Project redo

We bought this at an auction a couple years ago.  Ever since I bought it I've wanted to lighten it.  So, I finally did it.  

And I love it!!  

 

Kory is Pregnant/Kyle helps me cook/Tyler Headed to NC

Today was just an average day--me cooking dinner with my pregnant son.  Actually, the boys were excited because the got news that they could practice football.  They went back for three days and then had to take two weeks off because someone came to practice and then tested positive for COVID.  We'll see how this season goes...again...if it happens.  I appreciate every time Kyle helps me cook.  He enjoys being in the kitchen and does a good job helping.  His wife will be very lucky.  And we need to feed Kory because him and that ball, I mean baby, are  getting hangry.  

Also, tonight Tyler got his temporary reassignment to Raleigh, NC.   The boys were excited because that is where Michael Jordan is from.  He'll be in Raleigh until he can get his clearance to go to Ecuador.  He's excited to see the area and taste the food.    

 

Home MTC

Tyler got word that he'll not be entering the MTC, but rather he will do his MTC training here from home.  Today he got his MTC material.  I'm sure he's a little disappointed with not being able to go to the actual MTC, but he's being a trooper.  I hope we can make our home an atmosphere where the spirit can allow a missionary to grow.  Kind of hard when the rest of us will be doing our normal thing.  But, we will make it work.  

 

Senior Football Photos.

Kyle got his senior football picture proofs back.  Kyle LOVES football.  Can't believe he is a senior and sure hope them get a season this year.  At this point we are all hoping for the best, but honestly...we don't know.  Covid has't go away and we haven't gotten word as to if school with start as normal, or if they will cancel the season!  I am hopeful, but worried.  

 

Seriously?

 

Mammy and Grandpop came to Visit

We always get excited when Mammy and Grandpop come to visit.  We enjoyed our time together and are thankful they made the long journey even with COVID restrictions.  After a walk around a lake we were all thirsty, so it made sense to head to Sonic for half price drinks.  We sat on the lawn and enjoyed our time together.  I believe this was also the day Brianna got her mission call.  She'll be going to Chilli!  We are excited for her.  She found out while we were talking a walk.  Tyler listened in by phone as she was in Utah when she got the call. 

Makai's personality came though today.  He didn't get the drink he ordered.  We told him he could go ask for a different drink--so he did.  That takes a bold personality to do something like that.  I'd just deal with what I got, but Makai walked right up to someone and explained the situation and got the drink he wanted.  I admire his courage. 
 

While my parents were here Tyler was able to be set apart as an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Because of COVID we did it at home and a member of the High Council Zoomed in as a witness.  It was a special experience and I'm thankful my dad was able to be a part of it.  It's starting to feel more and more real that Tyler will be leaving here soon! (He's growing his hair out until he HAS to cut it.)

Tyler being a good sport and getting a back of ice dumped on his head.  We went to a park on Friday night to play basketball and ride bikes.  The weather was actually pretty nice--a little warm, but not bad. 
Mammy poured the bag on him and he took it like a stud.  I love when he lives on the wild side.  Haha. 
 

There is a bike ride across from this park that Monty and I love to bike around.  Every time we do I think of my parents and wish they could ride.  I remember growing up my parents always rode bikes and this ride is so beautiful and fun with the fireflies and lake and green grass.  I highly encouraged my parents to ride around the lake so excited for them to experience something I've thought about.  Sometimes it really hard living far away from family because you don't get to enjoy things together.  This was something I thought they would really enjoy.  

Makai found a little buddy while we waited for Mammy and Grandpop to ride around the lake.  We were actually enjoy our time, but I started to worry because my parents should have been back by this time.  I kept praying they would be safe.  It turned out they had gotten turned around during the ride and ended up going to wrong way.  I think I was so excited for them to ride I forgot to tell them it was just a circle.  My mom was worried about how long they were taking and just wanted to get back in case anyone else wanted to ride.  That is when I felt bad because I realized they didn't enjoy it because they were just worried they were being a bother, but I just really wanted them to enjoy it!!  When they got back to the truck they both looked so tired.  My Dad got off his bike and acted like it was fun, but my mom stopped, and then when I asked her how it was she just looked at me with a blank stare.  I asked her again, "Mom, did you have fun?"  She just looked at me.  She asked if she needed water and she just kind of moaned.  I grabbed her around her body and held her as I noticed she was starting to slouch.  I called Tyler over to help me and he was also helping me, but she wasn't talking, and was obviously very weak.  She wasn't talking and I was worried if she lost all her leg strength I wouldn't be able to keep her standing.  I called Monty over and he came to help.  He took her around her body, picked her up off the bike and together with Tyler they just held her up.  We kept asking if she wanted to sit down and we were only met with moans, not words.  After what seemed like several minutes, but probably was less we moved her over to the truck bed.  She sat on the bed of the truck until eventually she started talking again.  The first thing she said was something like, "So what should we do for dinner.  Dad and I were wanting to take you guys to Olive Garden."  UM...Seriously MOM!!  The last thing I was thinking about was food!  I really thought my mom had just had a stroke, but turns out it was just fatigue.  It was warm and she'd ridden hard and they don't ride bikes anymore.  I felt horrible!!  I cried to whole way home vowing I'd never ask my parents to ever ride bikes again.  I was very thankful she was okay, but it was a scary moment I don't want to relive.  We were blessed she was okay.  Oh, and to make things worse on the drive home I noticed her pants had some grass stains, only to learn that on the ride she had fallen.  Epic fail on my part.    

The next day we went downtown to take them to Block 16, a restaurant we enjoy with very unique sandwiches that happen to be very good.  While downtown we saw the destruction from the rioting a few weeks prior.  It was sad to see shops we've enjoyed all boarded up and Black Lives Matter signs everywhere.  

After lunch we stopped and got some ice cream!  Who doesn't love an ice cream on a nice warm day!  

And we took Mom and Dad to the pedestrian bridge where you can stand in Nebraska and Iowa at the same time.  It was a hot day, but the bridge was pleasant with a nice breeze.  We spent the time trying to fling pennies onto the bridge beams and have them stick instead of fall into the water below.  I wonder how many pennies are in that River.  No wonder there is a coin shortage!  2020 has been hysterical!  

Right before the trip ended we traveled to an apple orchard.  My mom wanted to get a picture of the boys here, but Makai was the only one to play along.  The things he'll do for a shaved ice! 
 

The apples were not quite ripe and the heat and humidity was rough.  But we enjoyed a short walk.  Grandpop got a little light headed.  This midwest life takes come getting used to.  

Classic Midwest Grandparent photo!  

We went to Winter Quarters and then took my parents to the airport.  We appreciated their visit.  Although we couldn't do a whole lot, but enjoyed our time together.  

My Mom is always so thoughtful and left some apple cider doughnuts in the car to surprise us along with some Mango Salsa and Cobbler mix.  Obviously, they were enjoyed.    

 

Fourth of July

One thing we love about Nebraska is the way they celebrate the Fourth of July.  Growing up we never had many fireworks because they were pretty much illegal, but in Nebraska--they love their fireworks.  This year didn't disappoint.  We went to a lookout Monty and I found on a bike ride and watched the Fireworks till we'd seen all we wanted to see.  A couple of the boys rode bikes around the lake while the rest of us talked and enjoyed everyone else blow up their money!  It was quite a show.