90.365 {2017}

This spring break we decided to do something out of the ordinary and travel somewhere other than Iowa.  We happened to find very inexpensive flights direct from Chicago to some destinations in Europe and my caveat was that it had to be some place we have never been.  Scotland was a country we both have wanted to visit!  We flew into Heathrow and took a train from Kings Cross Station to Edinburgh which took about 4 hours.  It took us by some very scenic areas in Northern England and by the coastal cities of Tweed and Newcastle.  We decided to splurge for first class and so we had some very nice comfy seats, meals, drinks and snacks on our trip. 

We had to stop at Platform 9 3/4 for a photo op!

Our train was delayed for a bit and the girls look super enthused.

We finally arrived in Edinburgh at 7:30 and took a taxi to our apartment at the Knights Residence.  

It was a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment and very well equipped.  They had even placed milk and juice in the fridge, had a loaf of bread on the counter and a basketful of snacks and cereals for breakfast tomorrow!  It was SO nice.

84.365 {2017} The Lion King Jr

 We are so proud of our little lioness in the Lion King Jr performance at her elementary.  The kids were amazing!  The costumes, makeup and set were fantastic.  The dedication, time and energy put into this performance by the kids, parents, adults and teachers was unbelievable.  I just loved every minute and was blown away by the kids and talent.  We enjoyed watching our lioness shine.  

81.365 {2017}

First grade and "homework".  Juliette can navigate programs faster than I could as a college freshman.

79.365 {2017}

Of course we get a massive hail storm right at school dismissal!  The ground was white with marble sized hail.  

77.365 {2016}

Time that my girls look forward to every year...spring time in Iowa.

 Grandpa has downsized not only his sheep herd but this year for the first time in a very long time, there are no pigs.

 oh, these sweet sweet lambie faces!

 The girls were so eager to help...Grandpa called Isabelle over to help with tagging the lambs.

 Grandpa was teasing the girls earlier on where their tail went when they were born.

 A friendly one taking a nibble on Isabelle's fingers.

 Isabelle is the center of attention!

 Meanwhile, this dog-loving girl finds sweet Sadie lying in the grass.

Isabelle, Allie and I helped Grandpa catch, band and give shots to dozens of lambs, move lambs and the ewes and bed the barn.  They were so timid in the beginning but by the end were catching and wrangling all sizes and bringing them over.  They absolutely loved it...and I enjoyed being able to help too.  I spent a lot of my childhood being my dad's helper.  It wasn't easy but now as an adult I can look back with gratitude of being taught discipline, serving and life on the farm.

 Juliette had to get some cuddles in too!

 End of winter Iowa sunsets, empty fields, wagons and scattered equipment ready for spring planting and the harvest that will eventually be here before we know it.

 Some of their cousins were able to spend the night and it is just such a fun time for them.  We had Casey's pizza and Dilly bars from DQ!