Categories
Activities

Car Shopping, Kalona Revitalization, and Friends

The past week has been an enjoyable and event-filled one.  We have been shopping for a car for several months now and have renewed our efforts again.  Interested in the Hyundai Accent SE – a five door hatchback – we located one in Cedar Rapids.  On Saturday, we drove up to view the vehicle only to find it sold 20 minutes before we arrived.  The SE model has been particularly hard to find as it seems to disappear the moment it reaches a dealership.  After talking to a sales rep, we have an on-going search for the car and will hopefully come up with something soon.

Coming back to Kalona, the family went out to celebrate the Kalona downtown grand opening.  The downtown area of the town recently went through a major revitalization project and looks great!  It included new streets and sidewalks, lampposts, and hanging flower baskets.  Being famous for quilt square patterns, the downtown also has a walking tour of quilt square designs built into the sidewalk.  Saturday held events such as a fun run, bike ride, and street celebration with food vendors, beer garden, and live music, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

On Sunday, we attended church at St. Patrick’s on the eastern side of Iowa City.  The church had been hit by a tornado a number of years ago and built a beautiful new church, which also has LEED certification.  It has a very open feel, dark wood, and marble interior, giving it a very impressive look.  Afterward we ate brunch with our friend Mike and his girlfriend Erin.

Today finally brought much needed rain to the region, in a series of slow showers that lasted most of the afternoon.  Jacob had developed a slight cough, so the men hung out at home.  He is in good spirits and seems to be doing well.  We’re looking forward to this weekend as Jon’s family is coming down to visit.

Finally, I have been neglecting photo uploads, so here are a number to view (complements of my phone):