December 2016 Happenings

Lanie has had quite the busy month! She performed in her first band concert AND middle school chorus musical (she was a swan dancer).  We practiced a lot and she did wonderful!

PBL time at school

Making blankets at Girl Scouts

We spent Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's house.  We exchanged gifts for the first time using a Secret Santa.  It was fun to get to know about each other.  The kids seemed happy  with everything they got:)  After supper we played BINGO and planned our summer vacation to Colorado!

 We went to Allison and Jeff's house for lunch with his sisters on Christmas day.  The meal was delicious and it was good to catch up with everyone!  Next time I'll get a picture before Andrea leaves:(

 Carter on Christmas morning at our house was pretty excited for his robe and punching bag.

 Lanie on Christmas morning at our house, comfy in her new pajamas... still playing with Little People:)

Took a day trip during break to Bass Pro Shops, Goodwill and out to eat at Zombie Burger at the mall.  IT was good to be together as a family and not feel rushed.

November 2016 Happenings

Not too much exciting going on in our lives this month, I guess... or I forgot to take pictures:(  We went out to eat for Shannon and Dad's birthdays at Fuji's like every year.  Had a really great time together and of course  we all many of us LOVE the food!

On a spur of the moment, I bought tickets to take the kids to Rent.  It was the 20th year anniversary, and it STILL brought me to tears.  It takes me back to when I was 18 and the first time I saw it in Iowa City with Matthew my freshman year of college.  I think the kids enjoyed it and Lanie struggled to not sing loud during the songs she knew:)  It was a great way to be together during Thanksgiving break.

Saying Goodbye to Mugsy's Cousin

We had to say good-bye to the best cat ever on Tuesday, November 22, 2016.  I got a text from Matthew that afternoon saying that when he got home he found Mugsy in his litter box, unable to move or walk.  When I got home Matthew had him wrapped in a towel and cradled in his arms like a baby.  He remained there the rest of the night until he passed at about 7:30pm.  We had made an appointment for the next day to help his pass away at the vet's, but thankfully didn't need it.  His body was tired and let go on its own.  The kids got to say good-bye and Carter held him for awhile.  He was so weak and skinny, unlike his normal self.  After he passed, Matthew continued to hold him for a while.  It was so hard to set him down, to finalize it.  Finally, Matthew laid him on the floor of the living room and Carter, Matthew, and I sat around to share what we would remember most about him.  He was such a hunter, he loved his special spot under the Christmas tree, and he loved laying near my tummy when I was pregnant with both the kids.  That next morning, I heard phantom meows, and when I got up I felt like he should be wrapping his body around my legs nearly causing me to trip over him like every other day.  I can't imagine how Matthew felt that first morning.  Every morning for at least the last 10 years, the first thing Matthew has done is feed him.  Gracie doesn't seem to be bothered and Lanie doesn't understand the significance of losing him.  Matthew got home from work on Wednesday and dug his grave.  The 3 of us sat near it for a while crying, and in the end, Matthew wanted to cover it up on his own.  As I look back at some pictures I found of him, I am amazed at how much he was a part of our lives!  Everywhere we were, every celebration, every day, he was there.  He brought so much happiness, comfort and love to our lives I can't even describe it.  I am so thankful to have had him in my life for the last 18 years and Matthew for the last 22.  Some things I learned from him:

1.  Tell the ones you love how much you love them everyday

2.  Spend lots of time with people that care about you

3.  Enjoy food

4.  Bask in the sun as often as possible

5.  Take time to rest

6.  Ask for attention when you need it

7. Be independent

October 2016 Happenings

Although Carter was not interested in coming to the apple orchard with us this year, Lanie and her good friend Camlyn were:)  It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and the crowd was dying down so we barely had to wait in any lines.  They jumped on the giant pillow, went down the big slide, played in the corn box, went on a hayrack ride, had apple slushies, and fed the farm animals.

