Easter 2022

We hosted an early Arnold Easter this year. It was a rainy weekend so we had the Easter egg hunt indoors.

We combined Easter celebration with the celebration of Millie's Retirement!

Jason invented a fun new version of wack-a-mole, which is much harder than it looks!

Kluesner Easter had nicer weather so we could have an egg hunt outside.

For our own Easter, the bubble guns were a big hit.

Spring Break 2022

 We decided to take a Spring Break vacation this year knowing the summer would be busy with softball, baseball, summer camps, and summer school.  We spent a few days a the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.

Of course we spent a good amount of time at the indoor water park.  Walter really liked the wave pool and the hot tubs, especially the outdoor one.  Johanna liked going on many slides and rides.  She and Tony both tried indoor surfing and were able to body board.  We also really enjoyed the indoor arcade and adventure park.  We even made smores at our table one night. 

Johanna liked winning tickets, going on the bigger rides, laser tag, and basically everything.  Her go-cart skills were super impressive.  She drove her own car and even when she started the race in the second last spot, she ended in first and (proud mom moment) another mom complimented her on her responsible, courtesy driving.  Her is Johanna waiting for 500 tickets she won in a jackpot.

Walter also enjoys arcade games, especially video ones.  He was really excited to try laser tag and enjoyed it.  He opted out of the bigger rides but went on a few smaller ones and enjoyed riding go-carts as a passenger.  He really enjoyed getting a new stuff animal.  Walter enjoys his down time and loved the Lego kits Grandma Karen sent along for the trip.  

We didn't tell the kids that we invited Melissa to join us for our last night so they were very excited for her surprise visit.  Johanna even convinced Melissa to go on the ropes course and ride the zip line.

We all got a surprise on the final day when it started snowing!  Luckily, it didn't affect our trip or our ride home.

Early 2022

 Johanna attended a basketball camp at Hempstead and participated in half-time dribbling show.

Tony also took Johanna to her first game at Dubuque Senior HS, which will be Johanna's high school.

We took a much overdue trip to the River Museum and Johanna brought a friend.

Johanna enjoyed helping with snow at Grandma and Grandpa's.

The kids took swim lessons and both passed a level.  They participated in a relay together.  Here is Walter swimming in, Johanna reaching for him, and their coach and a  friend cheering them on.

Johanna decided to challenge herself to make rainbow cupcakes and she really knocked it out of the park!  

Walter enjoys helping out in the kitchen too.  His specialty around the house, however, is building comfy "nests".  

Wrapping up 2021

What we learned in 2021.....

Todd and Ann have the coolest parties.

Kids can survive a nature hike.

Tony still likes to make the kids hug things before we get rid of them.  This year we got a new van, new kitchen counter, and new bathroom counters. 

Michelle finds the coolest local hangouts.

Johanna can jump.

Walter prefers the life of a burrito.

Kids get vaccinated for COVID and featured on Mercy Facebook page.

Michelle got a big, well deserved promotion at work.  She enjoys #momlife and also enjoys the evenings when Tony gives her a night off.

We can all still survive a bike ride up to Cleveland Park.

Johanna has a big heart, making lots of Thank You cards for the nurses at Mercy.

Walter is unfortunately really good at brining home illnesses to share with the family.

Tony and Johanna love to be active and get things done.

Michelle and Walter prefer to chill-lax.

And finally, we learned that Tony can upset his hernia while rolling out Christmas cookies.  And Michelle and Johanna can survive taking care of snow (after Tony's surgery) for a SHORT period of time.