May Days

 I'm not big on traditions, probably because of Paul's ever changing schedule and my joy found in flexibility, but making May Day baskets is one thing we've done for three years now! The kids love this activity and remind me every year!  It was rainy this year, but that didn't stop them from delivering to their neighbor friends.

Jace had his spring preschool program.  He was a bit nervous beforehand, but he was brave, got up there on those risers, and did a wonderful job!  We are so thankful for this preschool and its awesome teachers that provide such a fun and safe place to learn!

Paul participated in the 2nd annual Nerf Gun Tournament which is a fundraiser for CHI, Community Health Initiative for Haiti.  Their team won last year so we decided to check it out this time.  This year they included several "kids teams" made up of girls and boys aged 10-14.  And they were good!  Paul's team ended up getting beat by one of the kids teams which ended their run and fun in the tournament.  Ruby, Jace, and Annie enjoyed watching and playing in the dandelion field behind us.

Jace and Ruby both participated in soccer again this spring.  The fields are just across the street from our house, so it makes a perfect outing for us after supper on two nights a week.

John and Monica, friends from church, came to watch Ruby and Lauren one night!

The free little library near our house has added a second library for kids books!  Yay!

We visited the Pizza Farm near Wellman, IA for the second time.  Stonewall Pizza is a great place that we highly recommend!  

We did the rides at Lower City Park!  Annie proved that a year really makes a difference...last year she hated rides!  This year...pure joy!

 Ellie girl came with us!

Lots of outdoor fun and messes... I watched this whole thing unfold.  And they went straight to the bathtub afterwards.  

We had some hot days in May, which FINALLY allowed us to have a neighborhood water balloon fight.  They had only been asking since February.  Ruby and Jace went door to door and announced the time for the water balloon fight.  We used several of the new water balloons that self tie... so convenient!  We also tied several ourselves.  We had a great turnout for about 5 minutes of fun!  Ha!

Mother's Day.  Beyond thankful for these three crazy, sweet kids.  

Trips to the Fossil Gorge.

Jace and Asher ran through lots of huge puddles... or small ponds!  They giggled like crazy.  Jace finally took a good tumble, which resulted in a small hand injury and soaking wet clothes!  Luckily, I had two shirts on so he got to wear one of mine home!

One Sunday, we took a trip to the Maquoketa Caves.  Ruby remembered going two years earlier and had asked several times to return.  We had a great time and got pretty muddy!

We found a 50's diner in the middle of nowhere on the way home, that proved to be the perfect place for lunch!  It was complete with real milkshakes and a black and white checkered dance floor!

May was a great month with hot temps and lots of outdoor fun!

Tulip Time

 In May, we headed to Tulip Time in Pella for the first time since we've had kids.  The weather was great and we had a very fun day.

The obligatory tulip picture ;)

We took in the afternoon parade with Great Grandpa John and Great Grandma Dorothy who were decked out in full Dutch costumes. 

And Tulip Time would not be complete without some sort of pastry.   Our children chose funnel cakes instead of one of the delicious bakery treats, but they enjoyed them nonetheless.

Sydney and Ruby found Grandma Ruth in the past Tulip Queen display case.

Hartzell clan in Phoenix!

In April we made a trip to Phoenix to see Hattie and Brandon!  The whole family got to go this time and we met my parents and my brother's family in Phoenix as well.  Our vacation started out a bit rocky but quickly turned around and we all had a wonderful time!

 Our flight was to depart at 8pm but was delayed an hour.  Then we were able to board the plane only to find out that something still wasn't quite right with the airplane.  So everyone had to get off...with all their luggage.  We then sat another hour in the airport. 

 We finally took off around 10:30.  It was Jace and Annie's first time flying and they did great!

We made it to the rental car booth just in time before they closed for the night.  We stayed at Hattie and Brandon's apartment the first night.  With the two hour time difference we got to their place about 1:00am Phoenix time (which was 3am central time), but kids did wonderful.

Happy to play with Autzen in the morning!

We then hopped back in the car and took a road trip to Sedona.  On the way, Annie threw up in her carseat...yep, just as lovely as it sounds... I was immediately thinking our trip was ruined and everyone was going to get the stomach flu.  Fortunately, we think she just got carsick as she bounced back right away, had a good lunch, and no one else got sick!  Hallelujah!  

After our trip to Sedona, we were able to check into our rental house for the remainder of the trip.

My parents and brother's family were to arrive the night after we arrived.  However, they also had flight troubles.  They were first delayed from 10:30pm to 1:45am.  We were trying to figure out how and who was going to pick them up from the airport because the car rental place would be closed when they flew in.  However, before we had anything figured out, their flight was cancelled until the following day at 1:30pm.  So... they missed a half day of vacation.

Thankfully, they made it safely the next afternoon.  And vacation was smooth sailing after that!!!

Reunited!  and LOVING the pool!

The house and pool were perfect for our family and we spent a lot of time swimming and eating outside!  The weather was absolutely beautiful in the morning and evenings.  It was quite warm in the afternoon so it was perfect pool weather!

We celebrated my parent's birthdays the first evening they were there.   

 And more pool time!

We drove up South Mountain. 

We hiked Camelback!  My mom and Paul stayed back with Palmer and Annie and the rest of us braved the hike with a 6 year old and two 4 year olds!  And they did awesome!  

We found a lot of lizards!  And were warned about a rattlesnack....but luckily didn't run into it!

This hike was not easy for the littles!  But I was so proud of them and we made it to the top!  Lots of rock climbing and big steps!  Jace made it a good 3/4 of the way to the top without too much help.  

The TOP!

Uncle Brandon carried Jace down the entire way.  I think we might still be there if he would've done it himself!  Ha!  Thank you, Uncle Brandon!  I think we owe you!  

Ruby did the entire thing all by herself!  Such a champ!  She got lots of compliments from people we passed and she actually said, "I'm kinda tired of saying 'thank you'!" Needless to say, I wasn't the only one impressed by her climbing skills!  

We cooled off at the pool!  And Autzen got to come say HI!

We played some dominos!

And had ice cream sundaes!

We had such a fun time together and look forward to future trips together!