May is winding down

We made it through Matthew's graduation ceremony and open house. Both sets of grandparents were able to make it up and help celebrate the day with him. It was a special day, and the weather was great. Everything turned out great, a lot of people showed up for Matthew's open house and I think he kind of enjoyed it!

Mary is working at Perkins to earn some extra cash before she starts working at Camp Tanglefoot in a couple of weeks. We are trying to convince her to look at the Missoula theatre for next summer which will help with her intern requirement for college.

Yesterday I did the annual law enforcement torch run/bike ride for Special Olympics. I biked from Des Moines to Ames which is about 40 miles. It was agonizingly fun. We had a head wind to fight the whole way. I have been doing that for over 15 years to help raise money for Special Olympics. Nationally the law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics has been the largest fund raising event for Special Olympics. In Iowa the knights of Columbus is one the largest contributors towards the Iowa Special Olympics. In fact the Knights of Columbus saved the Iowa Special Olympics from going under financially.

At the end of the run and bike ride we have a picnic hosted by Hickory Park Restaurant, it is good food. at 7:00 PM we go over to Hilton coliseum and form a tunnel to welcome and cheer all the Special Olympians as they enter the stadium. At the end of the speeches and activities they turn off all the lights and the law enforcement officers run the lit torch around the top of the coliseum and then the torch is handed off to the special Olympian who will light the flame to open the games. The Olympian goes down the stairs to the main floor and runs through the tunnel that the 4th degree knights have formed and then goes up a platform to light the flame. It is a long day but always fun.

When I was welcoming the special Olympians this year I could not help but think in another 6 or 8 years I could be cheering on my nephew as he comes through. I thought that would really be special. I would probably get emotional if that happened, I know I was getting a little teary eyed just thinking about it yesterday.

I moved most of the big items from Sarah's place back home today. Sarah will play here last concert tomorrow, and she graduates on Sunday! YEA!!! We are going to take her out to eat after the ceremony, she chose Red Lobster. Both sets of grandparents are coming up, I am not sure about anybody else.

Sarah received her first flush letter the other day. It was from Mid Prairie schools, they told her they hired somebody else. Funny they did not even interview her.

Philomena is doing really well in her clarinet lessons with her tutor. He wants her to buy these specific reeds and this kind of reed holder. She has good tone and he wants to build on that.

I hope everybody has a relaxing Memorial Day

posted by Randy

It's Friday! end of the week

The sun is shining today and it is supposed to hit 70 degrees today!

Matthew is back from his Buena Vista Visit. He had a good time and enjoyed it and now he will need to make a decision. His senior pictures are done and he needs to get those picked up also.

Stephen has his first communion tomorrow and there is a lot of things to do.

Both sets of grandparents are coming up and everybody is excited about that. I am having some difficulties in the light inspection department. Currently I have more light bulbs out than replacement bulbs. I need to fix that before tomorrow.

I just found out that they now sell Sterzing potato chips up here now! Wow! how cool is that?

Daniel has his french horn solo tomorrow in Greene, IA, wish him luck on that. Caroline will be going down to see that.

I have to teach a hunter ed class tomorrow morning so things will be a little hectic around here tomorrow.

we are finishing up the last of the homemade cinnamon rolls, boy! were they good! I believe they were my best batch so far.

The Taurus has new front brakes so both cars have been given a clean bill of health. We took both cars in last week to have all fluids flushed, oil changed, and new plugs in the Taurus hopefully with a little preventative maintenance that will help in the long run.

The Buick stills seems to start when we turn the key so we take it on short trips into town. When it decides not to start we will haul it away. Having to inflate the front tire every other day is annoying though.

I pick Mary up today at 4:30 PM

everybody have a good weekend. We hope you are enjoying reading our posts

Posted by Randy