BLESSED

We were blessed with the nicest vacation. We decided to go to Mount Nebo in Arkansas. It was not planned early and I didn't think we would get a cabin. When Del called to get a cabin they said the call just prior to his was someone cancelling for the days we wanted. We didn't have any choices just one cabin available. When we got there the lady asked how we got cabin 61. We told her and she said it was the most sought after cabin. I asked why and she said it had the best view of any cabin in Arkansas State Parks. She was right. We had the most relaxing days we've had in years and Nora loved it. She said it was our best vacation. We had views out every window and door. The patio was wonderful and the views were fabulous. There was wildlife everywhere. We have pictures of deer I will post later. They haven't been downloaded yet.

Pictures taken from the patio

Nora on the patio

Nora on the side porch of our cabin

Clouds coming down the valley

Pictures taken on a little hike

Sunset taken from our patio

DANCE PHOTOS

There was a professional photographer at dress rehearsal this year and they did a disc instead of pictures on paper. We were very happy about that. I can post and print pictures.

DRESS REHEARSAL

Photos from dress rehearsal.

Nora and Ms. Raevin (dance instructor)

Nora's dance class receiving trophies

EVE'S COAT

I finished Eve's coat and she looks great. I can hardly wait to get pictures of Eve and Joseph together. Their event is this weekend and they have promised to send me pictures. I'll post them when I get them.

FIVE YEARS OLD

We celebrated Nora's fifth birthday on Friday. She was so excited. The only bad thing about being five is changing classes at school in the fall. Nora doesn't want to change classes. She said she wanted to stay in the class with all her friends. When I told her they will be in kindergarten also she was a little better but she still wants to be in Ms. Jackie's class. I wish she could be in Ms. Jackie's class also.

Del and I went for a parent teacher conference on last Thursday. We were told that Nora had met or surpassed every skills test that is given for pre-schoolers. They went over everything with us and she has done very well. Much better than expected for her age. There was only two negative things from the list of six pages and they were minor. She doesn't yet understand yesterday and tomorrow. To Nora everything in the past is yesterday and everything in the future is tomorrow. I was told that is normal for her age. The only other negative remark was about her slight speech problem (very typical for her age). She has trouble with R's. When someone asks her name Nora sounds like Noah.

We're very proud of our five year old daughter. She loves school and doesn't want to be out for the summer.

For her birthday Nora got a bicycle, an easel and hexbugs. It rained on her birthday so she had to try the bicycle out indoors.

Nora and her cousin Baby James

Birthday Girl

Nora's first time on a bike

MORE BIRTHDAY PHOTOS

We had such a good time visiting with everyone. It had been two years since we had seen most of the people there and longer than that since we had seen Mary Elizabeth and Woody. Mary Elizabeth brought Nora a gift too. Nora loved it. Elana (younger than Nora) was sick so she and her Mom Allie didn't get to come. Nora was the only small child there but she did pretty well. She picked on Greg unmercifully. It's a wonder he got to finish his meal. Kris was sitting between Nora and Greg and she really had a hard time. Nora was reaching past Kris to get Greg's attention. We all had a great time. I don't have an official count but I think there were 15 people there to help celebrate.

HOW OLD?

Del's Mom turned 90 yesterday. We celebrated at Rizzo's Italian Restaurant. She has gone out to eat with us the last two nights and is able to walk in and out of restaurants with only the help of a walker. Mom lives alone in her own home. She's pretty amazing for 90 years old.

BRENT'S VISIT

Nora's Uncle Dale had a heart attack and had open heart surgery. While that was going on my great nephew Brent stayed with us so his parents could be at the hospital with Brent's grandpa. Nora loved having Brent here. One morning when I woke they were already up playing in Nora's room. I listened on the intercom and things were going so well so I went about my business and waited for them to come and get me. When they finally came in they both had on different PJ's than they had on when they went to bed. Nora said Brent got Tee Tee on his when he went to the bathroom so she got him a pair of her pajamas. She said she Tee Teed on the floor. Sure enough she had. Anyway, I had to get a picture of them before I shampooed the carpet. Brent will appreciate this when he's older.

JOSEPH'S COAT

I am making coats for my niece and her fiance', Joseph. They are for a convention for a Japanese cartoon. There is no pattern available so I had to make a pattern. Joseph's coat is finished and now I have to remake the pattern to fit Eve who is much shorter and she wants her coat more fitted.

ON THE WAY HOME

What a way to end a vacation. Nora loved riding in the big tow truck. She thought it was great.

VACATION

I had to get our vacation pictures posted because we will be leaving in a few days to go to Pennsylvania for Del's mom's 90th. birthday party. We vacationed during spring break at Branson, Missouri. Nora loved Silver Dollar City and we spent 3 days there.

SUNRISE

As I walked down the hall yesterday morning I saw this through the front windows. Isn't God wonderful. We sometimes forget how beautiful the world can be. I had to take a few minutes to soak in the beauty of it all (and take a few pictures).