Easter 2015

We had a nice, relaxing Easter this year. The Reagens were out of town and we attended Easter Vigil Mass last night, so most of our day was spent enjoying time outdoors.

Even with the late night last night the kids were up early this morning, ready to look for their Easter baskets. It took a minute, but they all found them. After that we looked for Easter eggs in the back yard before getting out for a walk and just enjoying the nice weather.

In the afternoon we were headed out for a bike ride and Rick and Donna, our neighbors, just happened to be getting ready for a ride at the same time. We invited them to ride along with us.

For dinner Mimi and Papa came over and we had the traditional fare, followed by a terrific chocolate cake.

Lucia Hunting for Eggs
Lucia Hunting for Eggs
Bike Ride with Rick and Donna
Bike Ride with Rick and Donna

Candlemas

Tonight after Neighborhood Sports Susan prepared a nice, candlelit dinner for us! It was a celebration of Candlemas, which we try to honor each year. It is always a neat experience and I noticed that this evening the kids participated in our prayer (requested by Lucia, as always) more than ever.

Candlemas Dinner
Candlemas Dinner

Super Bowl LXIX

Last night we went to the Reagens’ for the Super Bowl. This year the Sullivans joined us for some fun and good food. This year’s highlights included a good game, the Katy Perry halftime show, and the halftime Doritos were a hit, as usual.

Halftime Doritos
Opening the bag of Doritos at halftime is a bit like setting off a pack of firecrackers. You open the bag to get things started and then you run away to safer ground.

 

White Christmas?

It isn’t looking like it is going to be a White Christmas, but the kids at least got to play with a little bit of snow this morning!

Lucia, Andrew's snowman, Mari's snowman. Elliot also made a snowman, but he had some stability issues so Elliot decided to play soccer with him.
Lucia, Andrew’s snowman, Mari’s snowman. Elliot also made a snowman, but he had some stability issues so Elliot decided to play soccer with him.

Weekend Wrap-Up

The weather was beautiful this weekend and we were able to take full advantage of it. On Friday night the kids and I went on an ‘Owl Prowl’ with Polk County Conservation. We learned a little bit about the owls in our area and then went for a night hike to see if we could make contact with any owls. Our guide was unsuccessful, but it was a beautiful night to be outside. After the event the kids and I hit Over the Top, our favorite ice cream shop in Des Moines. Where was Susan for all of this? She was in Ames with her mother for a craft fair and dinner at The CafĂ©.

Saturday was spent mostly at home, with Andy visiting in the morning, naptime (for Lucia) and then we went exploring in the woods on the other side of the creek. The plants are thick so in the summer it was difficult, but now things are thinning out a bit so it is more reasonable. There are some awesome areas for the kids to play and I am hoping to put in a short single-track trail through the woods.

After dinner on Saturday we carved our pumpkins. The kids love it and couldn’t wait. There was some frustration, but in the end it was all smiles.

Sunday was a busy day, with most of the day spent away from home. We left at around 11 and headed to Stone Park, just outside of downtown, for a Cyclocross relay race. My team was Nate, John, Scott, and I. It was fun and the weather was awesome. Susan and the kids were there to cheer us on. After the bike race we headed to Hope’s birthday party at a farm outside of Ankeny. There were a ton of activities, including a very cool corn maze.

Fun times.

Carving
Carving
All Lit Up
All Lit Up
All Lit Up
All Lit Up