Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Kylee's cross country coach.  She is so awesome and dedicated to these girls! Also thankful the weather has been so nice lately and Kylee can continue to train outside!

I'm thankful that I came home and found Kase wearing Santa pajamas the other day.  I had to run Kylee to practice and Kael helped him get these pajamas on while I was gone.  I nearly died at the cuteness when I walked in the door!

I'm thankful that I have a lot of my Christmas shopping done!

What are you thankful for today?

Weekend Wrap-Up

The long weekend wasn't quite long enough! The kids weren't quite ready to go back to school this morning. But I was ready to get back into our routine.  Here's what we did all weekend. 

Friday morning Kylee went in to work early with Kent to help decorate his office! Kase and I stopped by for a little bit too, then the boys spent the morning with my dad while my mom and I did a little more Black Friday shopping!

We spent that afternoon at my mom and dad's house watching the Hawkeye game.  We also spent a lot of time playing outside- it was so nice out!

Cute (rivalry) cousins. 

 Saturday morning Kylee and I went for an early run.  I honestly couldn't keep up with her pace. Ha! We spent the rest of the morning getting things done around the house and wrapping presents.  Kylee played at a friend's house, then later we picked her up and all headed to the movie theater.  The boys saw Justice League and Kylee and I saw Wonder.  It was so, SO good.  Afterwards, Keith and Cindy met up with us and we did our fun tradition of driving through Jolly Holiday Lights while enjoying pizza!

Sunday morning our elf had brought gingerbread houses for us to decorate! I love that the kids are still so excited about this. It was definitely our best year ever as far as decorating goes! Afterwards, we had a family game of football, kickball and basketball.  We definitely got our fill of the outdoors this weekend!

Later that afternoon we went to the mall, which my boys deemed cruel and unusual punishment.  We are not mall people, friends.  However, I did get some shopping done and Kase got to see Santa!

We got home and played outside until the sun set.  Needless to say, we are all happily exhausted!

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for a really good 504 meeting for Kael last week. I haven't posted an update on him for a long time but he's doing really well.  Middle school has been great for Kael.  I had a meeting with his advisor, principal and counselor at school and I felt so happy when I left the meeting.  I think the staff all know and understand Kael really well and had some great suggestions on how to help him be successful in his education.

I'm thankful for a comment Kase made yesterday.  He said, "We should be called Laughing Family because we are always laughing." I love that that's how he views our family!

I'm thankful for many kind texts and messages we received about being in the Ankeny Living magazine.

I'm thankful for our parents time as they help out by watching kids as we have had many things going on this holiday season already.

I'm thankful middle school girls and Kael singing Christmas songs in my car on the way home from school.

I'm thankful that Kael is such a good big brother.  Kase's friend was over on Monday and as soon as Kael got home from school they asked him to play football with them. He was happy to play and they were so excited.

I'm thankful Kent is home from his trip.

I'm thankful when Kael and Kylee pile into my bed with me before bedtime and tell me jokes.

I'm thankful for when I tuck Kase in and he is in a chatty mood. Last night he told me all about his favorite jobs at school.  He had been bathroom monitor (yuck) that day and told me it is one of his favorite jobs.  Ha!

I'm thankful for a day off school on Wednesday! Kase spent the morning at the Indoor Playground with a friend.  Kael, Kylee and I had a great morning just hanging around the house with each other.  Later that afternoon I picked my up nephew and he, Kael and Kase played at the Triad Play Day while Kylee and I did some shopping. They had a blast together!

Later that night, we joined some friends at Disney on Ice! I was worried Kase would be exhausted from a busy day but he really enjoyed the show.  I also wondered if maybe Kael would be too old for it but his buddy who is just a year younger than him was there (and also there was unlimited popcorn) so Kael had fun! I knew Kylee would enjoy it. I also really had fun at the show! It was really neat.

I'm thankful for Thanksgiving.  It's just such a great family day.  We spent the morning hanging around here together, playing Wii, watching the Macy's parade, playing games.  Later Kent went to the gym and I went for a run then we headed up to Collins to spend the day with Kent's family.  It was such a nice day out! Kent took the boys outside right away for a football game.  He's the best.

