December 2018 Happenings

December Family Date was Aladdin at Civic Center.  It was awesome!  The costumes and set were happy and bright and extravagant!  We were way up in the nosebleed section but could still see and hear great.

December Girl Scout troop meeting was secret santa gift exchange and gingerbread house making.  Amanda taught  me the secret to house making . . . hot glue!  It was SO much more fun:)  Lanie and I built a lighthouse in memory of our trip to Cape Cod this year.

I was able to go see Carter's presentation in his Intro to Engineering class one morning.  He did a great job standing tall and proud and speaking up to give his speech.

Dad was honored at the American Legion one morning this month with a Quilt of Valor.  We were all able to be there and he seemed really appreciative.  Mom helped with breakfast that morning at the legion and even Uncle Rick and Aunt Laurie came.

December Monday Night Book Club at Amber's house.  We always give each other something that was our favorite from the year.  I gave an Amazon gift card and I got a light up bulb necklace and homemade chapstick.

One of the Advent calendar experiences, Grinch Punch.  This year was special because Matthew was able to be there!  New recipe too. . . instead of lime green sherbert use vanilla icecream.  Much better!

Matthew took Lanie to "Home Free" at Stephen's Auditorium on a Sunday afternoon.  They sang some Christmas songs and some popular songs that Lanie knew.  Quality daddy/daughter time:)

Lanie's 7th grade basketball year was a success!  Her coaches and the girls were very supportive and patient.  Lanie came home really tired after practice.  Lanie played home games only and got 2-3 minutes of play each quarter!  One of the last games, she even scored:)

Christmas at Mom and Dad's was on Christmas Eve like always.  Kids opened gifts, we had yummy food, played Christmas Family Feud, BINGO and went Christmas lights watching. 

November 2018

We went to the annual High School Football Banquet.  It was a really nice event at the high school commons and then moved to Tope Auditorium for the awards ceremony.  The coaches did a really nice job honoring the boys.  I hope Carter goes out next year.

We love our cats more each day.  Sometimes Matthew and I stand and watch them for a few minutes with big smiles on our faces and our hearts warm.

Over Thanksgiving break I wanted to get out of the house.  There was an ISU women's basketball game and Grandma was even available.  Can't go to CY Stephens it seems without getting a Cy-Clone or 2:)

One night a week this month was spent at Nevada Middle School gymnasium cheering on the 7th grade girls basketball team.  It has been a great experience!  Lanie has SCL staff for practice and  Miss Dodd helps make sure Lanie gets to practice and is ready for games.  She attends home games only and no practice on Wednesday because of Childserve therapy.  I think it started out a little rough, but as the season progressed, Lanie has built relationships with the girls and there is so much empathy and friendship on that team it is heart-warming.  It is EXACTLY how I always dreamed it would be.  We are SO blessed for the patience and kindness of  the coaches, parents, and teammates.  Lanie comes home VERY tired from practice and goes to bed around 8pm those nights:)  At games Lanie gets to play about the last 2 minutes of every quarter in the B game.  We are absolutely grateful for this opportunity!  I never thought they'd allow her even that amount of time!  There IS goodness in this world!

 I was able to go hiking for Tanya's birthday again this year.  It was a beautiful day and then we went out to eat at The Cafe for a great breakfast and more time together:)  I am SO thankful for these times with friends!
















After a pretty rough Thanksgiving meal at Mom and Dad's, Jeremy came over and we went out to relax.  We all got to enjoy some drinks and play some pool and catch up on each other's lives at the new bar in town; Lincoln Tap. . . and George's.  Matthew had been trying No-Shave November and had made it almost all month.  I think he shaved it ALL away the next day:)

October 2018 Happenings

Lanie and I went to the 7th Grade overnight trip to Y-Camp this month.  It was an awesome time, even though it was rainy and chilly for about half the time.  The leaders were awesome and taught the kids about soil layers, animal tracking, how to build shelter in the woods, and how to build a fire multiple ways.  We slept in one of the cabins.  It was much updated from when I went to camp there. . . not really roughin' it anymore:)

October family date - Rollerskating at Spinning Wheels in Ogden, Iowa.  Great place!  Great music, not busy, and family friendly.

Lanie had a Girl Scout overnight at Christy Hall.  Two Junior troops came together to learn about constellations, cook dinner and breakfast, play games, and go on a night hike.

Mindy, Scott, Matthew and I did a bike ride that started at Reclaimed Rails Brewery in Bondurant and then went to Mingo to turn around and come back.  It was a brisk day but the sun was shining, beer tasted great and it felt good to use our bodies.  Definitely need to do more bike rides, organized or not now that Matthew has Sundays off.

We love our new addition to the family Frisbee.  Unfortunately about a week prior we had to give Rascal back to the animal shelter after he bit (attacked) Carter one night.  He drew blood on Carter's hands and left bad bruises on his stomach.  We were all really upset but it had to be done.  Kaleigh also moved home this month.

Frisbee was a couple months old when we got her.  She was a stray and was brought to the Ames Animal Shelter with a broken jaw and pretty messed up.  They fixed her up and we love her very much. She's very cuddly and purrs when you hold her.  It took a couple days, but eventually Thea warmed up too and now they are the best of friends.

 Grandma got into the Halloween season too:)  She passed out candy both uptown and in the neighborhood.  Neither Lanie or Carter wanted to go trick or treating this year.  I can't believe this "kid" tradition might be done for us.

Carter's Freshman Football team wrapped up their season undefeated 9 - 0.  Carter was able to play quite a bit in the last game.  He even played Center which he hadn't played in a couple years.  We are so excited to see this team next year.

September 2018 Happenings

Thea turned 1 this month!  The girls made her a tuna cake and we all sang to her:)

 We went to Allison and Jeff's to watch the ISU/ Iowa game to tailgate in their garage.  Lots of yummy food and catching up with sisters and friends, even though the game didn't go as we would have preferred:)

Ames Oktoberfest with friends.  Warm weather and Burnin' Sensations played.

Homecoming 2018

Football team float in HOCO parade

 

-ER Day

Fun times during the day

  

Carter went to the Homecoming dance with good friends Zack and Seth.

-ER Day, I am a teachER, Lanie is a mothER, Carter is a fathER and Kaleigh is a gardenER

Sunday afternoon bike ride date

Year 2 of S'more Mud Run in Boone with Lanie's girlscout troop.  She ran a lot more of the mile than last year!

Luke Bryan Farm Tour Concert in Boone with good friends.  Moments were miserable because of the rain and cold but mostly an absolute wonderful adventure!