Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful we've had a few nice days this week.  It's much nicer when the kids can be outside for track and also Kase is thrilled to having neighborhood wiffle ball league back!

I'm thankful Kael got to go to a track meet on Tuesday. I thought he had a great throw especially considering the wind!

I'm thankful Kent and Kael and one of his buddies and dad went to the Journey concert Tuesday night.  These two just have so much fun together rocking out.

I'm thankful for Kylee's maturity.  She's had to work through a few things with some friends lately and she just seems so very grown up and handles things so well.  I'm proud of her.

Looking forward to baseball and volleyball tournaments this weekend. Have a good one!

Weekend Wrap-Up

 Friday night we went to our friends' house to watch the Iowa basketball game! Kase came along and hung out too- Kael had a youth group game night and Kylee was out with a group of friends playing laser tag at Perfect Games.  A fun night for everyone!

Saturday Kael worked, Kylee had Regional volleyball and they went 3-0! Kase had a three on three basketball tournament and had fun with that too.  Then we just had a nice night here- Kase played with friends, Kylee hung out with her boyfriend and the rest of us watched basketball.

Sunday Kael worked again then went to a friend's grad party.  Kylee's team had a HUGE game against a big rivalry team and they won in two! Kylee had one of the best games of her season with some big kills and blocks.  I was so happy for her.  They went on to get fourth place and secure their bid for Nationals this summer! Kent and Kylee's boyfriend went early to watch her first game (brownie points for Garrett wanting to get up at 6:00 on a weekend to go watch Kylee play!) then Kase and I joined later to watch the rest of the games.  That evening Kylee had a bible study with her friends, Kase played with friends and the rest of us watched basketball.  It was a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Kase's crew.  This group of buddies had a blast at their middle school orientation Tuesday night.  

I'm thankful that I ran into one of Kael's old friend's moms at Target on Monday.  She is just such a joyful, happy person- I used to run into her at the park all the time when our boys were little but hadn't seen her for awhile.  She commented on how she enjoyed following along with Kylee's cross country season and reading about it online.  "I knew from when she was young, there was something very special about that girl" she said.  So sweet! 

I'm thankful for a fun, full weekend ahead! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday Kent and Kael got to go to the Iowa women's basketball game! Keith and Cindy had tickets for them- so fun!

Meanwhile at home Kylee hung out with a friend and had a youth group night and Kase was at a birthday party.  A great day/night for everyone!

Saturday Kylee ran at the indoor track meet at Central.  We all were able to go along to watch her race and her boyfriend came too.  It was a great day and I was happy to see her running!

That night Kent had invited a couple people over to watch the wrestling finals.  Kase and his buddy had a blast goofing around while watching. Kael also joined them to watch and we just ordered pizza while Kylee and her boyfriend went out for dinner and had a nice relaxing night here.

Sunday Kent took Kase to Iowa City for the basketball game.  They got in town early enough to have fun at an arcade and grab some lunch!

Happy guy.

That afternoon Kylee went to a friend's house then had volleyball. Kael had a friend over to watch the game. Later Kylee had volleyball and the boys got home and we all just had a nice night here.

I would say pretty confidently that exactly zero of my children are excited to go back to school tomorrow but, here we go!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful for a surprise flower delivery to me from Kent.  It totally brightened my day!

I'm thankful for a trip to Urban Air.  It was the thing Kase most wanted to do over break and he was so, so happy.  Kael joined us for awhile too so that was fun!

I'm thankful Kent has been carving out some one on one time with the kids.  He had lunch out with Kael on Monday and I think that's so good for them. Kael also got to go out for lunch with my parents on Wednesday and he really enjoyed that!

I'm thankful for an impromptu date night on Tuesday.  Kael picked up a work shift, Kase got invited to a sleepover and Kylee was hanging out with her boyfriend so Kent and I took advantage of our free time and went out for dinner. It was really nice.

I'm thankful Cindy stopped by with Kellen and Krue the other day! So fun to see them.

I'm thankful Kase had fun at quarterback camp on Tuesday.  He's always putting in the work!

Happy Thursday!

Weekend Wrap-Up

 We were ready for a(nother) break around here!

Kicked off Spring Break by getting the kids Starbucks on Friday morning. Had a nice day- Kael worked, Kase and I watched a movie and Kylee hung out with her boyfriend.  That night we all ordered pizza and watched basketball- fun!

Saturday morning Kylee had track then we planned to head to Clear Lake to hang out up there with my parents at their condo but Mother Nature had other plans.  Kylee's track went a little longer than we thought and by the time she got home and had lunch, giant snowflakes were falling and we ended up getting more than 6 inches of snow! While we all wished we were sitting around at the condo having fun playing cards and stuff with my parents, we made a fun afternoon playing in the snow here.  Kent and the kids built the hugest snowman ever and we had a good game of Fox and Geese. The kids were super helpful scooping the driveway (twice) then we had a family movie night. 

