Weekend Wrap-Up

Our weekend got off to a fun start when Kase got chosen to shoot baskets at halftime of the Ashland Ridge Spirit night! He was so excited and did great.  Before the game he went to his friend's house to surprise him for his birthday.  They got to have pizza and cake and had fun hanging out.

Friday morning we found out Kylee got to be done with her crutches.  She was thrilled. She was getting tired of having them at school!

Friday Kent took the day off work so he and I could go shopping and put up Christmas lights.  We got so much done and had fun spending the day together. My parents hung out with the kids after school and into the evening so Kent and I could have dinner out too.

Kase had a birthday party for a friend at Urban Air and had a blast.  The big kids went shopping and had fun together too.

Saturday morning Kase had two basketball games.  He played his heart out and the first game they won 27-26. The next game they were all exhausted and lost by quite a bit.

Saturday afternoon we just hung around here then had a nice dinner out with my family. Kael stayed here with Kase and Kylee babysat Huston and Berkley.

Sunday we went to an Ashland Ridge movie event for Frozen 2.  It was pretty cute! When we left the theater it was super nice out so Kent started up the grill then after lunch he finished putting up Christmas lights.  The kids were great help.  Then he went golfing with a friend and the boys played with their friends and Kylee had volleyball practice. Later we all went to Benchwarmers with the team for a fun season opening get together.

Thankful for Kael and Kylee's help with the lights!

It's going to be a great season with these girls!

It was another great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for carpool with these crazy kids. Seriously though it is such a big help having neighbors, friends and family to help transport kids to all their events!

I'm thankful for a sweet, older guy in the parking lot at Hy-Vee the other day.  I was pushing a cart through of groceries and he waved me on to walk in front of him, backing up traffic a little bit behind him.  I appreciated the gesture on a busy morning but appreciated it even more that once he parked his car he stopped to talk to me. "I still believe in putting beauty before age so that's why I wanted you to go ahead of me," he said with a wink.  We chatted for a minute about the lovely weather we happened to be having that day and I pulled out of the parking lot with a smile on my face.  People are sweet.

I'm thankful to have a jump on my holiday shopping! Plenty to do yet but I at least have started.

I'm thankful the kids still like decorating their little trees in their bedrooms.

I'm thankful for Kylee's attitude about her broken ankle.  She has been dying to stay active so she went for a swim at the gym a few nights ago.  She's such a go-getter and I love that about her.

Happy Thursday, all!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What an interesting few days it's been! Last Sunday afternoon, Kylee had hurt her ankle at cross country practice. She said it was sore but manageable.  She went to volleyball camp last Monday and was OK, then she went to another cross country practice in the snow on Wednesday.  She came home so sad and said her ankle hurt really badly so we took her in the next day to get it checked out.

Turns out it was a fracture and she needs to be on crutches for awhile and also needs a boot for 4-6 weeks.

Kael and Kase made her cards and my parents brought over cookies.

She handled it so well and was in good spirits.  We will have to miss Nationals now and she was sad, but ok with it.  We spent Thursday night out running around shopping to get her mind off of it and also to get her used to the crutches.  She did just fine at school on Friday- she has one friend who is in every single one of her classes so she can help carry books and stuff.  Thankful for that! Friday night Kael slept over at a friend's house and Kylee and her friends went to a game night at church.  Kent and I took Kase out for pizza.

 Saturday morning we got all packed up and headed to Minnesota! We have been planning this trip with our friends for quite awhile now and the kids were all so excited.  We left town at a good time that morning then stopped in Sheffield to visit my grandpa on the way.  It was great to see him.  When we got to Minneapolis, we stopped and had lunch with one of my best friends and her husband. Fun to get to see them!

Then we headed to meet up with the Rineharts to watch the Hawkeye game.  We went to this fun place where the kids could bowl and play arcade games too.

What a crew!

We watched the first half of the game there then headed back to the hotel.  Kids swam and we ran into more neighbor friends at the pool! What a small world.  We watched the Hawkeyes pull off a close win! Then had pizza in the room and played games before calling it an early night.

We did also have a little fun in the fitness room before going to bed too!

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel then went to tailgate! The first parking lot we found turned out to not allow tailgating so Kent and Mark found a different spot for us and it was perfect! We had a great corner spot with a perfect view of the stadium. It was a little chilly but we got cozy and had fun!

The Rineharts had packed their bags game but forgot the actual bags so we rolled up socks and mittens to use.  Funny memories!

We snacked, played and listened to music.  So fun.

Then we headed to the game! I was glad we had parked close but it was still a lot for Kylee to maneuver on crutches.  She was such a trooper.  We did get to take an elevator and one of the Vikings cheerleaders was in there with us so that was fun!

Kase was just over the moon the whole weekend.  He kept saying, "I can't believe I get to go to my first NFL game! Thank you guys so much for bringing us!"

The stadium is huge and so impressive.

