Sunday, May 27, 2018

Putting my parents to work

Although my parents are here on "vacation," they have been keeping very busy. 

My Dad doesn't like to sit still for too long, so I'd been keeping a list of random fix-it type things for him to work on during their visit ... just in case :) Lucky for us, most of that list has now been completed. My Dad has been great! Installing a new light fixture, putting up blinds, creating closet shelving and a host of other random things.

Meanwhile, my Mom (even while needing to wear a walking boot at all times) has done a bunch of cooking and the washing up after every.single.meal; along with creating a rhubarb/strawberry pie masterpiece with the kids & making a batch of my most favorite potato salad. She also bought us some nice plants and put her landscaping consultant hat on; giving us a great start to our patio area. Hurray!

Both of them have taken turns playing and reading to the kids as well. A very full "vacation." We've been so glad to have had them here to help as well as make fun memories together.



















































































Having a break from all that work and enjoying a treat at Jerry's Donuts!



















Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Enjoying our first S. Dakota lake day ---- with my parents!

My parents arrived last week ... after their flight was delayed overnight (ugh) in Denver. Their arrival brought with it our first actual warm weather. After allowing them to recover for a bit, it seemed right to head to the lake and enjoy some SUNSHINE (finally)!!!!

I picked Sheridan Lake to try out for our first lake/beach day ... it was the closest lake with a sand beach to our house. The beach was fairly small, but seeing as we were the only ones there it was perfect :)


Mabel "helping" Papa at the airport.

Recovering from travel with our lilacs which were in full bloom and smelling a-mazing!




Thursday, May 17, 2018

Having VISITORS!!!

Woo-hoo! We are excited to now have space to easily host friends & family overnight. Our basement has two bedrooms and a bathroom which has been super nice to have available. One of Jason's work colleagues spent the night last month while attending a conference, but we got to have our first "real" visitors over the weekend -- our Nebraska friends, the Deeds Family.

It was a really special time, especially since they will be moving to a different part of the country this July. We are so thankful to have had a chance to live near this precious family for the past eight months.
We all fit around the table in our "eat in" kitchen

















Jason & Will got a run in together -- 


Mabel LOVES baby Simeon - who is two years younger than her but nearly the same size!




Monday, May 14, 2018

Out West

We've been back for a week now from our grand adventure West and are starting to feel somewhat back to normal. We had a great time with Jason's family and then saw sooooo many of our Moscow friends. It was really awesome!

All went pretty smoothly outside of the fact that Luke, Mabel & Jason all had a rotating 24-hr flu :( (with Luke's starting 2 hours into our 14 hour drive out -- it made for a memorable car ride for sure!)


























One of the first things we enjoyed on our road trip was seeing "real" mountains again ... we were in awe of our views of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming, then the Bear Tooth, Rockies and Bitterroots in Montana. What a sight!



Our first destination was Coeur d'Alene -- spending a night with friends, then heading to lakeside condos for two days which Jason's parents had generously provided for the whole family. We were super happy to be back at this gorgeous lake and enjoying family time together!























































































Next we headed to Spokane with Jason's family for a couple days, visiting my favorite Manito Park and a new playground, Discovery Park, then getting to spend time watching one of his his nieces practice gymnastics.






























































Next, it was time to catch up with our community in Moscow. Our friends here made us feel incredibly welcome, important and missed. It was a good reminder of what community can look like and an encouragement to keep working on good community here in Rapid City. What a blessing it was to see these amazing people.

























































Lina, Riley, Kajsa, Luke, Cassius & Mabel


My Bible study group, celebrating April's 42nd birthday -- with Alli & myself not far behind!

























With the Moore kids -- Casper, Malcom, Luke, Everly, Briar & Mabel


















































At the Fountain's house -- having our final dinner in Moscow, with the Fountain clan racing the subaru as we left :)




























Felt super happy to get to attend the first Moscow Farmer's Market of the season -- one of our favorite places!



























One final beach date on our way back East -- spending time with family & friends in Coeur d'Alene
































Last views of the mountains as we head East and home




















Sunday, May 13, 2018

Having a Mother's Day Treat

Today makes my 5th year of being a Mom. I feel honored and overwhelmed by what it means to be a mother. I am grateful to all the women out there who have been "mothers" to me at the moment I needed them, and especially thankful for my own Mom (who is coming for a visit on Tuesday - woohoo!).

My day started at 5:25 am, when Luke excitedly arose to make me "breakfast in bed"  
With Jason's assistance, this beautiful tray soon arrived. Nice and early :)