December 2015 Happenings

Carter's mummy project for 6th grade Social Studies

 The kids were excited about the Advent calendar again this year and one of their favorites is always Grinch Punch.  We snuggled up on the couch to watch the movie and drink the sugar, yummy drink.

Christmas at Gigi's Playhouse

 Carter has recently become interested in wrestling and just this once, let him sign up for both basketball and wrestling.  This was his first-ever tournament. We were so proud of him for trying something new.

More advent calendar activities -- Gingerbread house making.

Carter and Daddy's Christmas present.

 Christmas morning in our new clothes.

After nearly 4 years, Michaela, Jennifer and I were able to get together over break.  The kids got along well, although they are all growing too fast!  We went swimming and then back to our house for pizza and games.  We've got a reminder on the google calendar in a few months, so hopefully 5 years doesn't go by without seeing each other again!

Christmas at the Dodd house shenanigans:)  Minute-It-To-Win-It Christmas games; Matthew vs. Cameron at Candycane Pick up, Lanie vs Colyn at Ornament Roll, Carter vs Kaleigh at Catch the Kisses, Kedra vs. Grandma at Snowball pick up, Kaelan vs Grandpa at Cookie Shuffle, and Shannon vs Steve at Wreath" Toss.  We also did a rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas that we saw at the Talent Factory a couple weeks before, with actions.  The food was wonderful and we were thankful to get to be together.

Let's see. . . highlights of gifts; Kaleigh got a SeaHawks jersey that she went crazy over, Carter got a Fat Head for his room, Cameron and Kaelan got video games, Colyn got headphones for when he plays video games, Lanie got clothes and Doc McStuffins figurines, Shannon got mixed nuts, Steve got an ISU sweatshirt, Matthew got a box full of school supplies, I got good Shampoo and Conditioner, Grandpa got a Theisen's gift card, and Grandma got slippers.

Christmas morning, December 25, 2015

November 2015 Happenings

At the very end of October we had family pictures taken by a family friend.  We'd never had any outside pictures and it had been way too long since we'd had whole family pictures.  Pictures were taken down by the bridge by our house and we were so grateful to find time to get them done.  Next time need to get a picture of just Carter and Lanie together.

We had amazing Fall weather!  This picture was taken on the first day of November.  I just had to get Lanie and a friend outside to play (notice Lanie is in a tank top!)  We took Gracie and went to Dakins Lake for a picnic and to play on the outdoor playscape.

Aiden and Jeremy came for supper on a Saturday night and then we went Glow Bowling.  Great way to have fun and catch up on each other's lives.

So thankful for Mrs. Knott's compassion for our daughter.  Lanie did a great job at her Fall Student-Led conference and loves to be in this class!

We have a scooter rider!

Had a great time with friends at Iowa's Premier Beer, Food, and Wine Expo.  Tasted about 50 different wines and beers and then went over to Buzzard Billy's to eat.

So thankful for Lanie's girl scout troop.  This meeting the girls are learning about DNA by drawing the DNA out of strawberries!  So cool!

 

Celebrated Dad's 61st and Shannon's 34th at Fuji with the family.  Great show and really yummy food:)

Carter had his fall band concert and his first concert playing the tuba.  He was happy and sounded great.

Lanie had her 4th and final Harvest Gathering.  Such a proud and sad moment to think she won't be in my building next year.  Where does the time go?  She looks like such an angel singing this song, probably at the top of her lungs:)

October 2015 Happenings

October was a fabulous month in Iowa.  The weather was unbelievably warm and so many fun things to do outside in the fall.

Bondurant Orchard for Girl Scouts

3rd (or 4th) Run for the Roses and absolutely the best weather yet:)  Joy and I both placed in our age groups!

Back to the same orchard/ pumpkin patch but this time with Mindy and Aidan.  We also picked out pumpkins to bring home from here.

And that's a wrap.  Carter is officially done being a Titan and moving on to be a Nevada Cub football player.  He seemed to enjoy the game and made lots of new friends.

Lanie got to bring Camlyn to the Halloween costume party at Gigi's Playhouse.  Had a lot of fun and ate way too many sweets:)

We finally made our trip to the Omaha Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa.  We stayed in a hotel with a pool the night before and ordered pizza for supper.  The next morning we were at the gates of the zoo at opening and stayed nearly 6 hours.  Unfortunately the back side of the zoo (all the African safari) was closed because of renovations.  I'm sure it'll be fantastic when its done.

The bumble bee and bee catcher.

Went out on Friday night with couples to the Other Place for Halloween.  Always fun to dress up and catch up on each other's lives:)

Talk about waiting until the last minute... we finally carved pumpkins at about 3pm the day of Trick or Treating.  Carter and our pumpkin we drilled and Lanie wanted to paint hers.

Carter went trick or treating with Keegan and his family on "the bus".  We went out to Lynch's neighborhood and went trick or treating with other families after having chili potluck at Grimms.  It was a really great time.