My 20th Workiversary

I celebrated 20 years at my job on May 1st and was humbled with a small celebration including a cookie cake :). Im so proud of myself for continuing on with my nursing career through babies and life's changes and everything else. Props to Dave for seeing the value of my job and stepping up at home and being such a supportive partner in order for me to make my work commitments. Nursing isn't a very glamorous gig, but its rewarding and fulfilling in so many ways and it works with the ebs and flows of life. Im so thankful I made the decision to be a nurse at the ripe young age of 17 as I was applying to colleges, it was one of the best ones I've made and has lead me to a full life. 

Im thankful for the many many friends, and one husband (:)) I've collected along the way. 

Dave was even invited to the party. ;)

A handful of my fantastic current coworkers. 

Proud of Piper

Piper had a couple of notable mentions in a week's span including an Una Manada award at school where she was recognized for her kindness and her sense of humor by her teacher, Srta. Medina. I kept the award a surprise and surprised she was. She was so nervous and excited and proud of herself. We are all so proud, too. She then participated in a an orchestra contest with two of her friends. They took it very serious and practiced together ahead of the event. They did great! 

Keep it up, Pip! 

Piper and Srta Medina.

A family celebration at 7:30am :)

Let's Go Orchestra! 

Ruby, Maggie, Piper, and Mrs Sipp

Celebrating Sophia

Sophia's loving aunts (me included :)) had the best time planning Sophia's bridal shower and left no stone unturned to make it so special for her. I think it was perfect. We hosted it at Oak and Olive and had a plant theme. We brought our plants from home to make an impressive back drop, propagated plants from our own plants to create a propagation station, had a fantastic charcuterie spread. and the most lovely center pieces, allowing each of us to use our own creative touches. 

Sophia was so grateful and it was so fun to see her showered with love and goodness in anticipation of her special day, only a month away. We love you, Sophia! 

The space. 

Besty for the resty. 

Charcuterie spread.

Connelly side cousins with Grandma.

Sophia and Mandy.

Propagation station. 

Sophia and her Aunts
Shelley, Mag, Jamie, Sophia, Liz, Tish, and I. 

State Theatre Golden Gala

Dave, Mag, Jeff and I attended the State Theatre Golden Gala which coincided with their 100 year anniversary, and had the most fun. We are so lucky to have this gem of a theatre in downtown Sioux Falls and were happy to celebrate it, it was a fantastic double date. 

The dress that keeps on giving. :)

Quad Sqad

From the upper deck. 

Subbaluble #4 and the Noble Gnarble

Piper was perfectly cast as a sassy Subbaluble in Spotlight's 'The Journey of the Noble Gnarble.' Dave an I had perma-a-grins through the entire performance. We are so proud of her and thankful for her faithful fans. 

Sassiest

The Olivers! 

Matt and Cass. 

S, G, & P. 

Grandpa and Grandma with Piper and Sabrina. 

Sarah and Cal. 

Ruby, Mags, and Piper. 

Ruby, Piper, and Khloe. 

Srta. Medina and Sr. Ledesma 

Pip.

Stella and Audrey. 

Spring Break Sister Style

Maggie and I made the most out of Spring Break. We had initially planned to go to Breckenridge with the Olivers, and then one thing lead to another. She and I ended up driving her car with all of the ski supplies and snuck in a girls' weekend with a couple of friends on our way, efficient and fun! 

We kicked off the week with a weekend in Nebraska City with a low key spa weekend at the Lied Lodge with Sarah and Jamie. We ate good food, drank good wine, went to the spa, and caught some March Madness. It was the perfect amount of rest and fun. 

Mag and I hit I-80 the following day and made our way to the Gaylord near Denver where we enjoyed the hotel amenities, specifically the sunset views, the bar's acoustic singer, and it's interesting guests, a mom from Montana and a Mayor from Idaho. The fun never ends when we are left to our own devices. 

Finally we made it to Breckenridge where the rest of our family met us. The skiing was terrible thanks to a warm spring, but we made the most of it with good dinners, long walks, a trip to Glenwood Springs for an afternoon of floating, an escape rooms for the kids, and an Easter Egg hunt on Easter morning. We did end up at Copper Mountain for half day of difficult slushy skiing, but that was enough for most of us. We had fun nonetheless. The kids were in heaven. 

Until next time! 

Lied Lodge

Gaylord Sunset 

Fam photo near The Maggie. 

Easter Egg hunt. 

Sully and Isaac.

The girls, Anna, Greta, and Pip. 

Games on games on games. 

Twinning. 

Springs. 

Sister Style