The Accidental Boilermaker

 Our first full day in Los Angeles we started with a hike at Debs Regional Park.  Kate and Tom have a very nice view of the park from their apartment. We hiked up to the turtle pond. We saw three coyotes and several turtles and lots of pretty views.  We also visited the Audubon Center at the park. Adults walked around while the kids learned from the naturalist.  Back at the apartment, we had a quick lunch and then it was time to swim.  Soon after Katherine moved to LA she joined a running group - the Pasadena Pacers. My dad and Meredith have had the opportunity to run with the group before but this was my (and Jeremy’s) first time. Their Thursday run started at the Rose Bowl and basically went up hill for 3 miles. Meredith and I didn’t exactly know where to turn around so we did an extra half mile. The view was worth it.  Back at the bottom all together again.  Nate and Oma graciously agreed to supervise the kids while the rest of us went running. ...

 Last Wednesday we flew to Los Angeles to finally visit Kate and Tom (and Meredith, Jeremy and Hans and Oma and Grandpa). We had an early flight and still were the last to arrive. We met everyone at Kate’s apartment before heading to our air bnb. Next was Trader Joe’s for some groceries. Finally dinner at In-N-Out. It had been a long day but we made it.

 The last week, the last full week of school, was a busy one. We had all the normal stuff - piano, soccer, basketball.  My dad came to share with Evelyn and Jameson’s class about hiking and backpacking on Tuesday. Jameson class got to see the tents outside but it began raining too hard so we moved inside for Evelyn’s class. Wednesday we left late, after basketball practice, for Wisconsin for my grandma’s funeral. We all wanted to be there, even though it meant missing school and field day. Evelyn was probably the saddest about field day, but after the service she said she was thankful we all were there.  Nate and I both wanted to attend the burial but my dad encouraged us to start our drive home. The cemetery is in Illinois and would have added significant time to our trip back to Indiana. Grandma was 92 years old and now she is at home with the Lord. 

 The 5th grade program was last night. Jameson was asked to take pictures for the school’s digital newspaper. He took his job very seriously and I think took a few nice pictures without being a distraction to others.  The choir sang two songs.  Evelyn also performed with the jump bands for one song. She really could jump; she looked very springy.

 Sometimes sitting at soccer practice isn’t all bad. 

 Evelyn and I experienced our first Vera Bradley outlet sale. The sale happens every year but through girls on the run, I was received two tickets to the friends and family preview night. It was somewhat of an overwhelming experience. So many products and so many patterns and colors. But no crowds. People, yes, but long lines, no. I wanted a new bag for my new laptop so Evelyn helped me pick out one. She got a mini backpack and new headband for herself. We both had a lot of fun and were glad that we were able to check it out. 

 We had a busy but nice Easter weekend. Friday was day off of school, so met up with Bella and Millie for the afternoon. Saturday Jameson had two soccer games in South Bend and Evelyn had two basketball games in Fort Wayne so Nate and I split. We had invited Oma and Grandpa to come watch Jameson play soccer so I went to South Bend. Jameson’s team looked really good. They won their first game 5-1 and tied their second game 3-3. Jameson had 2 goals in the first game. Evelyn’s team lost their first game in OT and then won their second. She had one basket but Nate said she looked good overall. She’s playing in a co-ed league but not every team has any girls. Easter was a nice relaxing day. We dyed eggs before church and then made sugar cookies in the afternoon. I was not excited to make a big Easter dinner so we asked Oma and Grandpa if they’d bring us pierogi from Chicago. Fort Wayne just doesn’t have good pierogi. We had shredded beef, potato and cheese and sauerkraut ones with roast...