Yum!

Backyard:


Kindra helped Papa plant some flowers:



This is where breakfasts should always be eaten:


Yes, Kin is having her favorite breakfast of all times - cake!

One last moment of sunshine by the pool before heading to the airport:




Back home again to cold gray rainy skies (and obviously none too thrilled about it!).


Note bulging backpack full of fruit! Is it time to go back yet?

Florida Highlights (subtitle: I'm ready to go back!)

Kin & I recently got back from a trip to Florida during her spring break to see Mimi & Papa (my parents) and to take a little break from the Midwest cold and dreary skies. Think we brought the cold with us though - the first couple of days were in the 50's & 60's. A little too nippy to even think of sitting by the pool! However, the skies were a brilliant blue every day, so that helps tremendously. As the week progressed, the temps kept edging up until it was just about perfect by the day we left (my definition of perfect is about 80 degrees and sunny).

Since it was Kindra's birthday while we were there, she ended up having a little bit of birthday every day. Here's the incredible cake that Mimi made her - a 14 layer creation with the most delicious chocolate frosting you've ever tasted.


Kin + cake = pure bliss. She ate it every day that we were there for each meal (good thing she's tiny and can eat like that!





More birthday celebration at a local Mexican restaurant that has the most incredible salsa.



We had fun being silly and attempting to take our own picture using the very scientific method of holding arm in front, laughing, and seeing what we actually end up with. Kin is actually quite accomplished at this method. Guess she's learning something at college!




We were able to do some shopping. They have the BEST shopping there. All kinds of selection and prices that are so much cheaper than at home. We also were fortunate enough to be able to go to an outstanding concert - Mandy Patinkin. I didn't know much about him other than that he had been on Chicago Hope and Criminal Minds, but he actually started out on Broadway and won a Tony for his role in Evita. He had an incredible range and was very entertaining.

Kindra's actual birthday was spent at Disney World. She chose to go to Animal Kingdom. We were unbelievable lucky and did not wait at anything, even though it seemed like there were plenty of people there. The roller coaster riders of the group loved the Expedition Everest roller coaster (wow, didn't know it was going to go backwards!).



We saw more animals on the Kilamanjaro Safari than we ever have. This elephant even was "dancing" to our music!




A rhino came so close to our car that we had to wait for him and could have reached out & touched him (wisely, no one attempted that!).


A picture of Papa (just kidding!):


The Lion King show was fantastic as always.


A couple final shots before leaving Animal Kingdom... it's always so hard to leave such a magical place.





To be continued.............(couldn't tell you all the fun stuff at once, could I?).