December 2021 Happenings

We got the tree up for the first time in our new home, 121 K Ave.  We are all loving our new house and are so thankful Mom was ready to pass it on.  We closed on 527 Highview St. on December 9 and then on 121 K Ave. on December 20.  Slowly it it starting to look like us as we start to hang some of our things on the wall and figure out where we want everything to go. 

Lanie had a Holiday music concert at Tope Auditorium.  It was so nice to feel a bit of normalcy for her.

We went on our first college visit with Carter to Iowa State University.  He's still not sure if or where he wants to go.  He'll figure it out, we believe in him.

Christmas was at 121 K Ave. this year too.  We had Grandma's chicken and noodles, opened presents and played BINGO.

We got Lanie lots of new pants, a diary, The Office Little People, and a mini fridge for Christmas.  Carter wanted clothes, a couple books, and Madden 22.  I got Matthew a new electric toothbrush and an Ireland map.  Matthew got us tickets to Broadway series at the Civic Center.  I can't wait for these great dates:). Matthew also got the cats a cat tree.  It's been fun watching them explore.

After nearly 2 years we saw Matthew's sisters.  Allison invited us for Christmas lunch.  It was so great to see them and catch up.  

Our staycation experiment with the Lynch's worked!  Each adult had a day to cook and pick an activity.  Monday was Mike's day and we went to the movies; Spiderman 3 and Sing 2.  Tuesday was my day and we went bowling at Perfect Games.  Wednesday was Shanna's day and we watched the ISU bowl game and played games.  Thursday was Matthew's day.  We played pool, video games, watched a movie, played Rummikub and BINGO, ate a lot of food and relaxed. Hopefully the kids will remember it as a fun time together.

 

November 2021 Happenings

 

The weather this November has been unreal!  We went disc golfing in Ankeny on a double date with Tanya and John.  Look, I'm in short sleeves!  Then we went out to eat and sat on the patio.

The girls got to celebrate Tanya's birthday just the way she likes, by hiking.  We went to Reactor woods and then out to eat (on the patio) at Dublin Bay for supper.

Carter's high school football career ended this month.  It is amazing to think many of these boys have played together since 3rd grade.  He gave it his all and we are super proud of him.

To celebrate Shanna's birthday we went to the Lynch cabin in Minnesota for the weekend.  On Saturday we hiked in St. Cloud and then had lunch and drinks at a brewery.  Then we walked around to other breweries and shops in the town.  

This is what we were living in for about 6 weeks.  We moved in with Mom at 121 K Ave. the weekend before October 5 and Mom moved out the week of Thanksgiving.  I really enjoyed living with mom, we watched shows after supper together and it was nice having her there to talk whenever we wanted to.  We both cried when she left this house to spend the night at her new townhome.  Overall, everyone did really well.  Matthew found a space to have his alone time and we slept in the back bedroom.  Lanie had to sleep on the floor in the downstairs family room and Carter slept on the floor of his new room.  Slowly we started to put things away as we packed up. mom's stuff. 

Anyone for a little Thanksgiving poker?  Thanksgiving was at 121 K Ave. this year, probably at mom's townhome next year.

October Happenings 2021

 

October was all about football and cheerleading.  The weather has been amazing on Friday nights and the games have been fun to watch and cheer with:)

 

Grandma has been to almost all of Carter's games.  So proud of our senior!

Senior Jersey Day - someone at the school that has made a positive impact in your life.  Carter chose Mrs. Arends.

I got to wear Carter's jersey for the last home game of the regular season.  The kids at school had so many questions and I was a proud mama!

We had both Carter's senior pictures and our whole family pictures taken this month by Rebecca Brandau.  I couldn't be more happy with the pictures!  Here are a few of my favorite senior pictures of Carter.

September 2021 Happenings

 

Laikyn Schaefer got married over Labor Day weekend.  We were excited to go to a family wedding and celebrate.  We loved the personal touches at the reception like Grandma Schaefer's wedding gown and a candle to remember Dad.  On the way home Mom wanted to stop at Field of Dreams.  Colyn and Lanie ran the bases.

So much of our fall has been about football.  Carter is the starting Center and has been playing really well.  He's enjoying being with his friends on the team.

The first day of school was the Tuesday after Labor Day this year.  An extra long summer was very much needed by this teacher.  This will be the last, first day of school at Nevada for Carter.  We are so glad that the kids are able to go back to school in person and be around their friends.

So blessed to be able to teach with these lovely ladies!  This year we added another 1st/2nd grade Multi-Age section and that brought Mrs. Eilbeck to our team.

Another fall with a student teacher, Ms. Whipple.  First experience having a student teacher for an entire semester.  Very worthwhile for the student!

Lanie was highlighted on KCCI for their weekly highschool sports update.  The newscaster came and interviewed her, her coach, and the team captain.  He did a really nice job on the story and even figured out that I used to be a cheerleader here in Nevada:)

We got to go camping with Uncle Rick, Aunt Lauri and Mom at Hickory Grove mid-September.  Shannon, Groat kids, Sorems and Lynchs came out on Saturday night to visit.  Uncle Rick smoked ribs and pork chops.  We had so much yummy food!  Hopefully this continues to be an annual event.  

Nevada's Homecoming week was full of lots of good memories.  Both kids were in the homecoming parade.  I was able to sneak away for the Pep Rally at the high school.  Both kids came for breakfast with Central kids on Friday.  Camden's mom had our senior boys' faces turned into fat heads on a yard stick that were fun to hold up during the game.  Saturday was the homecoming dance.  We found out Friday that Carter was going with Peyton.  He was happy and they were very sweet during pictures at our house.  Her mom even fb messaged me that she was very impressed that Carter waited for Peyton to get int he house before pulling out the driveway when he dropped her off.  

August 2021 Happenings

 

Hinterland finally happened after a year off!  We took the camper and Lynchs and Tibodeaus stayed with us for the weekend.  We took a bunch of deli meat, Sam's Club hotdogs, salads, and Matthew's breakfast burritos.  It worked awesome! Lynchs had the pleasure of sleeping on the bunk beds and Jesse slept in various places including the ground outside the camper, a 2-person tent, and in his vehicle.  We walked back to camper to get away from the heat, have drinks and have meals.  Shanna and I went to an awesome yoga session on Saturday morning.  Great music and such a relaxing weekend:)

I squeezed in as much friend time as possible the last weekend of summer.  Friday night Lanie and I went to Nicole's in Kansas City to see her "new" house.  We spent a few hours Saturday at a state park on the water.  Then Sunday morning I drove down to see Mindy for a run and breakfast with mimosas after.  I'm so thankful for these friends that I don't see very many times a year and still when we get together we pick up on our friendship right where we left off.

Carter's last season of highschool football.  He's loving playing Center for the team and so far his team is 2-0.  He's been able to rebuild friendships from last year when he was an online learner.  He's loving going out to eat with the team during the week.