Sunday Kael worked, the rest of us went to church and Kylee volunteered in the nursery.  Kase diligently  plugged away at a couple of big homework projects he had missed while we were in St. Lucia. This one wasn't so fun but he did have a fun time going to Grandma and Grandpa's house later so he could interview my dad for a biography project. Meanwhile, Kent and Kylee had lunch out and ran a couple errands.  So nice for the two of them to get to spend time alone together- that's so rare for it to work out and they both really enjoyed that.

Later Kylee went to her boyfriend's house while Kent, Kael and I started talking about grad party plans and birthday ideas and things like that. Our April and May is going to be so full with activities and things it was nice to get a head start on planning.  Kase played with some friends so it was a nice night here.

Looking forward to a great week with my people!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kylee jumped right back into volleyball after vacation! These girls gritted their way to a second place finish at a 16s tournament on Sunday!

I'm thankful we were able to join for a birthday celebration for my niece! Love anytime we can get together.

Oldest/youngest cousin!

I'm thankful that Kase wanted me to stay with him on Sunday night.  I tucked him in and then shortly after, I heard a soft voice calling, "Mom?" so I went back in.  For reference- Kase never has us lay with him and never needs anything after we tell him goodnight once.  He typically rolls over and falls asleep immediately.  Sunday had been a tough one, though.  We had tons of makeup school work to do and on top of that, his sinuses were acting up and he just didn't feel well.  Anyhow, he said, "Mom, do you wanna stay with me for a little bit? You don't have to.  But you can." So of course, I did.  His little hand reached out and held onto mine and I could have just cried.  So sweet and innocent and tired and stressed.  

I'm thankful for a visit from Keith and Cindy the other night! Kase was especially thankful that Grandma brought his favorite fruit pizza!

I'm thankful that Kael and Kase both had fun at the boys state basketball game yesterday.  Kael drove down with a friend and Kase went with a big group of buddies. What a crew.

I'm thankful for a sweet paper Kase wrote in school about fishing at the A frame.  I can tell he worked really hard on it and I'm so thankful for all the wonderful family memories we have at that place. 

I'm thankful for a very free week and a half ahead! We haven't been home over Spring Break for several years and I'm looking forward to being very not busy. 

I'm thankful for Kael that it worked out for him to ask a friend to Prom yesterday and she said yes. I'm just so, so happy for him!!!!

Happy Thursday!

Weekend Wrap-Up, St. Lucia edition

 Be prepared for LOTS of pictures today!

We had the kids miss school on Friday (besides Kael, who went for a couple morning classes because of tests he didn't want to miss) and headed for the airport around lunchtime.  

We breezed through TSA even though the agent was a little grumpy.  

Made it to Charlotte where our shuttle driver advised us we weren't in the best neighborhood but there was a good Mexican place nearby he would take us to. 

Fun, adventurous start to our trip!

Our driver was funny.

Back at our hotel we killed a little time just hanging out in the lobby/pool before heading to bed early.

Back at the Charlotte airport to head to St. Lucia!

I'm so proud of my kids. It was a good flight but long enough and then we got to St. Lucia!  Beautiful and sunny! We had to get through customs then had a bit of a wait for our helicopter transfer.  We found a spot to sit and get a drink and snacks for the kids and played a little Uno while we waited! 

The helicopter was such a cool experience!

Kase was a little unsure of it but once we got in he, and the rest of us, thought it was awesome!

Absolutely beautiful views on the way to our resort. 

We got to our resort and to our room and WOW.  Seriously the best room we have ever been in.  Just steps from the beach.  Big, spacious suite.  Our own hot tub.  It was just absolutely perfect.

I mean, come on!!! Gorgeous!!!

My people were ready to hit the beach immediately.  Kase and Kylee found some cool shells!

This was the view looking from the beach back to our room.

The water was perfect.

That hot tub sunset view.  Kase was a happy guy.

We got cleaned up for the Welcome Dinner.  

It was such a lovely night.  The sunset was gorgeous, the food was great and we had fun exploring the resort after we ate! We walked all around the canal, found some hammocks the kids laid in- it was just a really fun night.

This is the front of our room.

Night walk on the beach!

Late night hot tub.

Kase finished the night off with a fancy glass of chocolate milk.

This cat hung around our room outside sometimes and the kids all loved that.

Coffee with a view.

Beautiful morning, beautiful girl.

Good looking guys too!

This was on our walk from our room to the lobby- a fun canal that we were always spotting fish in.

Our first excursion was to go ziplining! It was an adventurous ride up to where we met up with the group.  The kids couldn't get over how close all the drivers are to each other and also we noticed so many stray cats, dogs and lots of horses right by the sides of the roads.

All geared up and ready to go!

The aerial tram ride to the top was really pretty.  Our guide was very good and pointed out lots of plants and things on the way up.  The St. Lucians are very proud of their country and excited to talk about it!

What a view! We could see Martinique from the top!

There were 8 different ziplines for us to go on and we all had a good time.

Back to the beach for the afternoon!

Then just chilling before dinner.

All cleaned up for a sunset dinner.

