Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for Kent and all his hard work.  Last week he accomplished a huge goal of making it to Level 10 Tier 2 in his business and I'm so proud of him but honestly just so, so happy for him. Way to go, love!

Thankful for Kylee's hard work paying off too! She was inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society on Monday and I'm so proud of her! 

Thankful Thursday

 I'm so thankful Kael was home last weekend! We enjoyed spending time with him and were so grateful for him to help out with a few projects around the house. 

I'm thankful for time with family. 

I'm thankful Kent had fun with his dad and brother at a concert last weekend.

I'm thankful for the beautiful bouquet of flowers Kent sent me last week. He's the best. 

I'm thankful for the warm, sunny weather! Kase spent all day Sunday playing outside with friends which is his favorite kind of day.

I'm thankful for my workout class. It's been really fun doing something different this winter.

I'm thankful Kase got his braces off- he looks so grown up!

I'm thankful vacation is right around the corner.  We can't wait!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for an impromptu lunch with my aunt and uncle, parents and Kael the other day. So good to see everyone!

I'm thankful Kent is enjoying his new Jiu Jitsu class. He's so good about trying new things.  

I'm thankful Kase is having fun with 8th grade basketball.  We can't for games to start.

I'm thankful for my new workout class with my friend.  

Have a great day! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a fun shopping day with my parents.  Nearly every year we find a day for me to go with them to some cute, fun shops and just get in the holiday spirit.  We didn't find a lot to buy but we did have a great morning and lovely lunch together and a lovely!

I'm thankful Kase is still having fun at wrestling.  It's a mental battle for him for sure but he works his heart out and I love to see him have some success. Also thankful that when he lost his mouth guard between matches the other night, his opponent happened to get injured and had to scratch so Kase didn't have to forfeit.  That kid.  Man, if we can just get him to keep track of his stuff...he's really going places I just know it!

Happy Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

 Kent and I celebrated our 20 year anniversary in Sicily and I'm so thankful for him and all he did to earn the trip and also make it a fun adventure together.  

The day we arrived was beautiful! Blue sky and gorgeous water right outside of our hotel.

Really pretty hotel. 

Of course we had pizza! We explored Palermo with a group walking tour and enjoyed seeing the cathedral there. It was rainy that day so we went back to the hotel after exploring for awhile.

When the weather cleared we found a cute little spot near our hotel to try the local dish famous to Palermo and Sicily- arancine! Kent loved it.

One night we had the loveliest dinner at our hotel. The restaurant there was so good and a really pretty view looking out on the water.  This is a night I will remember forever.

We toured some cool spots while we were there and the cathedral at Monreale was a highlight for us both.  Having lived in Spain for a semester I have seen my fair share of cathedrals but truly, this is my very favorite one ever.  All of that is gold leaf mosaic!

This place reminded us of the Alhambra in Spain.  I just love this picture of Kent. 

Another day, another cathedral.  Love all the charming squares and piazzas all around the towns.

Our hotel had the MOST gorgeous flower arrangements.  I loved walking by them each day to see if they had opened even more- they smelled so amazing.

Our theme dinner was at an estate off property from our hotel and it was stunning.  Truly I felt like a movie star or something being at this place.  Just gorgeous!!! I had a pretty good looking date too. 

Beautiful views while touring the amphitheater in Segesta.

And this temple was built in 430 BC.  Wild! 

This view while driving up to the hilltop town of Erice was pretty special.  

This place felt like it was out of a movie.  Cute little streets everywhere you turned.

One day we joined some friends for a winery tour and this was so fun! Met some great people that I hope we stay in touch with!

Grabbed a quick lunch with them afterwards.

Kent and I did a little souvenir shopping that afternoon.  Kase loved the cologne we specially mixed for him!

And imagine a whole store just for me! Ha!

The last tour we did was to the coastal town of Cefalu and it was probably my favorite one. The rain had cleared and we had just a gorgeous, sunny day. 

So pretty!

We found the cutest courtyard for lunch.  

We spent the last evening soaking up the view from our hotel.  We walked along the cliffs watching a snorkeler and kayakers and just enjoyed chatting as the sunset.  Honestly that was one of my favorite memories of the trip. 

Kent surprised me with first class tickets home and I couldn't believe how amazing the flight from Rome to Chicago was.  I'm the luckiest.  I felt so spoiled and actually was able to sleep quite a bit!!!

Meanwhile at home the kids were in good hands.  Kase went to the Iowa basketball game with Grandpa Keith.

We even got some snow while we were gone!

Kael came home and enjoyed dinner and cards with the fam. And Kylee got a new job at Wig and Pen!

Kase had a wrestling match and did well!

And the kids could see the Northern Lights!

By all accounts the kids got along great here and I'm so thankful for my village who were able to take care of them while I was away!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful for how much Kase currently loves wrestling.  Proud of him for trying something new.

I'm thankful for great coaches who take Kylee's physical and mental well-being into account as they prepare for the end of the season.  Kylee didn't race at the State Qualifier yesterday because the coaches want her in her best possible shape for State.

I'm thankful for how proud Kase is of the birdhouse he made in shop class! It turned out so good! 

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful for a beautiful night for football on Tuesday and so thankful for how much fun it is to watch Kase! He has grown so much in his confidence this year and it is just awesome watching him out there throwing great passes, making great runs and just having fun. Thankful for all the friends and family who cheer him on! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a cute things Kase does.  He always texts me when it's raining.  No matter where he is or where I am, I always get a text.  Like when I was in Italy he texted me it was raining.  The other day he was out riding scooters with his friends and texted me that it was raining. I think it's so sweet and I hope when he's 20 he is still texting me every time it rains.  

I'm thankful for Kase's first 8th grade football game! I thought he did a great job and more than anything I was impressed that he didn't forget anything like his cleats and also he looked confident and composed and knew the plays.  Good job, Kaser!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful school is back in session.  Not sure Kase is though- ha! 

I'm thankful for some fun senior year memories already made for Kylee and her friends. They watched the sunset the night before school at the beach together.

Then had a sleepover and went to Senior Sunrise on the football field for the first day of school!

She did stop home for a front door pic. 

I'm thankful for a great first meet for Kylee on Tuesday! She looked strong and was content with her time and placement.

I'm thankful for my partner in crime as we are the senior cross country parents this year.  Setting up team camp is a big commitment and I'm so thankful to have him by my side!

Thankful for my village and for everyone coming out to support Kylee.  Keith and Cindy were so sweet to pick up Kase from football and hurry him out to the meet even though it meant they missed part of the race.  I really appreciated them handling him so I could be there!

Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a fun night at the I Cubs for an event for Kent.  Thankful Kylee and Kase were able to go too and Kase brought his friend along.  Fun night!

 

I am thankful that school starts soon.  I'm ready for routine! And fall weather!!!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kase has been having fun at football camp this week!

I'm thankful for a fun weekend ahead. Our last full weekend together before Kael heads back to school!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kylee is having fun on her cross country retreat!

I'm thankful Kase is getting along ok with his boot and taking good care of his foot so it can heal properly.  He's also been working hard at doing baseball arm workouts so he can still continue to improve even as his foot heals! And I'm thankful for both grandmas who delivered Kase his favorite treats to keep his spirits up!

Happy Thursday!