April 2023

Cool Moon Pictures

Grant took our good camera outside on a tripod during a nearly full moon and took some really incredible pictures.

Using the Firepit

When the weather starts getting nicer, it is always fun to put the firepit to use.  This time we cooked sausages over the fire.

Putting the RV into Storage

Since there is not an immediate RV trip planned, Nate and Carol put the RV into storage. Putting that RV cover on was tricky!!

Easter at Gramma and Pa’s

We were able to get together with Nate’s side of the family for Easter this year.  The weather was nice enough to spend some time outdoors in his parent’s yard having an Easter egg hunt.

 

Carol’s Birthday

Carol celebrated her birthday in April.  Nate’s parents were able to come to celebrate the big day.  I won’t mention her age (but take a close look at the card she is holding up in one of the pictures).

Restart of Horse Riding Lessons

The weather got warm enough in April to start horse riding lessons back up.  While the kids take their lesson, Nate and Carol feed the horses grass or hay and get some horse love.

Carol’s Getaway Weekend

Carol was in need of some time away, so she found a cabin on a lake in Abilene, KS and went for a long weekend.  She enjoyed herself and was able to connect with her friend, Becky, whom she hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.

Jenna Starts Cheerleading Class

Jenna has been interested in cheerleading and Carol found a local cheer academy that would include Jenna and provide her with her own helper during her class.  She seems to really enjoy it, but did tell Nate that it is hard work.

Various Pictures of and with the Dogs

Our dogs are very photogenic.

Random & Silly Pictures of the Month

New firepit, blooming crabapple tree, adding a new sprinkler to the system, silly Jenna, Grant with headphones on, extreme closeup of Grant and Carol posing for Grant.

May 2023

19 Year Anniversary

Somehow, Nate and Carol have put up with each other for 19 years.  Amazing! We got the kids to babysit each other and went out to dinner at a place right behind our house. It was a lovely anniversary date.

Grant’s 15th Birthday / Visit from Nana

Grant turned 15 this year on May 20th!  Nana came to celebrate with us. He has officially outgrown his mother and is inching closer and closer to his Dad’s height.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent a good portion of the weekend getting the outdoor pool set up and filled with water.  Other than that, we did some yard work and we continued our weekly scheduled Skype calls with Nana.  

Inflatable Hot Tub

Nate finally convinced Carol that there was room on the patio for an inflatable hot tub (with the help of Nana!).  Unfortunately, the patio is slanted, so Nate decided that a platform was needed in order to have the hot tub sit more level and allow it to be filled to capacity. So over Memorial Day weekend, Nate built the platform and the hot tub arrived on 5/30/2023.

Grant’s Recital

Grant participated in a recital at a local park that has an outdoor stage.  He performed Arkansas Traveler with his ukulele teacher, Mark, and did a great job!

Random & Silly Pictures of the Month

Pretty crabapple tree, Carol’s second lab classroom (downtown campus for summer session), Jenna with a kitty, and garden clematis.

June 2023

Hot Tubbing

The hot tub got installed, filled with water, heated and used beginning in early June.  Within minutes of being in the hot tub, Carol told Nate it might be his best idea ever!

Pool Time

The temperature of the pool was raised quickly enough using our floating heater system (Carol’s idea) that we were able to start using the pool in early June after installing the pool over Memorial Day weekend.

Scooter Ride

Grant went on a long scooter ride to see how far he could make it on a fully charged battery.   He mostly stayed on the bike trails. He traveled nearly 13 miles across town! Once he was nearly out of battery life, he called Nate, who went and picked him up.  Here is a time lapse video of that ride.

Guy’s Weekend

Nate and Grant decided to do an RV trip as a late celebration of Grant’s birthday (instead of tent camping in the backyard like they used to do).  The drove about an hour south of Lincoln to Rock Creek Station State Park and stayed Friday night and Saturday night in an RV campground with just electrical (no water or waste dump at the site).On Saturday, Carol and Jenna came to visit and sight see.  It was a stop on the Pony Express originally.  Grant and Nate returned home on Sunday after a very successful guy’s weekend.

 

Folk Band Camp

Carol convinced Grant to participate in a folk band camp at Blue Raven Music Studio, where he take Ukulele lessons.  He ended up having a great time.  At the end of the week, they had a busking performance at a local coffee shop and earned money!  Here are videos of each of the songs that they performed after just four days of learning and practicing.

Random & Silly Pictures of the Month

Nate with a kitty, Jenna preparing for a sleep study, siblings cuddling, Carol reading outside, Grant and Jenna with their cousin Emberly, and flowers from the garden.