There were 100 steps down to the restaurant- such a cool place!

My guys.

It was right on the beach. There were bean bags and chairs you could sit on and watch the sunset.

Very memorable place!

Full disclosure- the pictures are great and the place was really cool but the food wasn't anyone's favorite and it took a loooooong time. Like two and a half hours.  That's pushing it for even Island Time for us! 

So handsome! I couldn't stop taking pictures at this spot.

Morning chocolate milk and breakfast with a view.

Just love this photo and this girl!

Fish Finder.

We grabbed some snorkels at our beach and went exploring!

Kael was off on paddleboards with some friends he met.

Beach buddies.

Everyone had a blast catching the football off the floating dock.

We took a boat taxi over to a floating obstacle course nearby- only to find out it was closed for maintenance. 

No problem though- the kids went tubing instead! So fun.

By this point in the afternoon Kylee's cheeks were a little sunburned, she had gotten sunscreen and salt water in her eyes and had accidentally left her sunglasses in the shuttle so she and I took an ice cream break and it was lovely.

The boys played in the pool for a little bit but honestly we didn't spend much time here because the beach was so perfect.

Relaxing with fancy glasses of apple jucie before dinner!

A little sunburned but all dressed and ready for our Carnival theme dinner!

Kase met a couple of great buddies on this trip. Here he is with one of them.

That SUNSET!!!!

The show was amazing.  Fire dancers, guys on stilts, great local music- so fun.

Kylee got her hair braided too! 

Daily picture at this spot.

Then we were off for our Catamaran adventure to Soufriere and the Pitons.

We went with a big Edward Jones group which made it so fun.

The captain even had Kase drive for quite awhile! He loved that!

Kylee thought she could get pretty used to this life. 

We had the best view of the famous Pitons!

We had a quick tour of the botanical gardens. Kylee couldn't believe Kase and his buddies right up front paying such close attention learning about local plants. 

We walked to a pretty waterfall!

Then, to the mudbaths! This was something we had heard a lot about and the mud is supposed to make you look up to 10 years younger! The kids jumped right in.

It did smell bad though (sulphur).

This was a memorable experience!

Rejuvenated, refreshed, and back on the catamaran!

Lunchtime!

Kylee eating chicken wings.

I love, love LOVE this picture with Kael.  

Then we got to snorkel!

This was such a highlight.  We saw so many cool things! The water was beautiful.

Back on the boat, Kase was pointing out all the fish he saw.

Kylee had so much fun on this trip.  She sat up front and talked with some of us moms.  We met some really great people and are planning future trips together already!

Back at the resort we were all.so.tired from a day in the sun! We shamelessly ordered KFC to our hotel room and were thrilled about it. Then Kase's buddy came to hang out for a bit.

Breakfast view!

We headed off for our fishing adventure.  Kent was really excited about this. 

And he was so happy when he reeled in this 200 plus pound blue marlin! 

Our guide said this was the trophy fish for sure.  He said the blue marlin was the best thing we could catch that day! Kent was really happy.

Kael was SUCH a trooper that day.  He didn't feel well at all but kept a good attitude and hung in there.  I felt so bad for him!

We had a couple more blue marlins on the line but didn't get them to the boat.  Kase did get to reel one though so that was fun! It broke the line but the guide said that one was probably 5-6 feet and 550 pounds!

Back to the beach for some smoothies and swim time!

Then we got ready for dinner.

This turned out to be our favorite meal of the trip.  We went to a nice steakhouse in town and the kids were just so good and sweet and appreciative.  It was really nice.

Plus the food was so pretty! Great family night.

Back at the resort there was a movie night for the kids. 

And cotton candy! The kids enjoyed this while Kent and I sat a little ways down listening to the waves roll in.  So relaxing and peaceful.

Before we knew it, it was our last full day there so we fit in one more adventure.  SNUBA! It was close to our resort at Pigeon Island which I had been wanting to see anyways so that was neat. 

It did not, however, turn out to be our favorite.  Kylee's flipper kept falling off, my hair was all tangled in the gear and Kase's mask kept fogging up and we really didn't see anything that special in the water. Oh well- they can't all be wins! At least we can all say we have tried SNUBA.

Final night dinner.

One last sunset.

One last beach football game.

Kael and his friend he met on the trip. 

The final night dinner was so fun! There was limbo for the kids.  And the live music was amazing.  Kylee and I danced all night! After dinner Kael and his friends played cards then went for a late night swim.

The last morning Kent and Kylee went for one last snorkel.

Then we packed up and headed out! One last walk by the canal.

And got to our helicopter transfer! Kase is in there too just behind my head. 

And the last view of the island from up above!

It was SUCH a great trip- all the kids rank it up there as one of their absolute favorites.  My dad picked us up from the airport and we were happy to arrive home to some queso my parents had left us! Later Kylee's boyfriend came over and brought us Crumbl cookies too which was so sweet! I had done a lot of the laundry at our resort so we didn't have a ton to do when we got home- just unpacked, got some groceries and were happy to be home!!!