The McGinnis Inn

 

Grandma JoJo + Papa Don drove up from McPherson to visit and stay for dinner and overnight before their flight to Florida the next day. Kate pretended like our house was a hotel and she was the manager.

She sep up a table in our front room.

Ready for her guests!

Bear watched from the front window - as the McGinnis Inn "Greeter"

Our guests have arrived! They asked for a non-smoking room . . .

Kate asked the guests to write down any "mishaps" - 

The weather was gorgeous so we grilled chicken and veggies on the grill, ate out on the back deck and I made a fun Memorial Day themed pie for dessert!

Bear was wiped out from all the excitement at the Inn!

Kate got a good review . . .

Molly's Dance Recital!

 Molly started Miller Marley Hip Hop Dance this year. I was so proud of her as she LOVES dance but  knew no one else taking this specific style and it was 5th grade and older so she was the youngest in the class. Every Thursday night she went this entire school year with her mask on, not knowing anyone and her bravery to follow her passion (even when doing it alone) impressed me so much. Last night was her recital downtown at the Music Hall. 

Nervous and excited

Her biggest fans, playing Uno downtown on a park bench - while waiting to be let into the theatre.

We made it in!

Molly is far left on the stage. Starts in the back row then comes up to front.

She still looks like the little girl from Tippi Toes Dance to me sometimes . . . 

Little sister telling her ALL her favorite parts!

Time for ice-cream!

End of 2nd + 5th Grade!

 We made it! HUGE thank you to our Cure' of Ars teachers and staff who fought to teach our kids in person this year. I'm sure it wasn't easy with all the extra rules this year . . .mask wearing and hand sanitizing regularly and keeping kids seperated and sitting 6 feet apart, lunchroom closed, etc. But, they did it! And they gave these kids a GREAT year where they could have the social benefits with their peers while also learning in person! Both girls were so sad this week to see the year come to an end - so that tells you just how special it was!

As in tradition, the 2nd grade class had their Annual Market Day where they came up with a product, created it, marketed and sold it to the rest of the grade. Kate and her friends made slime at our house and then marketed it to their friends. It was a hit and they sold out!

Love when the end of the year projects and art work come home . . . much more comes home with Kate it seems in 2nd than in 5th - but still enjoy whatever I can see!

Kate's fox

Molly's candy painting . . . 

Molly's dog painting and collage won the annual "Masterpiece" award from her art teacher!

Kate's poem, titled "Blue"

Last week of school snow cones!

The 2nd grade girls in Kate's classroom . . .

The words Kate's class used to describe her - the teacher had them made into an object framed for each child . . .love this idea so much!

Kate's poem and self portrait about herself . . .

School is OUT for summer! We celebrated with blue slushies!!!

And Molly made snickerdoodles!

The neighborhood Scooter Gang is back in action . . . 

May Days . . .

 

The world is opening back up, everyone is vaccinated,  and masks are coming off! 

It's a beautiful May! The neighborhood is GREEN and Bear is loving his first Spring and our longer walks every day!

My morning weekend view . . . Molly has become an excellent baker.

Lots of rain let Kate played in the puddles with her AG Doll . . .

Bear gets excited when the peanut butter jar is empty as we sometimes let him lick the jar clean! Peanut butter is his FAVORITE treat!

Dinner parties are back and we are so excited to host friends again!

Happy May!

Sedona Sister Weekend!!

 I earned an incentive trip through Rodan + Fields in fall of 2019, and my sister was to turn 40 just a few months later in March of 2020 so I asked her if she'd like to join me on her birthday weekend to celebrate her birthday in Sedona! Well, the global pandemic kind of haltered those dreams at the last minute when we had to cancel just 3 weeks before our trip last year! 

We were luckily able to reschedule and went this past weekend and let's just say - the wait was totally worth it! We had the BEST time ever! The Enchantment Resort was truly magical and so peaceful! As soon as we arrived, we were relaxed! It was heaven - and we didn't want to leave!

We flew into Phoenix from Denver and KC, then rented a car to drive north to the mountains of Sedona! The drive there was gorgeous!

Rodan + Fields always does everything first class - we were pampered all weekend long!

The resort was GORGEOUS - and we were spoiled upon arrival. 

Our view from our balcony.

We immediately dropped our luggage and put on our swimsuits to head to the pool for Happy Hour on Friday afternoon!

My beautiful little sister.

We decided to do a sunset hike before dinner on one of the many trails around the property . . .

Sister Time!

This is where we had a late dinner - around this bonfire.

When we came back to our room, this was waiting for us - a plate of chocolate!!

Saturday morning we were up early for breakfast and then a 3 hour hike . . . stopped at the Trailhouse to check out the trail maps - very cool new building on the property!

Don't feed the bears!

We are off to explore . . .

Our happy place . . . 

We found a really cool spot to hike straight up for this view - to come . . .

The view!!!!

Hiking back down . . .

When we got home after 3 hours of hiking - we threw on our swimsuits and headed to the pool for lunch and a swim! This view does not get old!

Time for Pina coladas!

We made lots of friends at the pool and the resort! Wish we had gotten their pix with us!

Saturday night dinner with a view . . .

Amazingly relaxed. We had NO cell service and it was so nice.

The stars were unbelievable.

Sunday morning we got up at 6 for an earlier morning hike before breakfast . . . 

Another gorgeous desert sky!

Made it to the end of the trail!

So grateful I went "my own way" with this job after 14 years in the Corporate world. Love working for myself and setting my own hours around our families schedule so I can be present for all the things!

Molly, my interior designer child, asked us to take a pix of the room layout for her . . .

Our walk to breakfast from our casita . . .

Hard to leave but what a weekend it has been!