Way to go Panthers!

Al and I got to go to S.t Louis to watch the UNI Panthers play in the Sweet 16. Becky got to go to Spencer. It was a win/win situation for everyone. (except the Panthers, I guess!) Even though they lost, it was the chance of a lifetime to get to go see them play in a game like this. We had a blast!

in our hotel room
warming up

shooting freethrows

Hanging out with Dana (went to school with Al) and her husband after the game.

Ramada Inn

We went to the Ramada Inn with friends a couple weeks ago to stay and let the kids play in the water park. It was a lot of fun!

The water was so cold, but it didn't seem to bother Becky!

Becky found a friend from Sunday school to run around and play with.

Here is Becky going down the slide. It took her a couple times of me holding her hand and getting soaked, but pretty soon she was a pro and was running around all be herself.

another slide

And then she crashed, HARD!

We got up the next morning and swam some more.

She even talked Daddy into taking her down the slide at least 10 times!

Reiman Garden

Since I've been having furloughs, I have used the opportunity to get things done around the house and just things in general that I need to get done. One furlough day, Becky was so sad to go to school that I promised her I would keep her home with me the next furlough day. I did. It was a couple weeks ago, and I can't believe I haven't blogged about it yet. Anyway, we went to Hickory Park in Ames to have lunch with a friend and then to Reiman Garden in Ames. The garden wasn't actually open, but the butterfly wing was. Becky was not as thrilled as I thought she would be. She hated the butterflies flying around and wanted to leave. She wouldn't let go of my leg. After a few minutes, though, she ventured out, and we had fun looking around at the various butterflies. As long as they didn't get too close to her, she was just fine.

Here she is posing for me in a small inside garden that they had.

Then she wanted me to take a picture of her pretending like she was asleep. She's so funny!

All in all, it was a great day. I was glad to have the opportunity to spend with my precious four year old!

dance class

Last Wednesday was Visitor Week at Becky's dance class. I remembered this time and had my camera to snap some pictures of her in action!

storytime with Grandpa

It is so great when Dad is up in Des Moines for session. He comes over often to visit with us and spend time with Becky. One of their favorite things to do is read stories before bedtime. I had to snap a couple pictures for the scrapbook I will one day be able to get done (I hope!)

Becky had to say, "Smile, Grandpa." She's such a great poser!
Becky is in Florida right now with Grandma Donna and Grandpa Larry visiting Stew, Brenda, and Bode. It sure is quiet around the house with her gone! She will be back on Monday. If you go to the Stewarts' blog, you can see some pretty great video of Becky swimming.

Mommy, Daddy, and the cats miss you, Becky. Love you. See you soon!

bowling

We took Becky for her first bowling outing on Saturday. We have been eating at Trophy's a few times lately, and she always wants to go bowling. We decided since we didn't have anything else going on, it might be fun. She bowled a 75! Not sure she understood what she was doing, but she sure had fun. She even got a little trophy because she bowled over a 50 for her first game. watching the ball go

she got a few pins. thank goodness for bumpers!

perfecting her throw all by herself

posing with her ball

sledding

It was pretty warm on Saturday, so Becky and I decided to play outside for a while. We were out about an hour. We even found some hills that weren't too bad for sledding. After a couple times of me giving Becky a push, she had it all figured out by herself.

She even got creative with different ways to go down the hills.

celebrating 60 years

Valentine's Day was my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. They decided they wanted to renew their wedding vows. They did that at the very church they got married at 60 years ago, in a snowstorm! It was a beautiful day. So neat to see them so in love after all those years together. Kaitlyn, Becca, and Becky got to be a part of the ceremony. They lit a candle for my mom. They loved it because they got to wear their fancy Christmas dresses again!

they needed just a little help from the pastor to get it lit

the loving couple, Peggy and Elbert

restating their vows to each other

the girls posing by the candle

the happy couple again

a picture of what they have accomplished in 60 years, minus all the family from California who couldn't make it

We had a dinner in honor of them at the Windrow in Creston. It was nice to all be together.

cutting the cake

opening presents

It truly was a fabulous day, and so wonderful to be able to celebrate this with them. I can only hope that Al and I will someday make it to 60 years. Wow!

Valentine's Day

Becky and I drove down to Mt. Ayr on Saturday so we could avoid the snow Sunday morning. She was very excited to open her present as soon as she woke up. And true to form, it was, "Just what I wanted!"

her new "lifejacket" from Grandpa and Grandma

another weekend gone

Not much to report on our end. We enjoyed another somewhat lazy weekend in Des Moines. Becky went over to Emma's house to play and Al and I went on a date. That was nice. Thanks Sarah and Vicky! Larry and Donna came to visit on Saturday and we did some eating and some shopping and playing with them. It's always so nice to see them. Becky told me after they left, "I just miss Grandma and Grandpa so much." Today was sitting around watching the snow fall again, wondering how much we were going to get and eating snacks while watching the Super Bowl. That's always fun to do. And I know this year Al won't be sick all night and have to go to the emergency room and have his appendix out tomorrow. Been there, done that! Gosh, was that really two years ago? Tomorrow it's back to the normal week, I guess. At least we got to enjoy a little bit of our weekend instead of running around crazy.

new doll

Becky, like most of the rest of us, couldn't wait to spend her Christmas money. She saw a commercial on TV that had a doll that could walk and stand up on its own. She knew she had to have it. We found it for half price after Christmas. She has had so much fun playing with it. It's pretty cool what it can do. Al and I are just hoping it doesn't turn into Chucky!

Here it is walking after it stood up all by itself. Wow!