Spring life!

The view out our back door

Another view from our backyard

Red blossoms now turned a dark pink

White blossom trees

Beautiful green trees at a park

When we left on our trip to Bozeman, there were a few trees that had leaves, but for the most part things were still pretty brown. When we got home, over a week later, everything was so green. Mankato has just come to life. Our lawn was so long when we got home, so Jon mowed it this week, and now it doesn't look too good; not because of his mowing. Very few people here have sprinkling systems, so you water with a hose and sprinkler. We haven't bought a sprinkler yet, but we need to get one soon, because our grass isn't very green anymore. We also have a dandelion problem, so we are trying to get that under control. I didn't take any pictures of our yard, because it isn't all that pretty right now, but we are going to plant some flowers and get it looking nice. It's been fun to have a yard to do some work in. This is the first time since we've been married that we've had a yard to take care of, so we are still learning. Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures with you, from around town, so you can see how beautiful it is here in Mankato during the spring. I'm still in awe of how green and beautiful everything is. I took two pictures of some trees that are completely covered in blossoms. I don't know what type they are, but they are absolutely beautiful. I've seen three colors of blossoms, white, pink, and red. The pink ones have really faded now, so they aren't as pretty, but I took a picture of a white tree and a red tree, which has faded to a dark pink color. Hope you enjoy a little of sprintime in Mankato.

Montana Trip

Jon reading to Hannah

Adam & Marisa

Marisa is 5 months pregnant

Evie, Hannah, Ruthie, & Danny

Jacob Luke

Ruthie Bowden

Hannah Luke

We had such a great time on our trip to Montana. Monday morning, we went to breakfast with our parents and my brother Nick before they headed home. Jon and I stayed for a week visiting friends. I went in to work to see my co-workers. It was good to visit, but I was glad not to be working there anymore. It was a great job, but I am enjoying not having to work very much. We spent every evening with a different family. Everyone was so kind to invite us to dinner. We had dinner with the Bowdens, Lukes, Blatters, Caffreys and the Zetterquists. We stayed with the Zetterquists during our trip, because they don't have kids yet, and they had a spare room and bed. Thanks so much for letting us stay. It was great! We didn't do too much, other than a lot of visiting. We did get to go see the movie Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian with the Zetterquists, and we also went hiking Saturday morning. Jon got fried on our hike; we should have worn sunscreen. It's amazing how quickly your body gets acclamated to lower elevation. I struggled on our hike, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I'm a little weak, I used to have no problem hiking in the mountains. Ruth and Tracy invited me over for a girls luncheon. We had a great time catching up. I was sad others couldn't come, but I understand schedules get crazy. All in all, we had such a great time. It felt so normal to be in Bozeman again. It almost felt as though we hadn't really been gone for nine months. I cried when it was time to leave, I felt like we should still live in Bozeman. I didn't want to leave our friends again. Coming home to Mankato this time, I really felt like this is my home now. The longer we are here, the more I know it will feel like home. We sure miss all of our great friends in Bozeman. We look forward to seeing you next year on our trip to Utah. We loved seeing all of you and thanks for your warm welcome.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you. Jon and I were fortunate enough to spend Mother's Day with our own mothers this year. Both sets of parents came to Bozeman to be with Jon for graduation, and it just so happened, that graduation was the same weekend as Mother's Day. We had a very nice day! Jon made dinner for our mothers, I helped, but he did most of the work. It was wonderful just to be with them. They are both wonderful ladies, and we are very lucky to have been blessed with such amazing mothers. We love you both and appreciate all you do for us. We hope to live closer to both of you again someday. Mom I want you to know how much you mean to me. You have been such a great example to me throughout my life. I appreciate all that you have done for me throughout the years. You are a wonderful mom, and I am proud to be your daughter. It was fun spending Mother's Day with you. I love you! Kathy thank you for raising such a wonderful son. He is so kind and thoughtful, qualities I know he got from you. Thanks, you are a great mother-in-law.

Graduation!

Last July Jon defended his dissertation, so he was officially graduated, but I thought it would be great for him to walk at graduation this year. We drove back to Bozeman for graduation, which was May 10th. It was great to see Jon in his graduation gown and then to see him on stage as his name was read, and see him hooded as an official PhD graduate. Jon's parents, my parents and my brother Nick all came up to spend the weekend with us. Our good friends Adam and Marisa went out of town for the Mother's Day weekend, so they were kind enough to let us stay at their apartment. It was tight quarters for a few days, but we had a good time. It was wonderful having family with us for a few days. Congratulations Babe! I am so proud of you. I love you!!