Recently got a membership to our local gym for the pool. In my head it was going to be a couple hundred a month, so I never even looked into it. However I actually looked and realized I got a discount from my employer than made it $81 a month for the entire family. Probably won’t use the gym, but now we’ve got a giant pool to go to ! So far the older boys and I have gone a few times and enjoyed it and this past weekend Rachel and the baby came. This was Ezra’s first time swimming and he enjoyed it. No crying at all.

For my 39th birthday I took the day off work and got spoiled by Rachel. She got a bunch of fun gifts, made a great dinner with cupcakes and got the kids to make me a birthday banner with hand and foot prints from them.

I told Owen he could miss a day of school so we could all go to Wilson’s orchard, but he had some test he didn’t want to make up later. We tried going after picking him up from school but Ezra had other plans (a lot of crying in his car seat). It worked out for the best because I got to enjoy a great birthday nap.

Owen had his track & field day last Friday. We had the whole family there. Owen obviously in the events and doing a great job at doing them and then getting to have a day of fun with friends. Rachel and the boys cheering him on and getting to hang out with the other mom and kids. I was volunteering with keeping times. I also used my pass to get to move around the field to see Owen at his different events up close. It was the first nice day in a while so it worked out perfectly.

It was too nice out to miss a chance at being at the zoo with the younger boys the other day. Levi loved it and other than the car ride, Ezra didn’t cry either.

Rachel made cake pops with the boys.

Early morning snuggles.

Very smiley this morning.

I deleted just about everything from my rss list except for @joshginter ‘s The Newsprint and now I find myself needing suggestions to fill up the time between making school lunch and reading my bible and when my kids actually wake up to get taken to school. Please send links 🙏

Foggy morning drive to school drop off this morning, but still too early to let him go in.

Breakfast and a show before all the kids wake up.

Ezra

We welcomed our son, Ezra last month.

6 years ❤️

My dad mentioned this pumpkin patch nearby that was selling large ones for $5 instead of $20+ it ended up being about 10 minutes away. The boys both got to pick some out. Levi was very into it this year, running back and forth to see all the pumpkins, and making friends with the farmers dog and cat. When it was time for nap, he didn’t even fight it.

Levi and I walked around the little lake in town last night.

Levi got a big boy bed two nights ago. Despite the happy photos, he’s taking some time to get used to it and not be terrified. The first night, once we finally got him down he slept all night. Last night he woke up about 2 AM and stood by his door asking to watch tv 🤔

Owen and I made it to Epic Universe. We got there about 7:30 AM and even with the early access not opening until 9 AM that was the perfect time to get there. There were a few people in front of us, but there was a ton of people behind us within minutes. Super Nintendo World was really neat and it was fun to see Owen so excited to finally get to be there after seeing it on YouTube for years.

Owen and I made it to Universal’s Stella Nova Resort about 6pm. After we got checked in, we left all electronics in the room and went down to the pool. There was plenty of space and not that many people here so no issues getting in. The water was perfect and it’s been fun getting to spend time with him. Tomorrow we head to Epic Universe !

We had a quick trip to Omaha to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo. Owen was thrilled to see his favorite animal, penguins, while Levi was excited to see his favorite, elephants. We stayed nearby for the night and in the morning, we went to a coffee shop and explored some nearby parks.

Chasing after big bro

pixelfed.social/p/ryanway…

Rachel’s parents left last Sunday with Owen. Later, Rachel, Levi, and I went to a Mexican restaurant with my parents and my nephew, Nolan. Afterwards, my dad went back to his house while the rest of us went to a local farm to pick berries and flowers. Levi really enjoyed this and loved running around.

The rest of the week is a blur, but at some point I got some help from my dad setting up a new soft-top gazebo in our backyard. It’s made it through the last three storms without any issues.

I also fell back in love with a local favorite burger joint, BBops, and ended up grabbing some food there with my dad and Levi before heading to a park.

On Saturday, we picked up Owen from the airport. It turned into a bit of a fiasco—Delta messed up the arrangements for him to fly solo, and we had a moment of panic thinking they might not let him on the plane. Thankfully, they did, and he made it home safely.

Today, we visited a church for the third time. We’ve been enjoying it, and even though they recently moved a bit farther away, we like the teaching and the people. Since we haven’t found anything closer, we’ll likely keep going there.

I’m writing this from Starbucks while Owen plays his new Donkey Kong game on his Switch 2.

Owen just got back from his first visit to Michigan on his own.

Levi was wanting his photo taken last night. It was funny and the first time he’s asked.

Rachel found this farm 4 minutes away to pick berries and flowers. The prices weren’t bad, $10 to fill the vase and the raspberries only cost about $5.50. Levi liked walking through the rows of raspberries and bringing back half of one he’d smush to put in the bucket.

Rachel’s parents are visiting Iowa for the first time since we moved here. Her dad fixed two of my doors that wouldn’t shut properly and then helped me replace a part in the toilet so I didn’t have to pay $500 to the plumber. Today we went to a car show in Panora.