Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kael played in the worship band at InterVarsity last week! Wow! So brave playing in front of a ton of people and so, so cool! He's really spreading his wings in college!

I'm thankful that Kylee got a letter of interest from a college already about running cross country! I think it really made her feel proud and happy for as hard as she is working!

I'm thankful for Kylee's cross country coach.  He's just the best.  She had hoped for a better time last race and afterwards he sat with her and chatted and made her feel good saying you can't compare times even from year to year on the same course because of so many different factors like temperature, things like that.  By the end he had her smiling talking about her Homecoming plans. He's awesome.

I'm so thankful Kael is involved on campus. I love when he sends me pictures or shares with me what's going on at school with him! He seems so happy.

Happy Thursday, all! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

 The kids all had fun with dress up days last week for Homecoming. Snapped one quick pic of the boys before they rode to school on Hawaiian Day but also "anything but a backpack" day was a fun one for Kylee!

Kylee had a race in Indianola last week- she did awesome but is very hard on herself and wanted a better time.  She finished 17th overall though- super impressive!

Friday morning Kylee got up for an early cross country practice and then school then then dinner with friends then the Homecoming game (Garrett got in the game and got a great tackle!) then to Junkyard 5th Quarter.  Whew- girl is busy!

Kase had a tailgate party after school then he took off for his first youth group overnight! He and his group of buddies had a great time. 

Saturday morning Kylee had a long run then spent the day getting ready for her Homecoming dance! She had organized a great group of 21 kids and they were all very sweet and also thankful that Kent had made the reservation for them at Briarwood so they had a great spot for pictures and dinner! 

With no further ado, here are a million pictures of Kylee and her group! 

Southside running friend Raegen.  These girls have raced together for years!

Beautiful couple, beautiful sky! So thankful the weather held off.  It had been forecasted to storm but it turned out to be lovely out- if just a bit windy!

The guys.

The girls.

Whole squad.

Aww! 

Besties in blue. 

Junkyard girls!

Kylee's other bestie Mya wasn't in Kylee's group for dinner but happened to be at the same place for pictures so they were glad to get one together!

A few more from other moms. 

They had a great dinner then went to Uptown Dairy then stopped by our house for a bit before the dance.  They also came back here for awhile after so that was fun! Kylee ended up at another friend's for a sleepover later in the night and by all accounts had a great time!

Meanwhile, Kase was having a tailgate at his friend's house then a sleepover.  He also had a great time but was super stuffy and not feeling 100% but I think he was able to overlook that fact because when we picked him up Sunday morning he said, "Guess what Mom I have a girlfriend!" so he was very excited about this new development. 

Kylee came home early and immediately went back to sleep- happy to have had a fun night and super happy to be in her own bed.  Kase had a football game. 

You guys I could not be more proud of this buddy. We played against a couple of his close friends, one of whom is a phenomenal athlete too.  Kase was nervous before the game but man he went out their and played his hardest and he looked awesome.  But that's not the best part.  After the game (we lost) he went right up to his buddies and said "Great game!" with a big smile on his face.  And when we got back to the car he said, "I'm really proud of how I played.  I feel happy and that was really fun." He's really growing up and I'm so proud of the young man and athlete he has become. 

Later I rode my bike up to watch my nephew's football game.  Kylee hung out with her boyfriend and Kent and Kase relaxed then later went for a scooter/bike ride out to Saylorville then stopped for ice cream and a quick visit to Kevin and Kaity's house. Kylee and I went for a walk then caught up on a show we were watching together while her boyfriend had a football practice then later she went to his house.  It was a nice, lazy  night for all of us after that! 

Thankful for a day off school tomorrow! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my brother-in-law who was able to squeeze Kase in at his chiropractic office the other day after Kase kinda hurt his neck at football.  Thanks Rob!

I'm thankful that I ran into Kase's advisory and FCS teacher the other day.  She came up to me and was like, "Kase is AWESOME! I get to see him at the beginning of the day and also at the end of the day and he's doing so well.  He always seems to know what's going on and he seems happy!" She will never know how much it meant to me to hear that! 

I'm thankful it's almost the weekend! Happy Thursday! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Kent sent me these beautiful flowers while he was away because he loves me and he wanted to make sure we were getting along ok without him and he knew they would brighten my day.  He's the best.

Saturday morning after Kylee's long run she volunteered with her cross country team at Miracle League and had the best time.  Love that they do this.

Then we all headed for Pella to watch the game and visit Kael! 

Kase rode his scooter around and spotted Kael right away in the student section! We had a great spot on the hill.

The game had a brief lightning delay and while we waited it out, Kael asked Kase, "Hey do you want to play football with me and my friends?" The look on Kase's face was priceless- his eyes got big and he said, "Really?!" He was so happy to be included and it was fun to see Kael with his friends!

Meanwhile we explored campus.

It's so pretty at Central!

You know your kid is in the right place when other moms from your "college care pack" group spot him at the game and send you a picture!

Obligatory bakery stop.  Happy Kase.

We all headed back to the game and then Kylee and Garrett had to take off just a little bit before it ended because she had to get back for a Homecoming thing.  She drove home without either me or Kent with her- Garrett was with her and helped with directions but I'm so proud she did it!

After the game, Kent, Kase and I took Kael out for Mexican and then ice cream and had fun driving around town just spending time with Kael.  I'm just so happy knowing he is in the right place for him and he seems so happy! Love this kid.

We had a nice night at home- Kent and I went for a long walk, Kylee hung out with her friends and Kase played with his best buddy.

Sunday after church we harvested the rest of our apples then Kent mowed, Kylee and I ran a couple errands then her friends came over before On The Prowl!

Such an awesome group of girls and they were so sweet and thanked me so many times for hosting them and driving them all up their in Kent's truck!

Hilarious that Tammy and I took almost the exact same picture with Kylee (separetely without knowing!)

Kylee's group had a ton of fun and I loved watching the Blue Bunnies!

Garrett found Kylee and egged her during one of the games- she was a good sport about it! Pretty funny!

Meanwhile Kase was at a game.  He played well even though his team lost.  I got a sweet message from a friend who doesn't even have a kid on our team praising Kase's amazing arm. 

We had a nice night at home- Kent and I took a walk, Kylee grabbed dinner with her friends after OTP and Kase played with his best friend all night.  Ready for another fun, fall week ahead!