~~ODNEAL FAMILY BLOG~~Port of Readlyn, Iowa

 This plant is one of many that my SIL Helen brings me every fall to transplant and this year it came up beautiful.  And Bruce got tired of waiting for me to get all of our stuff out that goes along the house so he set my "angel" by this beautiful plant.  It reminds me of the purple stuff I see along the interstate and highways so maybe it isn't special,  but I think it looks awesome beside my beautiful angel.  I wish I could recall how she came to be mine.  Maybe my MIL I'm thinking?  Or maybe I bought it.  I don't know but I do love it.  She sits by the antique cast iron pot that was my Mom's that I fill full of beautiful flowers every year that everyone sees as they pass by our house.  And I have to give a shout out to Bruce for helping me so much tonight as my "to do" list was extremely long and he planted my garden for me.  Yep for those of  you that know I am a control freak somewhat he did and did a GREAT job!  Than...

 So we've been a little bit busy the past couple of weeks.  Our WV track boys and girls made it to the State Track meet and of course Tyler made it in all four of his events which we are very proud of.  He made it in the open 200, shuttle hurdle relay, 4 x 200, and 4 x 100.  We went down Thursday morning and came home Saturday afternoon after the final for the 4 x 100.  Ty went in at 15th in the 200 and came out 14th.  Our shuttle hurdle went in at 14th and came out 13th.  We placed 3rd in the 4 x 200 and 6th in the 4 x 100.  Very proud of all of them and they did a great job.  This picture is of Ty in the lineup for his very first run which was the open 200.  I have many more to share but just do not have the time tonight.  I did post them on FB but just not on here yet.  Just wanted to share one picture that I got and say sorry family but I have been extremely busy and neglecting the blog terribly.  Sorry!  And now ...

 Just a few photos from the weekend.  Had a fun time with friends on the sandbar on Saturday and then made a nice brunch for Mom In Law Joey and friends on Sunday.  We took a long pontoon boat ride with Mom & Dad O. and stopped on the sandbar to chat with more friends.  All in all it was a pretty good weekend.  The best part of it was stopping to see Ava tonight after we got home.  She made my day.  And the pictures of the trees is an eagle nest along the river.  It didn't seem as big as most but was awesome to see.  And the griddle Kyle got me for my birthday worked great on the grill.  I think Bruce has found a new way to cook breakfast at the houseboat.  Everyone have a great week and and I hope all you Moms out there had a fun day spent with family and/or friends like I did.  It truly is what is important in life.  And we all know that is way too short!  I miss my Mom everyday but am so glad that I have a Moth...

2012 Class 2A Track District Champions Wapsie Valley Warriors We are so excited and still on an adrenaline rush I think from last night.  Our boys won the meet which is huge for our first year moving up to 2A, and Tyler not only qualified but got first place in 3 out of 4 of his events.  The 4 x 100, 4 x 200, and open 200m Dash got first and our shuttle hurdle got 3rd, but we are still waiting to see if our time was good enough to make it to state.  We will know today.  I am so proud of Tyler.  He ran his best, and when I gave him a thumbs up when he looked over at me after his open 200 he gave me a thumbs up back and a big smile.  Yep my heart melted and the tears streamed down my cheeks.  I didn't lose it and do the ugly cry but boy was I a proud Momma!  Great job to all of our track girls and boys.  And cannot wait to watch you all run Thursday, Friday, and hopefully Saturday too in some finals at the State Track Meet in Des...

A couple of weeks ago when we went to the houseboat this cool "creature" was hanging out on the dock all the time.  So of course I had to snap a couple pictures.  They were taken through the houseboat window but still turned out pretty cool.  Just thought I'd share.  Been too busy with track and everything else to do much posting.  Thursday is the District meets and hopefully Ty qualifies in a few events.  That would be awesome.  Everyone have a great Wednesday!   

 You are a wonderful person inside and out and I love you tons.  Thank you for all that you do for us all year long.  And thanks for loving and taking care of my bro Bart!  He is lucky to have you in his life as are we.  Hope you had a great day and got to do something fun.  Can't wait to share my bright moon pictures with you that I tried to capture last night to make you proud.  Haven't uploaded them yet but I'm not sure they are too impressive.  I tried.  That is all I can say!  You are awesome and we love you!

This past weekend we headed to the river Friday night after watching Ty run at Drake Relays so that we could volunteer and help with the annual river cleanup day.  The weather was not ideal (rainy, cold and just plain miserable) but they had a great turnout.  We got to see some baby geese (goslings?) that were fun to watch, helped beautify the back sides of the islands, and got our boat ready for the boating season.  We (well lets be honest-Bruce did) put up new blinds, new carpet on the front deck, and helped our friends get their boat in the water for the season.  It was a very fun weekend spent with friends.  Saturday night we went down to our friends houseboat for chili and cocktails and had a very good time.  Sunday morning I took my honey out to breakfast and it was amazing.  Cannot wait for the houseboating season to get under way.  We plan to move our boat back to the marina next weekend and then let the fun begin!  Now if this Iowa...

Happy May Day and happy birthday to my daddy who would have been 84 today I believe.  I don't have a picture of him on the laptop to post (don't have very many pictures of Dad at all actually) but if he was still here with us it would have just been another day.  That is probably why I am that way also and don't make big deals out of too many birthdays.  Except of course when the kids were little.  That is different.  So if you get a basket on May Day lucky you.  My Granny always said that Dad was left on the front doorstep in a basket on this day but we knew better as she had 12 children total.  I don't think any were left there on the doorstep!  Cannot believe my parents have been gone now since 1999, but I miss them terribly every single day.  Especially so on certain days but definitely every day.  Hopefully May will bring that awesome weather back that we had in March.  Our houseboat is ready to start being used for the season ...