May 2017- New travels

I have been attempting to pull together enough interest in the community to teach art lessons from my house. I had to give up on my 12 week sessions that I offered in Brigham City through Winter, as the local's year-round school schedule doesn't allow enough time for it. I am now offering a shorter 5 lesson, 1 week Art Camp in  July. I had a few young preschool age children signed up from referral from Discovery Kids preschool. I had a small turn out to my Meet and Greet art night.

Meanwhile, Matt has been putting a lot of time and effort in his "Garage Projects". He sold his last project for a profit and bought these Huffy gas powered bikes. They have a lovely patina from age and barely used. They just needed a little work to get working. Matt uses his evenings and weekend leisure time on these little projects and it allows him to connect with other members of the community that have the same interests.

We attended my little sister's College Graduation! She is now on her way in her career of public health education. She is working at Bear River Health Department to work on a project she begun with them during her internship. It was so great to back to USU and see her in her cap and gown! We are so proud.




We finished our 3 places in 3 months traveling series with a trip to Colorado! We were invited by Marissa's sister and Mom to stay in Highlands Ranch and visit. Of course, we want Otto to see his birth family as often as possible, but we were equally excited to see everyone again!We drove the south route through Price and I-70 and it was a beautiful drive. However, we hit every kind of weather imaginable. Sunny and warm when we left, we drove through fog, rain, snow, and high wind. I had no idea how amazing all those Rocky Mountain mining towns along the way.
The Millar family were so hospitable and welcoming to lend us a room to stay. Otto has been playing his "cousins" memory game at home and when we walked in the door, he knew his cousins Junior, Jackson, and Jonas right away! They were so excited to see Otto and loved to dote all over him. They gave him their old toys and took turns playing with him.



Marissa was excited for us to visit her Salon and meet her friends. Otto got his first (professional) haircut and played happily while I got treated to a new hairdo. I was incredibly pampered and well cared for. My hair was brought back to life with beautiful color. Ahhhhh.








Since we'd be so close to Colorado Springs, we arranged to see our old high school friend, Braden. He took us to the Garden of the Gods to hike around the red rocks. Then, we spent a day shopping at Manitou Springs. I bought some delicious dark cacoa raw chocolate from Ecuador. I could see myself opening a shop someday in a town like that and living happily ever after.
 It was great to hang out together again. Matt and Braden are like two brothers; years apart but they act like they've seen each other every day.










We spent the next day with Marissa and Zach. They took us to Tiny Town and had a little BBQ get-together for some of their friends to come over and meet Otto. We had a blast! Otto was in heaven getting spend the whole day with his Tummy Mommy! We saw all the Tiny Houses and buildings, rode the train, and bought souvenirs at the shop. We packed a picnic lunch.



































My favorite part of the visit was Mother's Day. Marissa came over and made blueberry pancakes and we all had breakfast together. Then, we had a wonderful day at church meeting everyone who knows and loves Marissa, the Millars, and Carolyn. Then, we had a delicious dinner and exchanging of little gifts for all the mothers. It was so touching and lovely to be with these incredible women that I love.

It was hard to say good-bye but the visit was so perfect.
















I was asked to represent Discovery Kids at Daybreak's community LadyBug festival. In true Reeder fashion, I dressed up for the part! I got to read garden and bug stories to kids at the festival and promote the preschool and their grand opening at a new location. I had a lot of fun doing what I do best.





 Back to regular life, we continued doing what we love to do. Otto being cute and happy always, while I keep going to exercise group almost every day.

We like to think we are rocking it on our ever-continuing pursuit of health and happiness.






Otto has been slowly introduced to the idea of potty-training while testing his maturity and readiness.
He is such a smart and happy kid, he does his jobs/chores every day.
He is now making his own big-boy bed, feed the dog every morning, and puts away the clean silverware in the drawer.

 We had our monthly Story Time event. It was Super Hero themed this time and all of Otto's little friends came over to read stories and make their own superhero craft. We sang songs about the Super Vowels and what it means to be a good super hero.


To finish the month, we arranged to celebrate Mother's Day/Otto's early birthday/Indy 500 Race Day/Memorial Day all-in-one at the Earl's. We wanted to have dinner with Becky since we missed spending time with her on Mother's Day. We got to honor her, and they spoiled me with gifts to beautify our home.
Then, it was the weekend before Otto's birthday so we had a cake for him. It also happened to be Race Day! I have increasingly enjoyed watching the race every year since moving from Indianapolis. It reminds me of home and all my friends still there. I want Otto to grow up with the tradition of watching the race together every year. We got our checkered flags, we picked our favorite drivers, and we watched as a family.

Our family came over to eat dinner with us and we sang for Otto and let him blow out his candles. He loves going to visit and play with his cousin Michael. The Earl/Rasmussen/Barber family makes him feel so loved and special too. Matt's grandma, Nana, spent the time playing with Otto in the sandbox. Doug and Kathy (Otto calls him BOB), were there to run around with Otto. Chris and Jena and Jordis came to eat dinner and cake with us. Special thanks to Jena for playing birthday photographer since we had finicky phones.
 It also happened to be Memorial Day weekend, so we walked off that chocolate cake by visiting our family's gravestones at the cemetery. I realized we have a lot of family to visit and remember that have passed, which could seem tragic. However, I choose to say how blessed we are to have them laid to rest close together. It was quite a walk around the cemetery as we visited:
The Earl siblings: Jason, Shawn, Aimee
Paul Webster (Mikee's dad)
Uncle Jeff and Grandpa Parley Thomas Rasmussen
Grandma and Grandpa Reeder
Uncle Charlie Earl
Grandpa Keith Reynolds
Friend Shea Liston.