Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. My year started with snow, lots of snow, oodles of snow. Ok, maybe exaggerating. New year began at Mom’s retirement home room celebrating our extended family Christmas with Mom’s side of the family. Nephew enjoyed learning about Christmas presents. In fact, Nephew and Niece think Christmas should be every day. Cousins blessed our family with their new baby boy. Soon Niece and Nephw had a musical concert at school. Niece was ready to sleep at school, but we explain her bed and snack are at home. Taught Nephew all about coloring Easter eggs and later had Easter dinner with sister’s family. The world ended on May 21, 2011 according to some preacher studying the scriptures. Funny, the world looks the same to me. Spring pushed winter aside and I took Mom to her side of the family cemetery in Dexter. Sister already covered Dad’s grave so I went to visit Dad by myself. Niece’s dance recital ended up on same day as another niece’s recital, but can’t be at two places at once. Requested to do Niece’s bun, being former ballerina myself, so attended hers. Other niece can do her own hair pieces. Niece was a Kitten Who Lost Her Mitten. Then she was the Lion King tapping to Hakuna Matata.
Thinking of a fun outdoor activity to do with Niece and Nephew while trying to learn to ride bikes, I decided on skateboarding. Before teaching them, I had to relearn myself. Nephew learned the balancing act on the bike and loves riding along with Daddy. Went to Bon Jovi concert with brother-in-law as a thank you for babysitting the kids so much. Then cat-sat sister's cat Sammie while brother-in-law did a faraway marathon. Had excitement training an intern at work. I love training people. Took Niece and Nephew to zoo to see a new dinosaur exhibit. Kids were scared dinosaurs would eat them and I had to explain they are not real animals. Had an overnight with Niece and Nephew reading Christmas bedtime stories in the middle of summer. Nephew is eager to pet Precious and Frodo so we practiced nice petting. Went to amusement park Adventureland with Brother-in-law, Niece, and Nephew. Summer heat came to soon and I attended Aunt’s 70th birthday party at another Aunt and Uncle's house. Later in the summer I took Niece and Nephew to the beach at Gray‘s Lake. Kids need to learn that getting dirty is fun. Spent 4th of July with sister’s family and Mom watching a big parade in Urbandale and watching fireworks at the Urbandale library. I introduced Niece and Nephew to funnel cake at the park after the parade. I’m a bad, bad aunt.
Soon, friends had their new addition Emma Katherine. I got new furniture delivered that the cats approve of, a couch and recliner. Doesn’t match the cat fur, but then the old furniture didn’t either. In honor of other niece’s visit to sister's house, we went bowling and again to Adventureland. Rode a water ride about 4 times before going home soaking wet. Attended the big family reunion with Mom’s side at her cousin’s house. We celebrated Nephew’s 7th birthday at sister's house with family. Later in the summer, took Niece and Nephew to my apartment pool. Discovered Nephew is tall enough to touch the bottom of the pool, a major accomplishment. But summer doesn’t last forever and I took Niece and Nephew back to school shopping. Cousin’s daughter got married in Las Vegas to her man Jeff. They had a reception at Principal Park’s club room with the extended family. Autumn came and during Aunt’s visit to Des Moines we went to the Botanical Center and Chinese Garden down the street. Attended Niece’s 8th birthday party at a pizza place with arcade and go carts. Niece never met a doll she didn’t like. Next, Thanksgiving came quicker than we were ready. Had dinner at Mom’s retirement home dining room. It is like a 5 star restaurant there. Then Black Friday rushed by and glad it won’t be back for another year.
Big family Christmas with Mom’s side will be at her retirement home reception room again, people rather like it. Hopefully next year will be just as good as this one. Merry Christmas and Happy Meow Year
Love Always
Jordan
Precious
Frodo
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