virtually amazing piano recital

We held off for half a year of not having piano lessons before I went online to find a virtual option.  I didn't have high expectations, thinking that much would be lost through video.  To the contrary, we stumbled upon a very talented teacher who utilizes the online format beautifully.  Lydia loves her teacher, and I love the convenience.  I think this is one thing we will stick with beyond the pandemic.

A virtual recital was held in May.  I didn't want to be a distraction during the live event, so I videoed her "dress rehearsal".  

Enjoy!

anniversary...weekend!

Bryan and I got away for a full weekend to celebrate our 18th anniversary.  The last time we were away from the kids for two nights was in 2017 when we went to San Francisco.  This time we only road-tripped a couple hours away. But it was a very enjoyable getaway.  

We stayed at a little resort tucked away on a little lake.  It markets itself as a wedding venue but fortunately there wasn't a wedding while we were there.  It was very quiet with only a few other guests around.  Our room looked right out on the lake.  I loved watching the fog dissolve with the morning sun, the sunsets, and a cormorant doing some fishing.  We heard a loon but didn't see it.  We did some scenic driving, hiking, touristy shopping, and sampling at a couple local breweries.  All things I love except the breweries, which were because Bryan was with me. 😉  I did enjoy sitting outside lakeside and eating food I didn't cook!

Also, the good company.  I hit the jackpot on that one! 💗

mother's day

 It was a very special Mother's Day because we got to spend it with my mom (and dad)!  

We hadn't seen them since the 4th of July.  They brought their RV and stayed a few days.  It was great to have them tag along to all of our activities.

Grandpa helped Reggie warm up his pitching arm, and schooled Lydia and Reggie in chess - even when they teamed up against him!

It was perfect weather for doing some "tailgating" before Reggie's game - see my instant pot?  We had chili!

Here is a cute story about my parents' dogs.  This is their 3rd Shih Tzu.  The first one was named Shelbe, and we got her when I was in middle school.  At the time, my oldest nephews were toddlers and couldn't say my parents' last name, so they called them "Grandma and Grandpa Shelbe".  Well, the name stuck, and the tradition continued.  But by the time I had kids (grandkids #9, #11, and #12), Shelbe had died and her predecessor was Sitka.  "Grandma and Grandpa Shelbe" didn't make any sense to them, so they call my parents "Grandma and Grandpa Sitka"!  Well, Sitka died about a year and a half ago, and now they have Gracie.  But my kids are sticking with G'ma and G'pa Sitka.  Now, my parents have three little GREAT grandbabies.  I wonder if they will call them Grandma and Grandpa Gracie!?

Frozen 5k

The kids ran in a 5k fundraiser for Special Olympics with our friend Bonnie.  They started training at the beginning in February and it took more work than they expected!  To help keep them motivated, Bryan and I donated $5 for every two mile run and $10 for every three mile run, up to $100 each.

Brett made a banner for the occasion. The night before the event, the kids thought we should carb-load, so I made million dollar mac-n-cheese.

In the morning, Bonnie came by to watch the opening events (virtual) and we unveiled the grand total raised - $1,463! That's for six of us, because Bryan and I entered and walked the 5k. But the kids raised most of the money!

It turned out to be a beautiful middle of April morning in Minnesota.  We were not quite frozen - it was 34 degrees!

We went in pairs.  Reggie and Lydia finished in 32 minutes, Brett and Bonnie finished in 42 minutes, and Bryan and I walked it in 48 minutes!  After the 5k, we stopped at Kwik Trip for breakfast - that was Brett's favorite part.