We had such a nice day spending time with all of Kent's family!

Later that evening Kylee and I went Black Friday (on Thanksgiving Day?) with my mom.  We have been going together for the last few years and it's always a fun tradition. We aren't super-deal-seekers; we really just go for the fun of it.  This year did not disappoint! I got a few things and Kylee had fun looking at giant stuffed animals.

So much to be thankful for, today and every day! Hope this Thanksgiving Day you're finding lots to be thankful for too!

Weekend Wrap Up

The weekends are flying by lately!

Friday I took Kase to the doctor since he had been up in the night complaining of an earache and sure enough, he had ear infection.  He wanted to make sure he could go back to school afterwards though, because he was line leader that day and he didn't want to miss anything! Kylee came home upset from something that had happened at school, so I knew we needed to do something other than just sit around the house Friday night.

We decided to go to opening day at Brenton Skating Plaza! It was a nice night out and we had a great time.  The kids all did great! Kase wanted so badly to keep up with the big kids though! We got to see the tree lighting ceremony and also Santa came! Kase was excited to see him and tell him that he wanted a Nerf gun for Christmas. While we were there, Kent got interviewed for the Drake news and also we later saw ourselves on KCCI.  The kids thought that was cool. We had also been in the local Ankeny Living magazine, so it was a big week for us!

Saturday morning Kent made chocolate chip waffles.  I'm thankful for my weekend breakfast chef. Later that morning Kylee went for a run- she continues to train in case we do end up going to nationals!  When she got back we all went to Kent's office to help get some stuff done.  He and my dad are rearranging things and the kids and I were happy to help.

That afternoon, Kase went to a friend's birthday party. He had a blast!

Kael had a basketball game and played great- even scored a few baskets!  Later that evening we went to Kevin and Kaity's baby shower.  The kids stayed home with my parents.  We had a great time seeing everyone and we are getting so excited to meet this sweet baby!

Sunday after church, Kent headed to St. Louis for work for some training.  We're so thankful for this amazing opportunity he has!

The kids and I spent the whole afternoon decorating the house for Christmas.  They were a big help and had so much fun looking at each ornament they pulled out of the box!

We are very much looking forward to the short week ahead! It's going to be a great week with family! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kylee likes to cook with me.  From lasagna to cookies, she's always excited to help me in the kitchen.

I'm thankful that Ankeny still has such a small town feel.  The boys and I ran into my sister and her family at Hy-vee the other day and I loved it.

I'm thankful for friends who take pictures of Kylee along the way at Cross Country meets! Kent and I and my parents strategically placed ourselves around the course this weekend so we could cheer Kylee on, but still, of course we didn't see her the whole time.  I appreciate my friend sending me this picture and several others!

I'm thankful that Kael, who was waiting for Kylee near the end of the race, ran along side her the whole rest of the way to the finish line, cheering her on. He's such an encourager and is so proud of his sister!

I'm also thankful that Kylee qualified for the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship! It's in Florida in December and we're still trying to make a decision about if we will go. Either way, I am SO proud of her hard work.

I'm so thankful for the day spent shopping with my mom yesterday.  We have the most fun getting Christmas ideas together!

I'm thankful next week is a holiday week.  I am ready for a break from school for the kids and am so looking forward to clocking lots of family time!

Weekend Wrap-Up

The time change, this weather, and the fact we're sort of between seasons as far as sports go for the kids had us being TOTAL homebodies this weekend. 

Friday our day didn't go as we had hoped since our beloved Jag volleyball team didn't make it to the final. The kids were so bummed they had to go to school instead of to Cedar Rapids to cheer the team on! Since I had free time that I hadn't planned on, I went out to start some Christmas shopping and literally ran into my parents at Kohl's.  It was so funny.  We had the best time looking for gifts together.  We decided to go for lunch and called Kent to join us, then we went to his office to see his new stand up desk! I'm so happy for him because I know it's what he really wanted. 

