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.

It has been a fun year watching Western BB again - they earned a trip to state in Des Moines and play their first game on Monday evening at 8:15 - if they win they play on Thursday and Friday. Marcus is going with some friends on Monday evening and if they win Jamie and I will take Marcus back on Thursday and Friday - we hope they do well and we will keep you all informed. They beat Unity in they sub-state game 75-50 on Wed. Evening at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City.

Snowmobiling Fun!

Mike had a great time last weekend - they rode 100 miles each day - and was beautiful. Apparently it is quite a bit of work though if you get them stuck and don't stay on the path. He said that all of them took their turns getting stuck.

Teri is back in Iowa - HEY!!

Keith and Teri Bretey who use to live in Rock Valley moved to Springfield, MN 10 years ago. This past Friday they moved back to Ia and now live in Lemars, IA. Springfield was 2 1/2 hours away and now Lemars is only 40 minutes - YEAH. We have stayed very close friends and would meet in Worthington, MN which was 1/2 way for each of us at least every 2 to 3 months. Marcie(my painting partner) and myself painted for them on Monday and Tuesday this week - we trimmed in everything and Keith and Teri rolled. Was great fun and a really good workout for me - up and down that ladder 2 days straight for 7-8 hour days. On Wednesday Mike and I are youth leaders at our church and we had a fundraiser with a talent show and huge supper - I was in charge of the supper - at church by 8:30 am and got home again at midnight. I woke up on Thursday and felt like a train had hit me - my legs and behind were so sore I had a hard time walking at first - I came to terms that I am getting older and can't keep up that pace I use to be able to do. I painted a little on Thur and Today(Friday) and now am relaxing a bit. We have the big School auction tonight at the Christian School here in town - but I am not in charge of anything there so I am going to go and sit and enjoy - hope you all have a great weekend. Mike is in the Black Hills snowmobiling (work made him go - was really a tough assignment) so hopefully he will get some good pics for me to share next week.