April 2025

I need to get caught up, so here is the month of April:

Lucia did a great job in Alice in Wonderland.
Susan enjoyed a ride in Shelley’s convertible.
Rose’s grade participated in FiGBRAC.
We dyed Easter eggs.
The kids hunted for Easter baskets.
The kids hunted for Easter eggs inside, due to the rain.
Easter Dinner
Andrew didn’t make it home for Easter, but we got to watch him participate in a weightlifting showcase.

NYE 2024

We had the usual NYE party this year, with the Reagens, Mimi and Papa, and Mary Connor was in town. Lucia went to a friend’s house. The morning included the 2025 version of cupcakes wars.

Erin, Susan and Mary
Baking in progress
The final products

Christmas Eve

This year for Christmas Eve we went to Holy Trinity church with the Reagens and Mimi and Papa. This is where we used to go to church regularly and it was fun to be back. Then we drove around and looked at Christmas lights, including Hoi, Hoi, Hoi.

Liesland and Reagen Kids
Liesland Kids
The Lieslands
The Girls
Family photo
Hoi, Hoi, Hoi

Christmas Parties!

We had a variety of Christmas parties this winter.

Small family pic at a friend’s house
The Clauses at friends house
Christmas Cantata a Hope Church
Lucia and Rose at Hope Church
Ruben getting into the spirit
Christmas party with friends
Christmas Party at Mimi and Papa’s

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year followed the traditional schedule.

The boys and I ran the Turkey Trot in the morning.
Thanksgiving dinner with Gary and Kathie.
Thanksgiving movie – Moana 2 (6/10).
Bonus pic: decorating our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Beggars’ Night 2024

Happy Halloween! This year we trick or treated on Halloween – a major break from tradition in Des Moines. Jack joined us this year for our traditional trip around the neighborhood and visit to the Thompsons’ and Rick and Donna’s.

Pumpkin Carving

This year we have been busy and we waited until October 30th to carve our pumpkins. Normally we are trick or treating tonight, because of Beggars’ Night, but it was postponed because of stormy weather so we were able to get our pumpkins carved.

Carving
Porching

4th of July Fun

Parking garage sparklers as we wait for Yankee Doodle Pops.
Hope and Elliot
Pool time on the 4th.
Sparkler time as we wait for the Reagen fireworks in our neighborhood.

Father’s Day

For Father’s Day today Lucia, Rose and I enjoyed a very hot bike ride to Dairy Queen then did some light grilling on our “new” grill scavenged from our neighbor’s garbage. At least once or twice a summer we do te bike ride to Dairy Queen – about 4 miles each way.

Easter 2024

  • Easter Eve church at Hope
  • Easter Eve dinner at Cheesecake Factory
  • Easter Basket Hunt
  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Easter dinner with the Reagens and Liesses
  • Easter whiffle ball game