December 2020 Happenings

 A friend mentioned Gingerbread Lane and Candycane Circle in Ankeny and Shanna and I took the kids to check it out.  It was a great experience and would definitely walk it again!

We finally got to see Carter at his new job at Subway in Nevada.  So proud of him and he seems to enjoy it.

We invited Camlyn over for a playdate after the first big snow in December.  They sledded in Pat and Larry's backyard for a while then came inside for lunch.  We decided to go try the hills at Central Elementary School and they played outside for over an hour there:)

Family hike at Reactor Woods in Ames.  The kids had such a good time. They climbed all over the trees, slid down the trails on their bellies, and walk across creeks on huge branches.

Christmas at the Dodds 2020.  We were all nervous about getting together because of Covid but in the end we just needed to be together.  Mom made turkey and ham, I brought some salads and we had tons of desserts.  Everyone got a long and we laughed and smiled together a lot.  We played the saran wrap game, Guess the Christmas Carol Emoji game on you tube, and a dice game where you trade gifts.  We remembered to get some pictures and even wished the Pittsburgh Dodds Merry Christmas on video.  I can't wait until we can get together more often without worrying.

Lanie let us sleep until 7am Christmas morning at our house.  Lanie's big gift was a karaoke machine, Carter's was lots of clothes and shoes.  Matthew got a disc golf basket and I got a paddleboard.  Everyone was happy and Mom came for breakfast.  We thought of Dad a lot and I think it helped remembering that he was there with us in memories and pictures.  

November 2020 Happenings

 The pandemic goes on.  Fortunately we've had some decent fall (even winter) weather so we've been able to be outside and still be around friends.  We did NOT celebrate Thanksgiving with family.   It's just too risky not knowing how careful the kids are being and having to be inside together.  We just keep telling ourselves that after this is over we can have as many meals together as we want whenever we want to.  Mom and I went for a walk on Thanksgiving Day though, that tells you how nice it was outside:)

We went down to visit Tibodeaus on a Sunday afternoon in Cedar Falls.  We got to see their new house, check out downtown Marion breweries and places to eat and then go disc golfing at a local park.  So great to see these good friends and can't wait to get back to visit them again for some nightlife in the summer!

We celebrated Tanya's birthday the first weekend in November.  It was the warmest hike we could remember since she began her annual birthday hike.  Her family camped at Ledges that weekend and then we went there to hike.  A great group of ladies to be with on a beautiful Saturday morning and afternoon.  After the hike we went back to Tanya's campsite for drinks, soup, dessert, and a campfire.

That night we celebrated the election, finally!  While we were hiking it was finally announced that Joe Biden was the official elected next President of the United States.  Matthew cracked the bottle of champagne at about 4pm and then we went over to Spence's to celebrate with some local Democrats.  There is HOPE for this country.

October 2020 Happenings

 The Covid 19 Pandemic continues.  Some days drag on and on.  Some days I enjoy the slowness of life.  Everyday I worry about my family and friends and their health.  Everyday is full of choices about risk assessment.  Thank goodness I have my job to keep my mind busy and the weather has been good for the most part.  We did nearly set a record for the earliest snow, but it quickly melted.  I continue to walk outdoors with friends a few times a week at 5am, try to run once a week outside and then spend time on the treadmill or doing a youtube workout video to keep my physical self healthy and strong.  On site learning continues although the country 14 day positivity rate continues to go up.  It is November 15 as I write this post and the rate today is above 17% for Story County.  We all walk on eggshells, wondering if or when things will drastically change for the good or bad.

Carter played and ended his Junior year season of football this month.  We got to see him play both JV and Varsity and were super proud of him playing a strong center in both.  Grandma came to see some games too and that meant a lot to Carter.

We celebrated Mom's 68th birthday the weekend before her birthday at Uncle Rick and Aunt Laurie's.  Uncle Rick smoked pork chops and beans.  The whole family was there and Mom was happy.  Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures:(. We talked about how fun it would be to get together for card games and a meal when Covid 19 is over.

Matthew and I went camping with Jeremy, Aiden and Lanie for our anniversary weekend at Lacey-Keosaqua State Park in southeast Iowa.  We spent the weekend doing things we love. Grilling (on our new Blackstone), trying new restaurants and sight-seeing a new town, playing disc golf, games, and hiking, even through the rain. Friday night was quite cold when we couldn't get the camper heat to click on and overnight lows were down in the 20s. The next day we headed to WalMart (thanks Tanya) to buy a space heater.

Mid October was super warm and we spent one relaxing, beautiful Sunday afternoon at Prairie Moon Winery's Concert in the crib.  Sangria and wine were delicious.  Sorems joined us too.  Definitely need to do this more often next summer.

Had a wonderful time at Spirits in the Gardens with Shanna, Liam and Ellie! Pumpkins were carved in amazing ways, great activities for kids and just enjoyed fall weather together.

Thank goodness for friends with motivation.  Tanya text me to remind me of the RUN Nevada race and asked if I'd walk instead of run.  Tanya, Kara and I had a great time.  There was a chili cook off and contest afterwards and it was good to get out and be around people.

Lanie's girl scout troop completed their (I believe) Silver award by creating a small food pantry for the community.  They not only built and painted it all but then learned how to dig a hole and use cement to hold a post.  

Lazy Friday night:)

Buzz painted this month.  We used a color called Alpaca.  One step closer to getting the house ready.

