Austine's graduation April, 2016

On 4/26, my darling son Ben's birthday, we left the Double Nickle RV campground in York, NE and headed to Iowa.  The campground was really pretty interesting.  New owners had taken over about 2 years ago and are doing a lot of work on it.  All the sites have a double swing. They are right next a private golf course. The cool thing about this is that they have swings facing the golf course where you can sit and watch ( Kirk prefers to taunt).  Someday, when they are all done this will be a really nice campground.  The only con we had at this time, was that they were rather expensive for being under construction and not all amenities available yet.  

We arrived in Gladbrook in the afternoon.  We stayed at Union Grove State Park.  We've stayed there before as it's just 6 miles from town.  That made it easy to get to Kirks mom's in Gladbrook.  We had a nice couple of days with her.  We ate at the new restaurant in town, Spankys, and had tenderloins from Beamans one afternoon. 

Mavis having supper at Spankys in Gladbrook 

On 4/28 we went out to supper with Heather, Charlie, Damon, and Kaylee.  We had a nice visit although, I think Damon would have rather been somewhere else playing his games. He's at that age you know.   

The next day we packed up and drove the RV to Hartford, Iowa to Webbs RV campground. We stayed here as this was Austine's college graduation weekend and this was the closest we could get to Indianola.  She graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Sociology. She has accepted a position as Director of a Day Care. Kirk and I took her out to eat the night before her graduation.  She picked Jason's BBQ and Bacon, Bacon, Bacon in West Des Moines.  What a yummy place.   We had a great time and conversation. Austine is an awesome young lady and we wish her the best.  The next day we attended her graduation.  They could do a little better on being organized, but it was a great day for her. We are so proud of her!!  After graduation, we headed to Wonewoc, WI. We will be staying at Chapparal Campground while I complete my next assignment in the Wisconsin dells.  

Can't believe this little buddy turned 33 years old this year.  

So proud of this young lady.  Congratulations Austine!

Lindsey, Mason, and Papa Kirk.   Mason excited to see big sister graduate. 

She did it!!!

Awesome couple, Austine and boy Jordan!

Carrie and John and family Utah 2016

Kirk and I arrived at the Springville/Provo RV campground on Friday, 4/22.  We were here to visit Carrie and her family for a couple of days.  We arrived just in time to see Taylor play one of her soccer games. The weather was perfect.  She did an awesome job. Those girls love to gab on the field.  Their team won despite the fact that their coach never has them practice.  After the game, Paul, the other papa loaded all the dirt bikes in his truck and we went out to watch the kids ride.  These kids are great on their bikes. Even the 5 year old who's been riding since he was 3.  Pizza and conversation ended the evening at their home.  

Taylor winning the game!

Brayden and Dakota riding with Papa and grandma 

Dakota got a little air on this jump

Dirt bike fun: John and Dakota, Jasmine, Kael, Kyler, Brayden 

The next day was rainy and cool so we decided to take the family to a movie. They all wanted to go swimming, but Brayden was fighting "almost bronchitis ", and we didn't think swimming was a good idea.  The majority chose to see Zootopia which was really a cute, entertaining kid movie.  Of course, I go for the popcorn.  That evening we took the kids, and Paul and Lois ( John's parents) to Golden Corral ( their choice) for supper.  The kids totally overloaded on the desserts and were on a sugar high.  We all went back to the RV and just enjoyed each other's company. 

Silly kids!

Angels: Jasmine, Brayden, Kyler, Dakota, Kael, and Taylor

We left early Sunday morning in hopes of reaching Big Springs, NE for the night. Well, we got as far as Rawlins, WY. The interstate was closed to Laramie, WY due to snow.  So, we stayed at Western Hills Campground in Rawlins.  We had beautiful driving weather on Monday and stopped in York, NE for the evening at the Double Nickle Campground.  This was a cute campground with huge potential.  Thre are swings at all campsites, a fire pit, and picnic table.  The owners are actively putting a lot of work into it.  It is next to a golf course, so you can sit on the swings and watch the golfers ( or comment on their playing as Kirk likes to do). The only con to this place was the rates were slightly excessive for being early season, under construction and all the amenities not yet available. 

At least the road was clear headed towards Laramie, WY.