Grandma's birthday

 We celebrated my grandma Carlson's 85th birthday over Memorial weekend.  My mom's side of the family gathered at my uncle David's house for a delicious meal, cake, and family time.  The girls especially enjoyed meeting the newest baby cousin, Charlotte.  Lydia was also very excited to get to spend time with Abby!

We spent the night at my aunt Miriam's (they were out of town, but let us use their house), and the next morning, Norah played ukulele for prelude at church.

After church, we went up to Webster City to have lunch with my grandma Nass.

Can't wait to see everyone again in July for Watermelon Day!

Last day of school!

 The girls finished up the craziest school year ever!  This year started out with hybrid learning until mid-November, then several months of distance learning through winter, and finally back to full-time in-person learning in mid-February.  Surprisingly, we made it through the year with none of us having to quarantine.  It was a year that we will never forget!

Abby finished 7th grade--she was finally on the same team and in the same advisory class as her best friend, but they weren't on the same hybrid day, so only got to see each other at school once they went back to in-person learning.  Her favorite teacher was her science and advisory teacher, Mr. Isley.  She also had our friend Nick Meyer for social studies.  I think Abby preferred hybrid learning, because she could sleep in a bit a couple of times a week.

Norah wrapped up a great year in 3rd grade with her sweet teacher, Mrs. Simon.  Norah once again had her two best friends in class (she and Emma have been together since kindergarten, and she and Breia since 1st grade).  Norah, being the homebody she is, says she liked distance learning the best this year.  I think we were all just thankful that we made it through this school year!

Wax Museum

 Norah's class had a wax museum at the end of the school year, and it was so nice to have an event this year that parents could attend.  I was so glad I could take a couple of hours off in the afternoon to be able to attend.  Norah researched J.K. Rowling (she became interested in her after she and I started reading the Harry Potter books together).  She did a great job presenting her speech to all of the parents who visited her!

Dad's birthday & visit with Greg

Since we had to socially distance last April and celebrate birthdays outside, it was fun to be able to get together for my dad's birthday this year.  He rented out a theater to see the movie Raya and the Last Dragon.  Dave's parents, Dave's cousin Jenny and Grace, my family, my sister's friend and her daughter, and my brother's friend were able to join us as well.  

Greg surprised everyone by coming home for an extended visit and working remotely from Rochester/Lonsdale.  Abby, Greg, Jenny, and I went to see a really fun Twins game--it rained for a bit, but we had great seats and the game was really exciting!

We had set up the basketball hoop that he had gotten the girls for their birthdays, so they had fun playing basketball.  We also enjoyed lots of game-playing, and Greg gave Norah her first sip of coffee!  😬