May 2020

Days with Jim at home to help with distance learning were great!  He took the kids out to the screen porch to work on PE one afternoon.

We decided to ride bikes on a newly re-opened trail.  Thinking it might be crowded, we all wore masks.

It was fun to see the Clydesdales on our ride.

We drove to Don Robinson State Park for a hike and change of scenery one day.

Jim and I "went out" for the first time one evening. We went to his brother's house and sat outside and played music.

Our sweet neighbors gave us the bounce house that their children have outgrown.

We love to play outside when the weather is nice.

Gingerbread houses are usually made in December, but during quarantine you sometimes assemble them in May.

I had the biggest surprise the night before my birthday.  My running group scheduled a zoom to celebrate my birthday.  Little did I know that they were actually coming over to celebrate on our patio!  It was sooooo good to see them.  Most of them I hadn't actually seen in over 2 months!

My friend Lauren gave me this great tumbler for my birthday.  I use it almost everyday.  Sometimes it holds an adult drink, sometimes iced coffee, sometimes just water, but it always makes the drink more enjoyable.

Maggie looks forward to the Daddy-Daughter Dance all year.  Unfortunately, it was canceled this spring. Jim did not want to disappoint his favorite daughter, so he brought the dance to her! 

They put on their fancy clothes.

I prepared a special meal for them.

They took pictures on the porch.

They danced in the den (with balloons)!

Jim, Paul, and Jeff decided to have a porch concert one weekend.  We invited the neighbors to come by and listen to music on our front lawn.

It was a beautiful day and everyone was excited for a chance to be "normal" again.

Some friends rode bikes over to listen.

My parents came and enjoyed the music.

Uncle Matt and Aunt Sue came also.

Jim's parents enjoyed the show (and their talented sons).

These boys did a good job at social distancing.

While kindergarten graduation didn't happen as planned this year, Maggie did dress up in the graduation cap and gown for pictures.  The school made a slideshow of all the graduates.

Jack was a little envious of the tumbler Lauren gave me.

After canceling 3 vacations, we were anxious for a change of scenery. We booked a cabin in rural Missouri for 2 nights. On the way to the cabin, we stopped at a gravel bar and the kids had a blast playing in the water.  They enjoyed climbing on the branch that went out over the water.  Charlie fell off the branch and landed in the water. He didn't mind.

Here's a video of Charlie on the branch (not the first time he fell):

Jack and Patrick brought their hammocks to the cabin. They started in them each night, but came in when it started raining.  The hammocks also provided lots of fun for the rest of us.

S'mores were a must!

We went to Maramec Spring Park and hiked. The kids were excited to be back. We came once about a year and a half before and they remembered having fun.

Check out this Powerhouse!

Dad will show them how it's done.

Hmmm...I think this Powerhouse will be even stronger the next time we come!

We saw the trout hatchery.

I took this picture of some leaves I arranged.

On our way home from the cabin, we stopped at St. Francois State Park. After having a picnic lunch, we went on a hike.  The trail was thick with mud.  After about a quarter mile, we decided to turn around.

My friend Nancy does birthday bike rides with her friends. They ride their age in miles. Months ago she asked if I would be interested.  At the end of May, Nancy, two other friends, and I rode 43 miles to celebrate my birthday.  It was a lot of fun!

The porch concert at our house was so fun, the other group Jim plays music with wanted to do it at one of their houses as well.  It was another beautiful weekend for music on a front lawn.

Jim's sister was in town and joined them on "stage."

Jim and his siblings played Crying Time for their Dad.  He had requested they learn the song months ago, and they surprised him with it that afternoon.  You can see the video here: https://youtu.be/XVTWs3uyTk8