New Grinnellian!

As the three of you who look at this blog probably already know, we were thrilled when we found out that Sarah, oldest daughter of our good friends from Madison days, Pete and Paula, chose to come to Grinnell College this fall!  Of course, we think Grinnell is an awesome school, and she is going to have a great time there.  But this means Pete and Paula and Norah will have to come visit!  Woot!  They live much too far away in Maine.  AND we will hopefully be able to steal Sarah away from campus every once in while, even though she will be monumentally busy with classes, friends, and activities! 

It's only the beginning of the semester, so we stole her away last night and took her to the annual heirloom tomato tasting at Grinnell Heritage Farm just on the edge of town.  It's the source of our CSA veggie share, but they sell organic produce to places like the New Pioneer Co-op and Whole Foods as well.  Anyway, it was too hot, but it was still fun to go out, walk among the kale, listen to a little bluegrass music, and enjoy a potluck dinner with folks from all over central Iowa.  We were hoping to give Sarah a little (and literal) taste of Grinnell!  And we're just really happy to have her here in G-town. 

First movie trailer

The two Ms amused themselves mightily making this trailer.  One of Maggie's first movies on her new school Macbook!

Annie

Much of Maggie's summer (and ours) was devoted to the community theater production of "Annie." She was Pepper (the mean one!). She had a fantastic time, and I thought she did a great job! I was also pleasantly surprised at the quality of the show. Cuz y'know...community theater. Some of her best buds were in the show, which made it extra special. My mom and dad and sis Noelle came to to town to see the show, and my mom got some good pics!

Sigh...

I've kind of had it with this weather.

Brown Belt!

Max earned his brown belt in tae kwon do last week.  He was very proud (as he should be).  I am continually impressed by his memory in tkd.  I always ask him to help me with the forms because he remembers them all!  Our instructor, Mr. Gibson, said some very nice things to Max (as he always does) when he was tying on his new belt.  He told Max that he was very impressed with his seriousness and focus, and that Max would be successful in whatever he wanted to try with those skills.  Mr. Gibson also told Max it would be cool if he waited for Maggie and I to catch up, and we all tested for our temporary black belts together.  I kinda think it would be cool for Max to be the first in the family to be a black belt!! 

KC visit

A short-but-sweet visit to KC over Memorial Day weekend to get all the cousins together!!

 V and Max were making a "bunny nest."

 At a sweet new little aquarium with O.

 Popping up inside the bubble! 

 Max fills the space!

 All the cousins!

So sweet!  I have virtually no photos of the grownups.  Ha ha!  But it was so great to hang out with my siblings.  I do wish we lived closer together. 

On another note, I ran my Dam to Dam 20K race yesterday.  It was a beautiful morning, and despite the fact that I woke up at 3am (buses to start began at 5am) I felt great!  I was happy with my time, which included some time waiting in line for a Port-a-Potty.  I was totally spent afterwards, but I am proud to have accomplished it just in time for turning 43!  Woot!

Piano recital

The latest musical extravaganza!!  Maggie at her piano recital.