Shopping

It was a girls shopping trip and we ran into Tessa.  Wow - they are dressed like twins.  

Snow Day

School was cancelled due to snow and bad roads today.  What do you do when there is no school, lots of snow and it's almost 40 degrees outside? 

Poster Contest

Allyson participated in a Water Conservation Poster Contest and was so excited to get chosen as 2nd place for her school.  She was thrilled with the red ribbon and $5 she received.

The poster theme was "Where Does Your Watershed?".  Dad and Allyson worked together to come up with an idea.   Way to go Allyson - so proud of you! 

Church Notes

These are a couple notes that my kids made during church this morning.  

April Ice Storm

Tuesday morning, we woke up to rain - it rained most of the day, and late afternoon about the time we were coming home from work/school, it started to freeze.  

Wednesday morning, we woke up to lots of ice...

We had a 2 hour late start on Wednesday, and then Wednesday night about 8:30, it began to snow.  Thursday school was cancelled.  We got about 5 inches of snow at our house.  The kids enjoyed playing outside and making snowmen during their time off of school.  

Here is a picture of my parents rental house - an ice/snow covered tree limb fell off and damaged this car.  

Because of all the ice on the trees, there were many branches/tree limbs broken off trees.  What a mess to clean up.  

Shattered by Dani Pettrey

Shattered by Dani Pettrey

Alaskan Courage Book 2

Piper McKenna is convinced her brother Reef, is innocent in a murder case that he is suspected as the killer. She needs to not only find the evidence to prove her brother is innocent, but also find a way to work together with Deputy Landon Grainger.  Landon has been a close friend of the McKenna family for years, but feels torn in what to do when further information that could help the case becomes known.  

The murder of a young snowboarder, Karli, happens at a lodge in Reef's home town in Alaska.  Reef and Karli both compete in snow sports and are in town for a competition.   

As the McKenna family team together to find out more information about the murder, Piper goes on her own to investigate and help prove her brother's innocence.  

After taking a leave from his law enforcement job, Piper and Landon follow the leads they have into Canada in hopes of finding the proof they need.  While talking with other snowboarding competitors, trainers, and other people that knew Karli, they find themselves in some dangerous situations.  Whoever killed Karli is also after Landon and Piper.  Can they find the evidence they need to prove Reef's innocence before the killer gets them?  As they get closer to the truth, and various attempts on their lives, they find themselves trapped in an avalanche.  If they can survive this, will they be able to prove what they have found?  

I loved book 1, Submerged,  in this series, so when I had the opportunity to review the second book, I jumped at the chance.  I was familiar with the McKenna family from book 1, but would say you certainly wouldn't have to read the first book to be able to enjoy this one.  I see that the next book in this series is scheduled to release this Fall.  I will be sure to read that one as soon as it is available.  If you love romantic suspense, christian fiction books, you will love this!

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.   

First Run of the Season

For my first 5k of the season, I ran the Spring Thaw 5k in Sioux City on April 6.  

It was cold, rainy and windy.  

Despite the weather conditions, it was a fun race with a great bunch of ladies.

We went to Panera Bread after to get some good food and warm up.

Pulled Teeth

Miss Allyson had 4 teeth pulled on Tuesday.  There were a few tears, but she did so well.  

Allyson picked out this stuffed animal from her favorite store Justice.  

His name is Boo - but she thought he should be called "Chewy".  

Easter pic

It's not every Easter that we get a picture will the entire family.  We had an extra special person in the photo this year - Broc's God-father was visiting for the weekend.   

Easter Weekend

We kicked off Easter weekend with an egg hunt at the nursing home that Grandma Mary used to work at.  She was asked to sing "Jesus Loves Me" to get things started.

 There were games for each age group.  Caden got into the games.  Allyson didn't want to participate.

 Posing with Grandma Mary and the Easter bunny

 Grandma Mary showed the kids how to make bunny cars

Easter baskets were personalized chocolate eggs and bug catchers.

Grandma and Caden sharing his egg.