Spring Break

Well, last week was Spring Break here at the college where we are working/living. We had planned a family vacation to Florida during the week. . . a chance to get a way together, go to the beach again with stop and the way there and back to see some dear friends in AL.

However, the week before spring break, Darrin was playing basketball and came down wrong on his foot. . . . . after many ice packs, x-rays, a doctor visit, lots of ibuprofen and a walking brace, we came to realize that a 20 hour trip (each way) in the car wasn't really very realistic for us anymore.

So we sent sad e-mails to the friends we had hoped to see, and then tried to find something closer to home to do for a couple days. The compromise was a few days at a local lake. Only a couple hours in the car. . . . and only a couple days away. But so much better than nothing!!

Here is a pic of the house where we stayed (the middle one). It was early for lake season and so we were the only ones around this little area. The other houses were empty over the weekend so we felt like we had our own private get-a-way spot. (I am sure the atmosphere is a little different in July!!)

In front of the house, was our own privat boat slip which we all used to fish off of!! It was great for sitting out and getting some sun too. (The first two days were hot with sun --80 on Monday! But after that it got colder and colder and on Wednesday, we were bundled up to go outside!)
Darrin and the boys fishing off the deck!
Zach had some good faces to go along with his catches:
My favorite:
Austin enjoying the early morning sun:
Darrin trying to make the best of it. . . .
Wyatt has some small catches, but was quite proud as you can see!!
Chloe enjoys fishing as much as her brothers!

We came home on Wednesday night so we could rest up a few more days at the house. Darrin is finally able to get a real shoe over his foot, but it still hurts a lot. Hoping he is feeling better soon! Hope you are all well!!

Winter blues

Well, if you live anywhere near the midwest of the US, you know we picked one doozy of a winter to be home for. I think we had 30+ inches of snow in Jan and Feb -- which is so much more than normal!! The local schools were cancelled for two entire weeks! I think that Valentine's day was the first day of school they had for the month of Feb. Crazy around here. . It didn't last forever--even though some days it felt like it would!

Here is a snowman that is fading fast. . . it was built on one of the days that it was finally warming up and had a short lived life! :o) (but he was well loved!)

Shoveling a path to our front door after a snow. . .
Snow, snow everywhere. . .
even on Rangeline. If you're not from around here, Rangeline Road is one of the main roads with the busiest traffic in Joplin. This was taken three days after the big snow and it still wasn't clear. Amazing. . .

And three days after the big snow, we made it to Wal-Mart and this is what the bread section looked like. Like I said, Amazing!!
But the good news it that is over. While we still had a little snow this weekend (crazy!), the grass is starting to turn green. . . . . a few trees are budding out. . . and we are hopeful for spring!! So what else have we been up to . . . here a few more photos!

Getting ready to go out to eat for Valentine's Day!!

Zach has a job now!! Doesn't he look all grown up!!
He works at a great donut/coffee shop called College Station!
Here is a picture with all of my brothers and sisters! It's fun to get to see a bit more of them!

In March, the younger kids and I made a quick trip to IL to celebrate my Grandma's 93rd Birthday!! Here are Chloe and I at the party!! (and yes, I did cut my hair!)

My sweet, 93 year old Grandma!! Love her!!

The snow days made us a little stir crazy, and this was my idea for fun:

You can tell the kids were loving it!! ha!!