Memorial Day Weekend plus more

This is how Memorial Day Weekend started......



But then Ben ran out of andydrous tanks and couldn't get more tanks until Tuesday because of the holiday weekend. So we decided to make a quick trip to Washington for my niece's 3rd birthday party and put flowers on my moms gravestone.

The boys did some fishing at the pond

Ryan caught a couple fish

Then played with a snake thanks to Uncle Greg

When we got back from Washington we just worked around the house, planted the garden, mowed, etc.

On Thursday, Jenn and the kids came up to visit. It was a blast. Jenn and I got to chat and the kids were able to play together all day. I know Ryan's favorite part was the mud fun.

Poor Maddy!
We had beautiful weather on Friday. So we spent most of the day outside. In the morning we went to Moore Memorial Park in Ames with our playgroup. Stayed a couple of hours. Ryan brought his bike along to the park. It is hard to ride it around the farm because everything is gravel and grass. So he took advantage of the paved paths in the park.

Ryan, Aiden and Jaden

Ryan and Aiden climbing trees

Friday night Ben, Ryan and I headed over to Maxwell for a fundraising fun night that a group of moms were hosting. They had inflatables and food. Ryan had a great time. We just enjoyed spending the evening outside with the Travis family.

Ryan and Treyton on the Lightning McQueen slide

Anna first introduced us to these jumbo hot dogs at her boys birthday party last year. The moms group were serving them at the fundraiser. I am not a big hot dog fan but these are so yummy! We have to buy some for ourselves this year. You can get them at Golly's Meat Locker in Maxwell. As you can tell, Ryan loves them also.

Had our first "campfire" last night. I wish we were really camping but we settled for a fire at Ben's parents house. We roasted hot dogs ( not the yummy ones) and had smores. Here is Ry watching the fire. Something neat to do...take a piece of copper piping and stuff it with stripes of hose (like a garden hose - we had a ruined one from last year - hit it with the mower). Place it in the fire and it makes cool looking colors in the fire.

A week of "endings"

Ryan had his last soccer game. He really enjoyed soccer this spring. He will be old enough to play soccer in Story City in the fall so that will be nice. No more traveling.

Last MOPS meeting at the church. This was Ryan Moppets class. Ryan will be in school next year so no more MOPS for him. He is going to miss it.



Preschool program was Monday night. Ryan did a good job. He actually sang this year. Plus made a few comments to the audience inbetween songs. I have a video so I might try uploading that at a later date. Grandma/Grandpa Johnson and Nana/Papa (my grandparents) were with us to show their support for Ryan which I truly appreciate. It was a litte tough for me to see Ryan receive his preschool diploma. I find myself saying on a regular basis..."where has the time gone?"

Top row; fifth from the right

End of the Year Preschool Picnic

The kids played at the park then rode the carousel and played some games. After all the fun...ate lunch. We had beautiful weather.

Preschool ended with Ryan's teachers giving him a hug and wishing him well in kindergarten. Aaawww.

Catch Up Time

It always boggles my mind that time can pass by so quickly. I feel like I just updated this blog but to my surprise it has been 3 weeks. I guess time flies when you are having fun, right??

Field Work Began then came to a grinding stop
The guys got the fields cultivated, liquid end put on and most of the corn planted until we were drenched with 3 inches of rain. It keeps raining on and off so they haven't been back to the fields yet. BUT as I type Ben is out there trying to rework a field so maybe they will be back in business tomorrow. They need to finish a couple hundred acres of corn then onto soybeans.





My First Weekend Away
I took my first little weekend trip by myself since Ryan was born 4.5 years ago. Myself, Jenn, my friend Julie, Julie's sister and Julie's mom enjoyed 3 days of scrapbooking at a Bed & Breakfast in Blue Earth, MN. I managed to get 8 or 9 pages done. Almost done with Ryan's 1 year old album. Only 3 more years to go. I think I need many more scrapbooking weekends. I had a really great time!

Here is Jenn! The photo of me scrapbooking is to dark to post.

Are you wondering how Ben and Ryan did for the whole weekend while I scrapbooked? They did great and everyone survived but this is the new toy that was purchased while mama was gone.....I wonder why they waited until I was out of town??



I have to admit, Ryan does a really good job driving his new go-kart. He hasn't hit anything yet and it is really hard to tip over since it is so low to the ground. I don't know how a 4 year old can drive so well plus manage the accelerator and brake.



Soccer
Ryan is playing spring soccer. The game has finally clicked for him. He is doing GREAT since figuring out how the game is supposed to be played. On Monday he scored 5 goals and Thursday he scored 3 goals. Very proud of him. It is fun to watch his focus and determination on the field.



Girls Only
A few of my fellow moms and I went to the Girls Only show last week. It was pretty funny. I laughed through the whole show. I truly enjoyed hanging out with these girls. It was a nice night.


Last Preschool Fieldtrip
I was able to go with Ryan on his last preschool fieldtrip. We went on a nature hike at McFarland Park in Ames. What made it more interesting for me is that the hike was guided by naturalist so I learned a few little things here and there. One of my favorite fieldtrips. Two more weeks of preschool then off for the summer. Next year.....kindergarten.

Ryan is in the front row with an orange coat on. They are listening to the naturalist.

Happy Mother's Day
We had a nice day. I made cinnamon rolls and we took them over to Ben's mom this morning. This afternoon we went and toured the new USDA building in Ames (along the interstate). Donna's department will be moving to the new building this summer. It is BIG and will be a nice place to work. After the tour we went to visit Ben's grandma. A great visit to end a nice day. I love being a mom.