It turned out to be such a great game too! Vikings didn't play well at all in the first half but scored several times in the second half, which was so fun for the kids to get to do the "Skol" chant!  Vikings pulled off a narrow victory against the Broncos that came down to the very last play! The kids were all so into it and the entire experience was just awesome.  I love the ages the kids are right now for traveling- they just make things so easy and fun.  Thankful for fun friends to travel with too! We had a bit of a time getting out of the stadium- so many people and traffic was crazy but the kids were great riders getting home in enough time to unpack and go to bed!

Hope you had a great weekend too!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for brothers hanging out together.

I'm thankful for hot cocoa with buddies.

I'm thankful that Kase passed the Mad Minute at school. He was so proud of himself.

I'm thankful for awesome Junkyard youth group events.

I'm thankful that everyone is healthy!

Happy Weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday morning Kylee woke up with a sore throat.  I was glad to have the day off so I could take her to the doctor- turned out she had strep.  She and I had a nice, lazy day together watching movies and just hanging out.  

That night my parents were a big help getting Kael and his friends to the Junkyard Zombie Run- a late night clue game through the woods by his youth director's house.  Then the boys all came back here for a sleepover.  Kylee and Kase hung out at home and had a nice night in.  Kent and I had a surprise 40th party for one of our neighbors.  Fun night!

Saturday Kase had two basketball games.  He played hard and I was so proud of him.  He really seems to be enjoying the season so far!  Kylee and Kael each came to his first game then Kael went to the gym and Kylee went home.  Later we stopped by Kent's brother's house- so glad to see everyone, especially Kellen.  The kids hadn't seen their cousin forever!

We also fit in a little backyard football and watched the Iowa game.  Later we went to Briarwood- there was a steak night for the adults and a movie showing in the basement for the kids with snacks and stuff.  We all had a nice time.

Sunday morning Kent studied and the kids had the nicest time together at home playing around.  They did perler bead crafts for a long time then we went to Target to get started on a little Christmas shopping.  We ran into Tammy and her crew there which was perfect timing since Berkley was on our list to buy for!

Sunday afternoon Kael and Kylee helped Kent get all the Christmas tubs down.  I haven't started decorating yet but I'm starting to feel like I'm ready to put stuff up! Then Kylee had cross country practice. The rest of us went to the gym- Kase and I had fun playing racquetball while Kent and Kael lifted, then later we had fun playing Knock Out! We picked up Kylee then all had dinner at Hy-Vee which was an interesting experience.  Happy to be back home and in jammies for family movie night!

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

2018

2019

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for brothers sharing Battleship strategies.

I'm thankful for a beautiful snowfall last night.

I'm thankful Kase is feeling much better after his surgery.  KIDDING.  Sadly, he is not any better and is still so stuffy.  I'm super discouraged and feel so badly for my buddy.

I'm thankful for weekend walks with Kent.

I'm thankful that it's almost the weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Found a photo of the epic candy sort that I forgot to share on Thursday!

Thursday night Kylee had her last regular season cross country practice.  I just love this group of humans!

Thursday night the big kids gave Kase a small gift since he had surgery scheduled the next day.  So sweet to see everyone crowded around Kase's bed giving him hugs.

Friday morning we were up early and ready to go.  Kase was a little nervous but was in good spirits.

The nurse was great, we had known the doctor from other procedures with our other kids, and everything went smoothly.  He got his adenoids removed and was sad when he came to after anesthesia but was snuggly and tired.  We recovered for just a bit at the surgery center then headed for home.  He rested for awhile then wanted chicken and noodles for lunch and wanted to help make them.  We had a nice, relaxing afternoon reading, drawing, playing Beyblades and watching TV.

Later that night my sister and niece came over.  The kids had so much fun together and even drew names for Christmas!

Saturday morning Kase was pretty slow.  Sweet big sister Kylee read to him for awhile. We had a lazy morning at home.

Later Kylee and I went to the craft show with my other niece, sister and my mom.  We try to get at least a few of the girls on my side of the family together every year to go so it's a fun tradition.  Did a little shopping but I was anxious to get back home to Kase.  He was a little feverish and on the couch all day.

Later Kent took the big kids to the gym and Kase actually fell asleep on the couch.

Later, Kylee and her friends went to the Drake volleyball game and pizza party with the team!

Sunday morning we went to church then the boys went to Mom and Dad's house.  They had fun with cousins!

Kent, Kylee and I headed to Valley for the last meet of the regular season.  It was the State Championships and a national qualifier!

Kylee was looking strong! She had a great race today. She got a PR with 11:53! Also second place overall! So proud of her.

The team got first in her age division! Go ATC!

Love this girl! She ran hard on a cold, rainy day and was determined to do her best.

We all got home and were happy to relax. We declared it Patterson Family Sunday (night) Funday (night).  We all turned off our phones, made pizza together, played some games and watched a movie. The perfect end to a full weekend!