This year Lanie was recommended for a big buddy and we are so blessed that she has Abby, Mrs. Van Dam's daughter.  Abby spoils her with lunch from McDonalds and lots of little gifts.  I know Lanie looks up to her and enjoys that special time with her.

Mugsy's Cousin is 22!! We are thankful everyday we have with him.  He's getting awfully skinny and his breathing is labored, but we are hoping he is not in any pain.  He still loves to eat and likes to eat ON time every morning and night:)

The 4 of us went to Kim Kalk-Rickert's wedding renewal ceremony at Ames Country Club.  It was a fun time dancing and being together.

Lanie took part in a Cheerleading clinic sponsored by Gigi's Playhouse and put on my the Roosevelt cheerleaders.  They cheered, danced, and played games on a Saturday morning.  It was beautiful to watch.

That's my boy. . . number 78!  Carter's team had a fantastic football season and the weather was great at nearly EVERY game (make me happy).  He enjoys playing and is expanding his friendship circle.  Now we are on to wrestling.

Carter went to Griffin's birthday party at Hickory Grove Park.  They grilled, roasted marshmallows, went apple dunking, played sumo wrestling and just enjoyed being together.

I got to spend a beautiful Sunday morning doing one of the things I love most and enjoying time with a dear friend as Mindy and I ran the Des Moines half marathon.  I trained better than I have ever trained before and although I didn't come in under 2 hours (although I never had that as a goal, but was close) the run felt amazing!  We enjoyed the downtown area festivities afterwards. Love the half!

Can you believe this was a late October Saturday morning!  It had been a couple years since we'd rode our bikes on the High Trestle trail and wanted to see how long Lanie could go on the new tandem.  She complained a lot about her bottom hurting, but we went about 5 miles.  Might need to get her bike shorts for Christmas:)

Happy Halloween 2016!  I tried apple cookie cutters this year for a pumpkin, Carter carved his vampire entirely on his own, and Matthew and Lanie collaborated on the smiley face pumpkin.  Carter went trick or treating with Keegan "on the bus" two nights and was the grim reaper.  Lanie went with Matthew and I to the Lynch's for supper with friends and then trick or treating for a little while in their neighborhood. I was glad she got to wear her DIY Doc McStuffins costume a couple times this season.

Annual Reading Growth Videos

Here are the kids' annual reading growth videos.   Here are last year's videos to compare:)

 I had Carter go get a book that he is currently reading.  We no longer read together at night.  He reads in spurts; sometimes for hours at a time on Saturday afternoon, sometimes before bed so it just didn't work out:(  The difficulty and length of the book increase is unreal!

I picked this book for Lanie from her stack of Public Library books.  We still struggle to get her to choose a chapter book and stick with it longer than 1 chapter, but put just about any picture book in front of her and she does a great job:)

September 2016 Happenings

Matthew and I got the chance to see Andy McKee at DG's.  He was an awesome performer and just amazing talent to watch!

I organized a She-Dummies team to run the Rival Relay from Trice Stadium to Kinnick Stadium.  It was an amazing time together with old friends and I met some really great new friends.  The weather got the best of me Saturday afternoon, along with running on gravel.  I came home absolutely exhausted with plenty of blisters on my feet to show for the effort:)

Annual Iowa vs. Iowa State at Lynch's.  It was a great time with friends, even though it was an awful game.

For Mom and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary we rented a cabin at Rathbun Lake State Park for the weekend.  All 12 of us fit into a beautiful cabin!  We spent time relaxing by the fire, playing card games, at the hotel water park and out on the boat.

Even though Carter has very little interest in joining us for a trip to the apple orchard, Lanie will and she wanted to take her friend CamLyn too.  They loved the corn pool, hayrack ride, slide, giant pillow, apple slushies, and feeding the animals.

Matthew joined Carter for the 7th grade overnight at Y-camp in Boone.  I think it was a great experience for the boys, plus Carter got to hold a snake!!

Our 7th grade football player!