Monday, January 12, 2026

Top Moments in Iowa: Part 2

- Hummer Bell -

You can't make up stories like the Hummer Bell...
We got the help serve food for this incredible event, and we loved it! It was an amazing day of interfaith connections and great food. 

- The Giving Machine - 
The Giving Machines came to Iowa City this year. While they're easy to access in Utah, it's a big deal when they come to locations in other states. Our Stake helped host some events and music. Eliza got to play in a string quartet. Michael, Hazel, and I volunteered one day. Overall it was a very beautiful addition to our Christmas season. 

- Trying New Things - 
Moving to a new place means ample opportunities to try new things. All three girls tried attending the Mid-Prairie Homeschool Assistance program for classes one day a week. Lenora is in the middle school program and LOVED it. Hazel and Eliza tried the high school program, and while it was okay, they decided not to continue next semester (it's a really long drive). 

Another major new thing for Eliza is girls wrestling. West Branch High school is really small, so when Eliza decided she wanted to try a sport at the high school, the only two options for winter were basketball and wrestling. She decided to try wrestling! It's been HARD and had a steep learning curve. But she's stuck with it, and we're so proud of her! 



- SNOW! -
From just after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas, we had several big snow storms. Our house was a beautiful winter wonderland. The kids LOVED it! Our backyard is perfect for sledding. So far we haven't had more than a dusting since, but there's still plenty of winter left... 

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