The Tayto Park

On their last day in Ireland, the Jerdees spent it in the Tayto Park. Tayto is the Irish word for "crisp" or "chip"....as in potato chip. Or fish and chips....:)

This is Tayto, a huggable chip who walks around the park for kids.

Hat Trick

Landon is in Galway, Ireland...hat shopping. Is this cool or what?

Just Singin' In The Rain

Yep, we hit the Blank Park Zoo just as a gigantic thunderstorm blew up. The Rain Forest/Aquarium Exhibit really felt like a rain forest, complete with thunder and lightning seen through the glass roof.
But we ventured out into the wet, wet world when the winds died down to sprinkles. We wanted that carousel ride!! And they were up and running after awhile...

Landon chose a cat.

Augsburg Football Camp

Blake was invited to football camp at Augsburg College last week. His high school team won the team competition and Blake's record for the camp was 12-2. He wrestled at 178 lbs.

 

 Blake is standing at top, third from the right.

Mother's Day on Friday

They wanted to know what I wanted for Mother's Day.

 I asked for lunch downtown with my kids.

 

Amy and Adam, my handsome and personable kids

 

We went to Lucca's in the East Village across the river from downtown Des Moines.

Apart from all of their usual companions, I was able to see who they really are.

Delightful. Refreshing. Lively and enthusiastic.

 

Centerpiece
 

 

 

Lucca's was a delight as well. Modern Italian, my salad was made with mixed greens, cucumber, carrot, tomato, chicken and bacon shreds with a feta-creamy parmesan dressing.

 

Mostly, I feasted on my beautiful children :)

Landon is 8!

Well, not quite yet.

 This year his birthday falls on Mother's Day so celebrations

have been rearranged to accommodate everyone.

The "big party" will happen today at an indoor playground with friends.

 

This pic was taken at a "little party" at Grandpa Al and Nana's house.

 

Prom 2018

It's Hunter.

 Getting polished up for the prom.

His dad is making the finishing touches.

 

 Hunter and his date.

I don't know her name. Yet.

 He took her to Glen Oaks' Clubhouse for dinner. After dinner, they danced at the Iowa Event Center and attended the After-Party at Valley High School.