The Powell's annual Harry Potter Party

We've missed it every year, and this year I promised we could go, so I drove the kids back to NB... It was so fun! I was glad I didn't have to do all that work for out own HP party...
 

The move from NB to Spring

It nearly broke our hearts to move...we postponed it as long as possible... but we finally ripped off the band-aid and did it...

Hardest move ever... in so many ways... one difficulty was that we needed an extra truck... so I ended up driving it... never ever thought I would have to do that.  As I was sitting in the cab, ready to leave, Preston said, , it drives like a van, looks like a truck... that's what was written on the side of the truck... I kept repeating that during the drive to keep from freaking out... we had tropical storm rains on the way, and lots of construction, but we made it... our help on both ends was sketchy... the professionals we hired weren't good workers, we kept catching one on his phone... the young men had to be directed on every tiny thing .... our helped on the other end... well night one we didn't have as many as thought.... and night 2 we had none... I called Jessica Hansen on the way and she was thankfully able to round up some young men to help.  Her husband and kids came too... The Jordan's came too... Then we realized, even though we sold a lot, we just had more than could comfortably fit in our rental... It was hard to sell, then we had multiple offers too late... then we wished the buyers would back out so we didn't have to move... Covid's not going anywhere, so Doug's still working at home... so our reason to move disappeared... 

Ihop for dinner

 

Sophia's First Job- Schlitterbahn Lifeguard

 

Water Fun

Landa Park Wading Pool

Swimming and Brian and Denise's (our neighbors)

Cypress Bend Park (Logan was excited to play with the new ball his teacher gave him for the end of the year)

Mother Daughter Kayaking for Young Womens

Schlitterbahn Fun

We finally tried Boogie Bahn!  We all loved it! Especially Preston.  Preston persevered until he got so he could stay out there forever!

Layla has season passes this year, so we frequently brought her with us

Schlitterbahn during Covid was great!  Short lines, reservations required, and only the new side was open, but we were so glad any part was open.  And our passes are good for next year!  Double bonus!

 

Concoctions

A new favorite past time for these two is to have a baking challenge without a recipe.  They mix what ever ingredients they want and see what the result is.  These muffins actually tasted pretty good. Logan made a tasty lemon lime tasting cake made from soda.  It was good too, when eaten the day of.  These boys are creative.

 

Ethan's Baking

 Ethan made these cute bird nests out of Rice Krispy treats.  We saw the idea using crunchy chow mein noodles and peanut butter and chocolate.  Since he doesn't like any of those ingredients, but he loves birds and loved the idea of making bird nests, he came up with another plan. They turned out great!

One of our onions sprouted and Ethan was quick to come up with a plan to plant the sprout.  He figured out a planter (extra Easter basket) found some dirt and planted the sprout.  He also researched what the onion would need to grow, and where to place it for the best success.  (High sun, light water).   Using his talents!

Ethan’s got talent! These snickerdoodles were some of the best I’ve ever had!

Ethan outdid himself with homemade donuts... I had never dared try to make them.  But Ethan wasn't scared.  We read and followed the directions and they were delicious!