Continued to get out hiking and disc golfing with the family when it was warm enough on the weekend.  We golfed the back 9 at Big Creek, never have before.  It is really beautiful next to the water and up and down hills.  Lanie enjoyed all the opportunities for Parkour.

September 2020 Happenings

 

Lanie's dance recital picture for the year.  She was in Lyrical again 2019 - 2020.  Unfortunately, she broke her toe the week before recital and could not perform.    She dealt with it like a champ though, and this year is in Hip Hop and Jazz and loving it.

Carter's junior year football picture.  He switched his jersey number to 54 in honor of Papa.  He's back to playing center and even played a few Varsity games.  He's playing the position well and still enjoys football.  I can't believe next year will be his Senior year.

Lanie and her troop are continuing to work on a free food cupboard for the community.  Lanie got to use wood glue, a staple gun and a saw.

Beautiful evening bike ride on the High Trestle trail and supper along the bike trail with great friends.  Need to get out for bike rides more often.

A great Labor Day weekend with friends in beautiful eastern Iowa. Camped at Bellevue State Park and visited Mines of Spain. The bluffs there look more like Ireland than Iowa!! We disc golfed, hiked, and tried a brewery in Dubuque.

August 2020 Happenings

 

Camped at Spring Lake in Jefferson to celebrate this great couple's 10 year anniversary!  We had fun cooking over a fire, kayaking, playing cards, Kubb, and relaxing. First time we ever camped without electricity in the camper and learned a lot about how to do it.

Claudia was one of the few friends we had over this summer for play dates for Lanie.  They always got a long SO well.  This time we went to McFarland Park for a short hike.  Lanie managed, even with a broken toe.  The park now has goats fenced in along the back side that are fun to look at.

Mom bought 20 pounds of jalapenos at a market and we had our work cut out for us.  This time we added sausage to the cream cheese.  We learned from last year to wear masks and gloves the whole time!  We are set for the winter:)

Weather we've never seen before blew into town, called a Derecho.  It was like we were in the middle of a hurricane.  It lasted for about an hour and when it was over Matthew's cab was crushed in from a tree landing it in the parking lot at work, our garage door was blown in and the track pulled away from the wall, a big branch from Walnut tree and my tall flowers were broken off and lots of other little limbs all over the yard.  Thankfully no one was hurt.  Mom also lost 2 trees.

Unfortunately we cancelled our Lanesboro Red Barn Resort camping trip with friends the 2nd weekend in August.  It just felt too unsafe for now.  Instead we took a family trip to Lynch's cabin in Minnesota.  The kids loved swimming in the lake, even when the waves were like the ocean on Friday when we got there.  We also disc golfed, ate at Win Jum's, got out on the boat and played lots of games.  Such a great time and so good to get away from real life.

Well, the time is finally here.  School is starting after 5 months off although I feel like I never had a break.  Lanie and Carter are doing online learning, Carter through Edmentum and Lanie through Google Meets with her special education teacher.  I get to teach the 1st and 2nd grade online learners and when I go out of my room to do lunch and recess duties, I wear a mask and screen.   Teaching online has it's own challenges and I'm having to remind myself that it's only the first week and I CAN figure this out and make it manageable.  Carter is having to help out a lot with Lanie until we can get staff trained and working during the day with her.  Grandma is helping a ton too and also got trained in SCL.  If we can just hold out another couple weeks we should be okay.

July Happenings 2020

What a fun, busy month July has been!  Let's start with this lazy picture of Frisbee.  He likes to lay in the window watching birds while I do dishes most mornings:)

Matthew got a hole in 1!  He was golfing with Liam and Mike at Maxwell's disc golf course and was quite pleased when he got home to tell me about it.

So great to spend time with Nicole Christensen and her girls camping for 2 nights at Spring Lake! A little heat didn't stop us:). We spent most of the day in the lake but also played card games, had a fire, ice cream and talked about everything:)

We finished resurfacing the deck this morning, both of our first time with this big of a project. No one I would have rather done this with:) Hope we made you proud, Dad ❤️

Had an awesome 4th of July with the Lynch's.  Started out disc golfing in Madrid then back to their house for pool time, relaxing, grilling, and games.

After a very scary accident, Carter is buying himself a new car.  We bought it at Lithia Honda and we think it's a really nice car.  I especially like the sun roof, Carter likes the turbo power.  We all like the color.

We did it!  Thanks to Renae's awesome ideas and videos.  Fun time together:)

Daddy's books came!  We were so excited to see what the library purchased with Joy's donation.  Great books that all remind me of dad with topics such as; the Beatles, Veterans, fishing and camping.

We went to Jester Park mini golfing with Tanya and the girls.  It was really busy but every one was super great about being patient and giving each other space.  Lanie even got a hole in 1!

Great adventures at Waubonsie State Park in Southwest Iowa with great friends, John and Tanya Sorem and girls! Hiking, biking, disc golfing, local food and ice cream, relaxing and games. Love camping when there’s lots to do:)

It was a good afternoon at Ledges State Park with Nicole, the girls and Liam. Not too crowded, not too hot, lots of smiles with friends.  Lanie loves playing in the water better than the cars splashing her.  

Another good play date for these 2.  This time we went to Big Creek State Park.  Masks don’t stop these 2 from back seat giggles! Never realized how big the beach is at Big Creek State Park!