Week ending 3-25-2012

         New Dancing With The Stars started so it was time to watch and rate the dancers with our paper plate numbers.  Always a good time with the kids.

             So nice outside this week that Rachel and Margaret got to have lunch outside one day.

        Off to KC, MO for Rachel and I.  Here are Jordyn, Emma and Rachel enjoying Baskin Robins.

                 Rachel and I went downtown KC to check out Kalediscope.  If you look really close you will see Rachel face on the wall a few times.  This was Rachel's favorite room.

      Let the dancing begin.  Here is Rachel with Anna getting ready for their small group dances.

                            All of the girls all ready for OH BOY on the stage.

  We did see some relatives over the weekend. Jerry and Courtney Podhajsky came to see Rachel for a little bit.  They even gave her a rose for her dancing weekend.  Thanks for meeting us.

                       Rachel doing her Send In The Clowns dance.

                The cast of Mary Poppins getting ready to hit the stage for the first time.

                    My little boy Rachel ready to take the stage for Mary Poppins.

               The end of Mary Poppins with her famous song - you know it and I don't want to spell out.

                 I missed Grant's first pinewood derby so I had Greg on photos.  Here he is with his car.

                          Grant watching his car go down the track.

              Grant's pinewood derby Oakland Raiders car and his medal he earned.

               Grant's first time on the bike.  I have a feeling more practice on balance is in Grant's future. 

OH YES - Time for the Craft/Bake Sale at our house for Charity.  We hope you can make it. As I am doing this blog this week I have granola and jam being made RIGHT NOW!!!  Please come.

Spring Break 2012

              We stated the week with visiting Dana's dogs - Peanut and Snickers.

                       Here is Grant working on his NCAA paperwork.

             Lunch at Village Inn was COOL since Grant got to see his favorite Iowa Basketball player - #4 Marble.

                         Then we headed to the Mall Of America with Grant and Rachel.

                          In the front left seats are Greg, Grant and Rachel on Rock Bottom Plunge - Grant loved this ride - he rode is 6 times.

                  They had a new ride that just opened - Mutant Ninja Turtle Ride.

                      You can see Rachel, Grant and Greg flying on the turtle ride. 

                     Oh yes - and you have to do the Log Chute - YES we all very scared.  YIKES!!!

          Grant got a new basketball at MOA and in honor of  the NCAA games that are going on.

                         Grant playing some basketball with Grandpa Vernie at the new Dyersville school.

                               Time for the Dyersville St. Pat's Day Parade.

                   Check out our loot of SnoBalls - We did give Grandpa Recker one.  BUT that was it.

                        Abbie and Jacob flew to AZ to be Nanny and Grandpa Cram.

                              Here they are with Grandpa enjoying their pool.

            They meet up with their cousin Amanda and went to see the Grand Canyon for a day.

            To end Spring Break we even got to have supper on the screened in porch.  What beautiful weather we have been having.  I hope it lasts.

Week Ending 3-11-2012

     I got to be a REAL lunchlady this week with Barb and Shirley - hairnet, gloves and apron.

                                   Grant doing some night hoops since the weather was so great.

                           Abbie had a date night with her 5th/6th grade teacher - Mrs. Guthart.

                                 Tiger Cubs checked out the Dead Animal Museum.

                         Way to start Spring Break with some hoops in the driveway.

                              Rachel flying her homemade kite since it was so windy out on Saturday.

                Even Albert got to enjoy the weather outside in his ball.

                             Time to put up the trampoline.

                               Grant and Rachel helping me with some of the parts.

                               FINALLY - time to jump.

                               Finished the weekend of with seeing The Lorax.

Fun with Joel and Susan 3-4-2012

                 Joel and Susan opening up their engagement gifts from us.  Sticky notes and pens.

                         Susan doing some crafts with Abbie and Rachel.

                               Jacob and Joel putting the parachute together with rope for fun in the snow.

                              Abbie going for a ride on the parachute.  We had a lot of wind on Saturday.  Thanks for the fun Uncle Joel. 

                              Time to warm up with some hot cocoa.

                             Rachel helping Susan write her vows for the mock wedding.

                                                              S.T. and J.C. = 4EVER

                               Grant walking Susan down the hallway to give her away to Uncle Joel.

                              Joel and Susan exchanging wedding vows during the mock wedding we set up.

           The wedding party - Susan looking good in my wedding dress and Joel looking very handsome in Greg's Prince Charming suitcoat.  Thanks for playing along Joel and Susan.

                        The whole gang ready to roller skate with our team shirts on.

                                       Susan and Rachel having some fun.

                                    Jacob and Morgan taking a break from the action.

                                Grant and I having some fun while Uncle Joel attempts to take photo.

          Grant on his own and Uncle Joel putting a bubble around him so nobody will knock him down.

            Susan and Grant trying once again to win the dice game and failed once again.  UGH!!!!  Maybe next time.  After going there so many times you would think they would let just one of us win.