Monday, December 31, 2018

Happy New Year, 2019 here we come!

Mark and I flew to Peoria on December 20th. We had a wonderful week with Megan, Andy and our three grandchildren. Megan had tickets to a Christmas program at a nearby mega church and it was fantastic, more like a broadway production. Money was no problem when this church built their auditorium, which looked more like a Hollywood movie set!

Christmas Eve brought the opening of a couple of presents each for the kids and a fun game with prizes. Christmas Day Santa did not disappoint, with his big gifts of a TV for Drew, bicycle for Ryan and snowboard for Kayley.

We also went to Mary Poppins Returns, which was very good and a fun movie. Bowling was also packed in to our schedule. It was a good trip and so much fun to be with the children at Christmas. Matt and Janelle were not able to travel, as Janelle is expecting our new granddaughter in January. Mark and I will be heading to Omaha very soon to meet Ella. Very exciting!

Our youngest (for now) growing up way too quickly.

Kayley decided to try BB this season.

Nick the Elf made it to the top window of the Thiel household. I wonder how he got up that high?!

Fitz got into the Christmas spirit, perhaps unwillingly?

Andy gave the kids and grandma necklaces for Christmas Eve.

Drew

Kayley

Nice bike!


Big sis helping Ryan assemble his lego set.

Let's go bowling!


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Our winter in the desert

Since I haven't posted since Matt and Janelle's wedding, this will be a "catch up" post! Mark and I have had a good winter in AZ. It was very busy as we completely remodeled our home here, installing new kitchen cabinets, all new flooring, complete remodel of guest bathroom and a new shower in the master bedroom.  It was time consuming and challenging washing dishes in the bathroom sink for several weeks, but the end result made it all worthwhile. I love my new little home in the desert.

The AZ living started with Matt driving out with me at the end of October. It is great having him along for the ride and helping to do the driving. He spent a couple of days here and we took a beautiful hike at the Tom Thumb trailhead. We stopped to see his cousin Aaron in Jerome perform at the Spirit Room, too.

I flew to Peoria for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mark was still home farming and was going to drive to Megan's for turkey day celebrations, but Andy's father passed away after a hard fought cancer battle so those plans were all changed. Megan and kids took me to the farm as they continued on to Omaha and LeMars for funeral arrangements. Mark and I joined them in LeMars on that Friday for Butch's wake and funeral on Saturday. Following the funeral, we drove to Matt and Janelle's home and spent the night. We left for AZ the next morning.

Mark and I flew to Peoria for Christmas. Matt and Janelle were also there, so we were all together, along with 2 new puppies and Levi. Grandpa and grandma both were ill (flu?) the entire time so it wasn't what we had hoped, but everyone else had a grand time! It is always a joy being with the grandchildren over the holidays.

We spent January, February and the first week in March remodeling but still managed to do many fun things this winter. Our highlights were a visit from Nancy, Rick and Nadine from Okoboji. We drove up to Jerome and spent the night and went to Sedona the following day. We had a great time with these good friends!

The day after Nancy left we went on a trip with 12 other people to Marble Canyon in northern AZ  The first day was spent fishing and boating around Horseshoe Bend and seeing Glen Canyon Dam. The second day we drove to Lake Powell and hiked into Antelope Canyon...just breathtaking! It was definitely a bucket list trip and I will never forget this journey!

Andy and his two brothers came last week for their annual spring baseball trip. They (and we) had a fun time going to the many games and eating foods that aren't exactly healthy for you. :-)

Megan, Andy and the grandchildren come Friday for a spring break visit and we are beyond excited. I will post on that following their visit!
Our beautiful grandchildren in LeMars, IA

Merry Christmas morning!

Uncle Matt sledding in shorts?

Ryan, Drew, Fitz and Sanders

Kayley loves their new puppy Fitz
Old flooring, old cabinets

New flooring, new cabinets

Almost finished, just need countertop
Waiting for new furniture delivery
Finally, comfortable seating!
Spent a day at the Phoenix Open with good friend Alice
Nancy and Moondog at the Spirit Room, Jerome.

Nancy, Nadine and Marla in Sedona
Nancy and Mark enjoy our lazy day in the sun at Bartlett Lake

Boating on the Colorado River 

Finally waded into Antelope Canyon, a muddy, mucky mess!

Horseshoe Bend

Mark and his trout

Antelope Canyon hike was magical



Thursday, August 03, 2017

Matt and Janelle get married!

July 16 was the date. Temecula, CA was the place! We all decided to make a family vacation out of this trip out west and we had a grand time. Mark and I flew out of Des Moines on July 10th to Santa Ana. Megan and Andy and children flew from Peoria to the same airport, same day. We had rented a home 5 minutes from Disneyland and stayed there through Thursday, July 13th. Matt and Janelle joined us all at Disneyland for the day on Tuesday and Matt joined us on Wednesday at California Adventure. Thursday was a "free" day so we took the children to Huntington Beach for the day. They had a blast in the surf and sand with their boogie boards, etc. That evening we grilled at our rental and everyone got in the pool and hot tub.  Drew, Kayley and Ryan loved that pool and we were all thrilled with that home. I would definitely stay there again should a reason arise!

On Friday it was time to make our way to the wine country of Temecula.  Breathtaking beauty, especially at sister Sharon's huge rental home overlooking the hills and vineyards. We were invited there for dinner on Friday night and had a great time with all her kids and grandkids.

Saturday morning was time for wedding rehearsal. It was SO hot during that I was afraid I would melt! (outdoor wedding). We survived and headed to another beautiful winery for the rehearsal brunch. It was such fun, so good, so lovely....a fun memory.

The big event was Sunday at 5:00. Fortunately, the weather was not as hot, the shade was on the guests and Matt and Janelle had a gorgeous wedding. Matt walked me and Joan down the aisle, Drew carried the rings, Ryan and Janelle's nephew carried a cute sign and Kayley pulled Levi down in a decorated wagon. They all did fabulous. The reception area was equally beautiful and a great time. A lovely memory for our families!

Monday we traveled closer to the airport for our Tuesday flights home. On the way we stopped at Laguna Beach to spend the day with Ron and Melissa and children who were on vacation in CA and made sure they arranged it around the wedding. So great to have them there. We had a huge surprise when nephew Aaron and girlfriend Sonia walked up to our beach spot! They spent the day with us.

It was a great trip, beautiful wedding, lovely new daughter-in-law, many memories!  Pics in random order to follow!  :-)
The Thiel at Disneyland

Matt and Janelle at the reception

My handsome son-in-law and handsome grandson!

Janelle with her wedding party. Very stunning group of ladies!

All dressed up and still smiling!

Storybook Land at Disney

Buckle up, Ryan. Matt doesn't go on baby rides! 
Great day at Disneyland, CA

Ryan getting buried alive by his father

Surf's up!

Hot tubbing at the rental

Rehearsal day and a beautiful Kayley

Matt and Janelle and her family...Tim, Joan, Courtney, Jeremy and children.

Janelle enjoying rehearsal brunch with her cute nephew

Mom is happy...so is Matt!

Happy trio

Pre wedding beautification

Beauties!

What a gorgeous group of grandchildren!

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