Minnesota

We snuck a very quick trip up to MN to see family.  It's hard to be away anytime but to be forced apart because of coronavirus sucked.  The adults still did a great job keeping their distance.  Dogs and kids not so much but boy were our hearts full after seeing everyone!  We drove up Friday night, spent the night at Sara's parents.  On Saturday drove up to Jim and Annie's and hung out in the garage and ordered pizza while it rained.  We left as the sun came out around 3:20pm and headed to Jeff and Dawn's where we sat outside and watched the kids play capture the flag, soccer and danced.  We enjoyed a yummy grilled meal and did a Member's Mark wine taste test with them.  Then got back to Sara's parents around 9:15pm.  It was a toss up whether we would drive back on Sunday or Monday but we just felt like it would be best to get on the road.  But we had to time the storms so it worked for Jim and family to come down and have an early lunch before we headed off around 1:15.  We timed it perfectly and avoided a bunch of storms.  Thanks for the COVID memories family.  It was worth every second of the 18 hours in the car to see y'all.  Hopefully hugs next time!!!!

Where was Toby you ask?  Hanging at Uncle Michael's!  Always nice to get a pic of our doggies when we are away!!

Mrs. Danenhauer Best Teacher Ever!

Trevor had absolutely the best year because of Mrs. Danenhauer. He gets choked up thinking about not having her as his teacher again. She was everything his sensitive heart needed and pushed him to excel in school in a way that made him want to. He will never forget 4th grade!

One day he won a Sonic drink of his choice because of all his hard work on Dreambox during distance learning. She asked what he wanted (he had never had one before but chose a Dr. Pepper) and she brought it over and they got to chat and chat. Made his day!

Then today on the day before the last day of school, Mrs. Danenhauer came and placed a sign in our yard and gave Trevor a big old hug (his first non-family hug since March 13!!!!) and gave him an award for graduating 4th grade and elementary school.  He was also given the Almond Joy award from his classmates for kindness to all and always having a smile.  Our hearts bursted with pride.  His too!

Bye Durango, Hello Escalade

Sara's car had become unreliable with a strange transmission clunking once in a while and given we will only be doing car trips instead of plane trips we figured it was time to look at something different.  After passing on the Range Rover this Fall Mommy knew she wanted a bigger SUV and she fell in love with Matt's Escalade when we went to the Vikings game in Dallas so we started the hunt.  Meanwhile Daddy did an amazing job selling Mommy's car to a local dealership for $14,500!!!!  Pretty amazing for a 2014 with 96,500 miles!!!!  And Mommy found her Escalade here in town (after coming from Woodland Hills, CA) - a certified pre-owned with 18,000 miles.  It was priced right and Daddy even found additional money off through his work!  Mommy had fun negotiating the extended warranty and we were done!   The day after getting it we took it on a fun road trip to MN!  It's the most perfect fancy car!!! We love it!!

Purging

In order to fit Mama's new big rig in the garage it was time to purge some things that we not longer have been using!  Bye-bye stuff!

Last Day with Eli :(

Since COVID we have been pretty strict quarantining in our house as a family to stay safe for a quick trip to MN to see family if it works out.  So when we learned that Trevor's best friend Eli was moving a month earlier than expected (again due to COVID) and they had also been quarantining pretty well, the Moms agreed for them to have one last play date (outside only) the day before they moved.  It was everything the boys needed.  So much laughter and talking and playing.  A day they won't forget!  Luckily, Eli's family will be coming back from time to time because his grandparents live here!  Will definitely be good to see him again soon!  (Not pictured but Trevor gifted Eli a few of his favorite matchbox cars that he played with when he was over so that he would remember him.  Such sweet boys)

Pie in the Face Fun!

Pretty sure they just wanted to eat more loads of whip cream but we brought out the Pie in the Face game and had lots of giggles waiting for the click sound LOL

Daddy even got in on the fun!

Trevor was very apprehensive but eventually got down and did it.  And ENJOYED it!!!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas out there!  What a special day for us all to reflect on how blessed we are.  It isn't the easiest job but it is definitely rewarding.  We kicked the day off with some 'cake' and presents and a yummy breakfast!  Then Mommy played upstairs with Ashley while Daddy napped (LOLOLOLOL) and then our friends Megan and Brad came over for a social distancing wine and cheese time since we couldn't do our normal tradition at Tontitown Winery.  We finished the day with chats with both sets of parents outside in the gorgeous weather and that was a wrap!  Thanks for the special day Babes!

Haircuts finally

Hair salons were allowed to open with restrictions this past week and luckily Sara's person Jaton got her in first before anyone else!!  Sara's grey hairs desperately needed help so she was so so thankful to get in!  Before: 

After!

Trevor and Ashley both got in with Conley who recently moved back.  Big clean-up for Trevor and 3" off for Ashley!

Hard to see but it brushes so much better now!!  

Brian you ask?  He's doing his own hair cuts!  Surprised we don't have a picture.  He didn't do too bad at all.  It was just very short!

Happy 40th Birthday JR!

For Jim's 40th birthday we gave him quite the surprise with a big treat in his yard.  Apparently Annie knew right away it was our doing but we stayed silent about it all day.  How is Sara's baby brother 40?!?!  We are old. LOL

Mark and Hannah Moving Pics

Mark and Hannah around the corner are moving back to Toronto so a bunch of neighbors went in for Mark's birthday to get a professional photographer to capture memories of their friendship.  :). Turned out great!! They were taken in February (pre-COVID obviously!) and these are just a few :)