Friday afternoon, as soon as I picked Kael up from school, we all went to see the new Thor movie together.  Everyone liked the movie so that was a win. 

Kylee and Kase spent the rest of the evening playing around with Christmas bears while Kent and Kase watched the Jaguar football team on TV. 

Saturday morning we were all up early.  Kent took the kids to his office to organize a few things while I had coffee with my sisters to celebrate Mandy getting elected to City Council and also to start talking about Christmas plans and gift ideas.  It was so great to see them. Then Kent, the kids and I all went to watch Kevin's basketball team play before heading to Kael's game.  His team won on a buzzer beater and he was so excited!

That afternoon Kylee and I went shopping (she is soooo excited about Christmas this year and just loves to shop early for all the people on her list).  We met up with the boys to go get ice cream, then home to watch the Hawkeyes.  Then we grilled burgers and had a lazy night around here.

Sunday morning we went to church, then Kylee had a cross country meet.  It was a tough course but she dug deep and was happy with her finish.  It was a USATF Association XC Championship meet so it was very competitive.

When we got home, Kent put up the Christmas lights (I know!!!), the boys and I ran errands, then we played a family football game until dark. 

It was a great weekend!!!

Fall

There is a tree in my parents' backyard that turns the most beautiful shade of yellow every year on my grandma's birthday.  We take a picture by it every year. 

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that Kylee is still enjoying cross country.  It has been chilly for their practices lately but she doesn't mind at all.  She just loves running.  I'm also very thankful for her coach- she has been awesome and makes it so fun for the kids. 

I'm thankful that Kase is reading! He is really gaining both skills and confidence and it has been so fun watching him learn.  He loves making himself a little reading nook in his room and then asks anyone who is available to come in and listen to him read.  This age is so fun.

I'm thankful that the Jag volleyball team won on Tuesday.  Hoping they win today so we can go watch them tomorrow!

I'm thankful my sister got elected to City Council in Polk City.  I can't think of anyone better for the job and I know she will serve her community so well.  Congrats, Mandy!

I'm thankful for my awesome husband who surprised me and scheduled a massage for me yesterday. It was so amazing and relaxing.

I'm thankful the kids are as excited as I am to get the Christmas things out.  I'm not putting the tree up yet, but we did get out Christmas books and music the other day and they had so much fun.  Also Kylee got her Christmas bears out and the kids found some Christmas coloring books they have enjoyed!

I'm thankful we've all adjusted so well to Daylight Savings Time.  Ha. Ha ha ha. That's a joke.  Everyone is waking up crazy early every single day.

I'm thankful Kent's grandma is doing well after hip surgery on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

It's been a fun, family-filled weekend. 

Thursday night we had a celebration for my dad's 20th year with Edward Jones.  It was such a nice night and the whole event went so well.

That night Kylee also had a glow run for one of her last cross country practices.

Friday night Kent and Kael went to the Jaguar football playoff game.  Kylee, Kase and I just hung out at home and had a nice, lazy  night.

Saturday morning my mom, sisters, nieces and Kylee went to the craft show in town! It was such a fun girls morning. 

These cute cousins had so much fun together!

Meanwhile, Kent, Kael and Kase were in Collins helping out at Keith and Cindy's.  Kael also got to drive Keith's Avalanche which was Kael thought was just awesome!

Everyone in my family came back here for pizza after the craft show then we went to Kael's basketball game.  He played well but was bummed his team ended up losing.  We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Hawkeye game- and what an awesome game it was!

Sunday was Daylight Savings so everyone was up early.  Kent, Kase andW I had finished a game of Monopoly Junior before 6:30! After church the boys played football outside then Kael had basketball practice. Later we all went to my dad and mom's to play in the backyard and help put lights up on their bridges.  It was a beautiful afternoon to spend outside! Then Kylee had cross country practice and the boys played outside with friends.  We wrapped up our weekend with a family movie and popcorn night.  It was a great weekend!