Bootheville, LA

We worked on a double-wide trailer - which wasn't quite ready to be painted yet as we were told - but that was ok the kids had fun we put up all the interior walls and hung the outside doors.

We also sided three sides of this trailer - was 75 degrees outside and wonderful to soak up some sun while we were there.

We went looking for alligators on Sunday afternoon - here these two dare-devils have one coming to there stick (his eyes are all you can see in the water) the alligator got close enough and snapped at the stick - I was panicking on shore and they had no fear whatsoever - they also had one coming up behind them - oh to be a teen with no fear or no sense not sure which it was - glad to say we did get them back home in one piece. :)

The kids decorated the van and this young man thought that my name was Melinda until this trip - after the girls put all the names on the van he said why did you spell her name wrong - everyone laughed and now I hope he actually knows my name.

We went all the way to the southermost point of LA - no more road just water and harbors - was really neat to see.

This is the whole group that went - 6 seniors and 4 adults. We had a great experience and was fun to get to know the kids a little more.

Now, we are off to State AAU volleyball for Jamie this weekend - we leave at noon for Marshalltown, IA and she plays all day tomorrow in the state competition. It has been March madness here this month - glad it is almost over - wonder what April will bring - its all good though - fun to follow the kids in all their activities.

New Orleans Serve Project

Just a quick note to say that I am leaving for New Orleans on Tues, the 18th around 5pm with the Seniors from our church. We have a Senior Serve project every year over Easter and since Mike and I are youth leaders this year - I am going along. Mike is staying home and managing the fort here. We are actually going to Boothville, LA which some have called the end of the road since we are about as far south as you can get. We will be working on finishing a home-painting(YEAH), siding, trim, tiling, etc. I am looking forward to the work not so much the 18 hour car ride but it will be OK. Good chance to get to know the kids more and caught up on some sleep (maybe). I will be back on the 25th hopefully with some neat pics of way down south. This project is still helping out with all those that were affected with Hurricane Katrina. We plan on going into New Orleans one day and checking out some of the sites there as well. Happy Easter to you all and I'll check in with you all when I get back. Love ya all!!!

Western is the class 2A State BB Champs!!

Here are the girls busy getting ready
for the championship game.



















This spray is very smelly - so I made them spray it in the hallway of the hotel.

We had a great time and the kids were great - Marcus had fun with all his friends and so did Jamie - they think that this week is going to be so long since they have to go to school every day - poor things - it is the end of the 3rd quarter already this Friday so they both get out early - I haven't told them that yet - it is suppose to be around 50 degrees here today - looking forward to seeing the lawn again soon!!

Proud Winner

Mike and Marcus went to the Sioux County Sportsmans Banquet on Saturday evening. They bought some raffle tickets for some prizes. Marcus' number got call and when he went up on stage there were 3 guys that got called up and 3 big camo bags up there. Each man had to draw a card (ace, 2, or 3) Marcus drew the ace and picked the first bag and out came this gun he is holding. WOW - it is a CZ - over/under red head 12 gauge shotgun. We got to go and pick it up this afternoon and he is now messing with it and beaming all at the same time. Mike said is was a perfect gun for Marcus to use trap shooting this fall and a great gun for him to win. Fun deal!! Congrats Marcus - hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Also, Western won their first game at state and now play on Thurs. at 2pm and then in championship(hopefully) or consilation game on Friday. So we are off to Des Moines on Thursday morning. Boyden-Hull plays George-Little Rock also on Thursday and Western plays Pella Christian. Lots of NW IA teams - should be a great time.