Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kase got along ok with a little medical procedure yesterday.  He honestly handled it way better than I thought he would!

I'm thankful Kael is moving home this weekend! So excited to have him here for the summer!

I'm thankful Kylee gets the opportunity to run at the State Qualifier tonight- go Jags!

Weekend Wrap-Uo

Thursday night Kylee had great support at the Conference meet! She and her 4x800 team were Conference Champs! 

 

She wasn't thrilled with her individual performance but I still hope she can be proud of how awesome the season has been so far!

Friday Kent went to watch Kael throw at Wartburg and they had the best day.  It was beautiful out and Kael threw well! So proud of him and so thankful that Kent has a job that allows him the freedom to have the day off to go support Kael!

After an appointment and lunch with Kylee, I had the afternoon free so I went to my parents' house to take a walk with them and look for mushrooms!

I found one!

Loved getting to spend time with them and it was such a nice day walking out in their backyard.

That evening we had kind of a lazy night- we hadn't been certain of our plans because we didn't know what time Kent was getting home and Kase had a haircut and Kylee's plans were up in the air- in the end we grilled out here, Kase went fishing then played FortNite with friends and Kylee had a friend over after track.  

Saturday we woke up to lots of rain and found out Kase's games were delayed.  Kylee was volunteering with a group of track girls to sell apparel at the Middle School meet and Kase had a lazy morning.  Kent and I went for a walk and got a few things done around the house. Kent and Kylee then went out for lunch while Kase played with friends.  So glad they had some time together.  Then she went to the gym then hung out with Garrett and went to dinner with him and his family.  We headed to the ballfields and Kase had two games.  He played SO well.  He went 5 for 6 and had some big hits, lots of great plays and pitched really well.  So happy for him- he got two MVP nominations! He also had fun goofing around with some guys from other teams he has played with before.  The team went 1-1 on the day but there's nothing better than seeing a happy, energetic Kase.  I am also so thankful for his friend's mom who loves to take a TON of pictures- she got some great ones she shared with me!

Sunday we had an early game.  Not our best, by far.  The other team's first batter hit a home run off one of our best pitchers and then it was kind of just downhill from there.  But Kase was a true leader- cheering everyone on and just being the best version of himself and again, joking around with buddies from the other team.  Kylee went to church with Garrett then they met us out for brunch between games. Later she went to a grad party and Kent and I had one to stop by also.  Then we went back to the fields for another game and we won which was a fun way to end the tournament. That evening Kylee played sand volleyball with friends then had a sleepover and Kase also slept over at a friend's so Kent and I had the night free! We went for a quick date night dinner out- it was such a nice surprise having our evening free like that!

Monday was a no school day.  (It was also my mom's birthday and we left her a fun surprise at hear house!) Kylee went to brunch with her friends and Kase played with friends around here.  They rode to Orange Leaf, played wiffle ball.  The best day. Then Kent took him to the pond and they had a nice afternoon fishing.  Kylee had PT and track then hung out with Garrett. 

Have a great week!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kylee got selected to be in National Honor Society! The application process was a lot of work but truly there is no one more deserving than her to be a part of this elite group.  Way to go, Kylee! 

I'm thankful for getting a lot accomplished this week. It feels good to stay busy.  Mowing the yard, planting the flowers- it's been a great week.

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

I'm thankful Kael will be home from school soon.  How can it be that he's finished his first year of college already?! Looking forward to spending time with him this summer.

Have a great weekend! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

 Kase was so excited to have Kael home for a little while Wednesday night.  They started playing catch with a football then of course took it to the park to try and do some trick shots.  Love when these two get to spend time together. 

Friday Kent, Keith and Cindy went to Simpson to watch Kael throw.  The weather conditions were not ideal but they loved going to see him.

Friday night was Kase's birthday party.  We planned this pretty last minute once we knew Kylee was running at Drake and I was so thrilled with how many boys were able to come! Every single kid that we invited (plus one- ha!) Urban Air was the perfect spot on a stormy night for these boys to burn off some energy.  Couldn't be happier with the squad Kase has found for himself.  These boys are a pretty special group.

And so generous! Kase got some awesome gifts.  Of course he was excited about all the xBox gift cards but I always love to see all the things the boys write in the cards- one kid even printed off the Crew logo from Google and made it into an envelope for him! 

While I was manning the party, Kent was home with Kylee helping her get all ready for her big day tomorrow.  They grilled steaks, made pasta and enjoyed hanging out.  Later Garrett came over too and that was the perfect night for Kylee. She went to bed early but then the tornado sirens went off and storms were loud all night.  Thankful we didn't have any damage here. I wouldn't say we got a lot of sleep though!

