Last day of preschool

Friday Nora had her last day of preschool-EVER! I held together better than I thought I would. Parkview Preschool has been a great place for Nora and our family. Nora made a wonderful group of friends and I have been blessed to get to know the moms-what great families. I pray that Nora continues to make friends that have the same family values as us. Change is hard-but good. I know that Nora is excited (and ready) for Kindergarten.

Nora with Mrs. Potter..she will miss her hugs and kisses!

Getting her diploma

Grace Hatch, Sophia, Nora, Lydia, Kaelia, Makayla

Mrs. Fink and Nora-we had a great teacher for two years!

Weekend away

Brian and I decided to take a long weekend away before baby number three comes. Brian's mom and dad had the girls from Wednesday to Sunday and we headed to Minneapolis.

Wednesday the weather was fantastic so when we got downtown we ate outdoors at an Irish Pub. The food was great and we spent about two hours just sitting outside talking and eating-something we never do with two kids!

Thursday the weather was not so good so we headed over to Ikea and the mall of America. Brian is a trooper for going through Ikea with me. No big purchases but just fun walking around and looking. That evening we went out for dinner at an awesome restaurant called Fogo De Chao. It is a Brazilian steak house and the experience was so neat. I don't think that either of us could look at any sort of meat for the next week! Then we went and saw the movie something borrowed.

Friday the weather was better but still not great. We walked around downtown Minneapolis and went to see Cappella University. That evening we went to see the Twins play at the new stadium. The stadium is pretty cool-the Twins are not so hot this year!

Saturday we went to see the movie bridesmaids in the morning at the mall of America and then headed to my cousin Marlene's house in Rochester for the evening. Her husband Brent is an awesome cook and made the best pizza ever! We just hung out and ate and chatted with them all afternoon and evening-how relaxing! Then Sunday Marlene made a wonderful breakfast and we took off for Iowa City.

We had such a wonderful time just being together and talking with out kids! I am so fortunate to be married to such a wonderful husband who understands the need for us to get away sometimes and be reminded of how much fun we have together, just the two of us. The time away made me a better wife and a better mom (I was pretty excited to see the girls again!).

We went to see the famous Minnehaha falls on Friday afternoon.

The view from our room-we stayed right downtown at the Graves 601.

Me at Capella University-graduate winter 2010!

Easter

For Easter we went to church at Grace the night before and then on Easter morning we went to East Union Mennonite in Kalona. We took Brian's grandma Edna with us to church and breakfast that morning. Then after church we went to Marv and Paulette's to eat lunch. The Hershberger boys's hid easter eggs for Nora and Molly. The weather that afternoon was great so we hung out just on the back porch chatting with the family.

Hunting eggs with Katie

The girls ready in their Easter dresses.

Easter Egg Hunt

Nora wanted to have all her preschool friends over for a party so we decided that we would do an easter egg hunt at our house with all her friends. The weather that day was horrible so we had to move the party inside. It was a lot of kids and a lot of fun! Nora loved planning the party and getting ready-she had everything in order by the time the girls came.

All the kid's eating candy after the indoor egg hunt!

Just for kix spring concert.

This is Nora's spring dance recital. They did two really cute dances!

Happy Birthday Nora!!

Today my baby turns 5!! It is so hard to believe that she is getting so big!! We are so blessed to have such a precious and beautiful daughter. Nora we love you so much and enjoy watching your personality shine.

Spring Break

For spring break I took the girls to my parents house in Indiana. The girls did great on the drive and we had such a fun time just hanging out at mom and dad's. My dad surprised the girls and took them to get baby chicks one afternoon. They loved being able to hold them, feed them, and just watch them. Notice Nora below plugging her nose b/c she thinks they stink!

One day we went to Michigan and visited with my aunt and uncle. My cousin Jenny came up with her daughter Wrigley, she is so adorable! My uncle Bob gave the girls and tractor ride, they both thought that was pretty cool!

Since Nora's birthday is next week we took the girls to Chuck E Cheese for a pre-birthday party. They had so much fun running around playing games and watching the characters do the little show.