Wow the month of May is flying by. It seems like we are busy all the time with either yard work or traveling.
We started May with a trip to Omaha for May Crowning. I absolutely love this tradition and was so happy to be there to watch both Anna and Joe participate. Joe carried the crown in and escorted the young lady who crowned the Blessed Mother. What an honor for all of us.

We also celebrated D'Lynn's birthday and mother's day with a great brunch on Sunday morning. After breakfast we headed to Waukee to celebrate mother's day with the Carlson's. We ate out that night at Famous Dave's. Both meals were yummy but more then one person should eat in one day.

On Monday morning we headed to Gladstone and celebrated Fran's birthday at Applebee's. Again just so much food but I will say yummy to that quesadilla burger that I shared with my sister.
Now for the big trip. We accompanied Fran on a road trip to Tucson, AZ. Kevin received his Master's Degree and we were lucky enough to get to go also. Fran needed to drive so that she could bring some of his things back to Gladstone until his first job comes along. We asked if we could go with her so she would not be alone. She was delighted. We really had a fun trip going out and back and also found several caches in several states.



Our time in Arizona was full of things to do and places to go. We attended both the graduation and the hooding. Kevin and Hollyanne showed us around the campus and some different places to eat. A little caching was done here also. We ate everything from subs to fondue. Kevin, also took us for a day in the mountains. It was so beautiful and we were able to get out of the car and look around and walk around in several areas. It brought back memories of our time in Phoenix and Squaw Peak. One of the nice things that happened is that we got to know Hollyanne better and we met her parents and her sister.
On Sunday, we packed up and cleaned Kevin's apartment, loaded the car and were ready to head home on Monday morning. We got back to Cleary's on Monday night and unpacked the car. Tuesday morning we headed to Moorland where we mowed lawn and did laundry before heading to Omaha for Joe's 8th grade graduation. The Omaha Buck's left for Disney World and we headed back to Moorland World for a lot of catching up on things like chores and sleep. We have a very courteous house guest named Lucky for the time that the Omaha Buck's are at Disney World.

What a great month and now we await the arrival of our Memorial Day weekend and the family coming home.
We did receive some bad news this month. My cousin, Tim Fuoss, was diagnosed with cancer in his cheek and had to have an extensive 15 hour surgery. He is home and doing well. He will start his radiation treatments soon.

Wow, Ronnie is so good to post to my blog that I thought I should get busy and write a little something myself. We have had two great weekend since I last posted besides having a great evening out with our Moorland friends.
On the weekend of April 17, we headed to Waukee to help with the girls while Cindy and Craig spent a day taking a parenting class. They had a great day and so did we. We started by taking the girls to a jewelry store, Christophers, in Des Moines. I sold some silver and gold and came out with a couple hundred dollars. Not bad for things that were broken or had gone unworn for so long. Last night I saw a news report on channel 13 and it seems that they took gold to 5 places in Des Moines and were offered the most at Christophers. I guess I made a good choice.
After our trip to the jewelry store we headed to the mall where the girls had so much fun playing in the play area. They were just adorable and running all over the place. When we decide it was time to go eat lunch, Izzie decided to hide under one of the tunnels. Very cute. Next we had lunch at the mall and then home for naps. Mom and Dad came home and we went out to dinner at a nearby Irish Pub. Yummy!
Sunday morning it was up for Mass and back home for breakfast. Ronnie and Craig spent the rest of the time doing some jobs around the indoors and outdoors. Looked pretty nice when we were done. Cindy and I went shopping and both found some things to use in our homes. Great weekend with lots of love and fun but no pictures.
Last weekend we headed to Omaha for Joe's confirmation. Friday night we went to Sertino's for pizza and were met there by Mark, Pat and Fran and Jim. Love that pizza. Saturday was the big day and Cindy joined the rest of us for a great dinner of all of Joe's favorite foods. It was quite a combination and everyone seemed to enjoy those foods right along with him. After eating we all got ready for the big event. It was a beautiful service and Joe took the sacrament very seriously. We were so proud of him. Dan and Ronnie participated by singing in the choir. Following confirmation and Mass we all headed back to the Omaha Buck's for another one of Joe's favorites - pie. Wise choice I would say.
Sunday was a nice leisurely morning with breakfast at Just in Thyme. The girls then headed to the mall for a shopping event. We did not buy much but sure enjoyed our female bonding time. Sunday evening after everyone left we had a little sing a long in the living room and then off to bed. Monday it was lunch with Joe, Dan and D'Lynn and then back to Moorland.

Another Outdoor Day

A beautiful day yesterday in spite of the gusty winds so we decided to take the opportunity to work outside. Mary finished the huge job of weeding the peony bushes on the north side of our property. This is the nicest they have looked since either of us can remember. While she was attacking the weeds I painted up the disguise for what will be our newest cache (pictures below). While the paint was drying I harnessed up the mowers and gave the yard a fresh haircut. Last weekend’s 9/10” rainfall really made the grass grow. By mid-afternoon we both were getting weary and decided it was time to clean up and relax for the evening.Our newest cache.
Lift the lid and inside is a 4X6" lock and lock container.The pseudo birdhouse will be fastened to the backside of the tree near the burn pile across the street south of the house. We are anticipating standing in the computer room to watch our fellow cachers discover the hidden treasure. Should be fun!My next project is to lay down weed barrier in front of the house then cover it with either rock or mulch. The grass seed in the front yard is really beginning to take off.

Our day in the great outdoors went really well yesterday. I managed to do 5 loads of laundry and hang them all outside. I also got a couple of flower beds cleaned up. Things are getting spruced up around here. Ronnie started putting border block up in the front yard. He dug up the bushes that have been out there for years and really never did much. He intends to move some hostas to replace the bushes.
Here's what it looks like now. All the bare dirt is the result of the excavation that was done last fall. The town put a check valve in the drain from our basement that goes out the town tile in front of the house. Now we have to seed it and hopefully by mid summer we will have grass again.This morning Ronnie went to see Dr. Wallace and came home with a good report. We had been a little concerned about some spots on his head but the doctor says they are fine for now. He needs to keep an eye on them if they start to grow or become painful. I got the results of my mammogram today and it turned out fine. Looks like the two of us are here to stay for awhile. God is good.

Monday was a visit with Doctor Wallace

Monday I went for my annual physical with Dr. Wallace. All went very well. My blood work showed great numbers (even better then last year). Of course he always wishes that I would lose a some weight as do I but he was very pleased with the activity that I get and in what good shape I seem to be in. I did get a tetanus shot because of my run in with the barb wire fence and he said I should probably get one every 5 years if I stay this active. I think he thinks I am accident prone.

As he was leaving he said you are in much better shape then you think you are. Made my day.