Saturday morning Kylee was up early to head to the Drake Relays! I just couldn't be prouder of her or happier for her.  She has just worked so hard and what an honor and a big deal to get to run there.  

Kase slept in but woke up in just enough time to quick open some gifts before we went to watch Kylee.  

He was just SO happy.  He kept running around saying, "It's my birthday!!!" He LOVED all his gifts but especially his wooden bat and his Retro Jordan 4s.

A quick birthday breakfast of coffee cake before we headed out!

Kylee's cheering squad! Kael even made the trip home from college to support her- love that. And Garrett of course is always there for her!

Goooooo Kylee!!!!

So cool seeing her run on the Blue Oval. 

Kylee PR'd! Our team was 10th out of 20 and ran a season best time.  Way to go, girls! They actually all PR'd and had the second fastest time in school history!

She stayed Drake with her team.  Kent, Kase and I came home and Kael went to Emma's. Kase spent the entire afternoon playing with friends- he said it was the best birthday ever because he had a free day (no school or practices) and it was raining and he could spend the whole day outside with friends.  They played football, pickle, wiffle ball, slid through rain puddles, played FortNite and watched movies. His friends all stayed til late.  Garrett came over to hang out with Kylee.  We ordered pizza and had a nice, chill night here. 

Sunday Kylee and I went to a baby sprinkle for my sister-in-law.  Always great to see the fam- getting excited for Baby Girl Patterson to arrive at the end of May! While we were gone Kent and Kase did some baseball work and a couple of Kase's friends stopped by to join in the fun also. Later Kylee went to Target with a friend, Kent and I went for a walk and worked on planning some upcoming trips.  Kase played out in the rain with friends and was so happy all day. Later Kylee and I went to Garrett's 7-7 football games.  Great weekend! 

Happy Birthday, Kase!

 Kase is 12 years old today!

It's been a heck of a year for this buddy- transitioning to middle school was probably the biggest thing that changed in his life this year and although it hasn't been smooth sailing every day, he seems to be enjoying school WAY more than he did in fifth grade.  I think getting up and moving around classes during the day has really helped.

Kase has surrounded himself with a solid group of friends and I think there can always be change when go from elementary to middle school but most of his best buddies have remained close to him and I'm so thankful for the village he has.  He can almost always find a friend to play with around the neighborhood after school and that's when he's happiest.

Kase loves a rainy day, peanut butter/Nutella/banana toast, sleepovers, baseball, and owning nice shoes but almost never wearing them and keeping them in pristine condition on his shelves in his room. He hates being alone, falling asleep and homework and putting anything away in its correct spot- ha.

Kase is funny.  He's goofy and lighthearted.  He'll push your buttons then make you laugh. He's hard on himself but is always just one great hit or play away from turning it all around and being bouncy and fired up.  It's so fun watching this kid play ball- the energy he brings is just absolutely electric.  He's the first one to cheer for his friends when they're doing well and quick to try to pickup someone who's down on themselves. He encourages his teammates and also gives them advice when he thinks it can be helpful. 

Since it's baseball season, he and Kent spend a lot of time together but I just love these little pockets of time when it's just him and I.  "Mom- ride my electric scooter and we can race to Orange Leaf!" Then he laughs when I can't even figure out how to turn it on but is eager to show me how to do it. He's growing up right before my very eyes and I am just so thankful God gave this one to me. 

Kase, for all his talents and hard work, never brags.  He has broken record after record at his workout facility for the middle school age group and when he gets home, he never even tells me about them! I have to find out about it when his trainer posts to social media! Love that about him.  Humble.  Works hard in silence and lets his success be the noise. 

I'm so anxious to see where life takes Kase but I'm in no hurry for him to grow up.  Twelve year old Kase is pretty awesome and I'm cherishing every last moment of him being "little" but those moments are very few and far between lately.  

Happy birthday buddy! We love you so much and are so proud of the young man you are becoming. 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kael got to stop home last night! He was invited to do a panel at Junkyard- so proud of him and always great to see him.

I'm thankful for a beautiful day yesterday.  The sun was shining and it was just perfect out.

I'm thankful for an exciting weekend ahead! Kase's birthday and Kylee running at Drake!

I'm thankful for how Kent handles things. It's not easy being head coach and when there are difficult conversations that need to take place Kent never shies away from them. 

Happy Thursday!

April Birthday Boys

I can't believe this is the last year my April birthday boys will wake up in the same place together.  It has been an absolute joy getting a picture of them together each year and seeing how they've grown. 

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024