It began with Susan and Kari's decision to come to IA for the family reunion with me. It would surely be an adventure especially with the three babies going along. We headed out Thursday night and drove for 13 hours until we reached great grandpa's farm. It was fantastic to have our whole immediate family together once again. The farm was filled with babies this year~ the next generation. It was beautiful to see how the importance of famly has been passed on through the generations and how connected we can feel to relatives whom we barely ever get to see. Saturday we went to my cousin's wedding reception. It was a great idea to have it around the 4th so most of the extended family could be there. Raina had the best time catching fireflies, which is a magical childhood memory of mine taking place in IA. Sunday was great aunt Gertie's bithday party, and Monday we had a picnic in the park for great grandpa. Monday afternoon we headed back to CO. Because all the babies went along Rick volunteered to puppy sit Matilda, which would make the trip easier on us. I wanted her to go along, but thought I could make the exception for the babies. Oh, those cute babies!!!

We returned early morning Monday and had 4 days to settle back in and prepare for company.

Mom, Dad and David arrived Thursday evening around 11. Friday we walked down to the museum in town with Tildy, cooked out with Susan's family at my house, and went to a Rockies game. I'm still amazed: $4 for tickets in the bleachers! We had a great time in the rock pile while the rockies won in 11 innings. Saturday David and I went hiking  in the flatirons, the the big group toured an art museum and stoppd for a tasting at a local brewery. Sunday we went to church, I had puppy classes w/Tildy, we toured celestial seasonings and went to pearl street. Monday David and I broke from the group again to take a hike on Long's peak. We hiked 7 hrs. Tuesday we took the kids to the park and met the Veltri's at Susan's for dinner. David, Kari and I decided to go back to Long's peak Wed. David was determined to do his first 14er on this trip which he did accomplish. 12/13 hrs. out hiking that day!

Mom, Dad and David headed back to WI Thurs. I finally got around to weeding my garden, and had fun playing sofball last night. Now I'm puppy sitting.

See why it's been a whirlwind? What a fantastic mental break it has been.

Talk to you soon...

I finally feel like I can sprint to first base without a load of bricks tied to my feet! It's been fun mainly because nobody is extremely competitive- just out there to have a good time. Our manager asked me to play fall league, but I won't be able to due to the upcoming foot surgeries.

Unfortunately, there was a piece of her duclaw that wasn't removed properly at birth which caused an infection. Today she had it removed and seems to be doing fine.

This is my first puppy so, advice from someone experienced would be appreciated!!!

This week official training began. Matilda is learning to come, sit, down and high five. She is also learning to walk beside me instead of in front of me and how to cool herself off in the kiddie pool. Matilda is doing pretty well with the potty training but is full of acid and marked up S&R's lawn! I think it was last Friday night that we went down to the Tastee Freeze and got an ice cream. Maybe we'll do that again tonight.

Tonight a guy is coming over to finish...(hopefully, I've said this before quite a few times and kept running into roadblocks) ...the drywall in my bathroom from the chimney/water damage. What a relief it will be to have that done!

Recently, I painted my bedroom olive green. The trim around the floor was still raised from when there was carpet there, so I put it back down on the floor.

Behind my faucet I put a new backsplash which covers up the ugly tile behind it. I purchased these plastic sheets that look like old metal and painted and sanded it.

The back fence is pretty bare so I planted a flowering bush in front of it. Can't wait till it gets bigger!

Other than school stuff I plan to go to Iowa for our family reunion at the end of June. I'm also looking forward to my parents and brothers' visit in July. Of course I have a zillion things to do around my 1925 house. My chimney situation has not yet been resolved, I plan to put in a new kitchen faucet, plant some trees or shrubs, and paint the exterior. I'm still undecided about having a garden. The application/ portfolio process for grad school seems overwhelming right now, but possible.

The tiles are all up on the mural now. I'm happy with it! I'll get some pics up soon...