End of 2025, beginning of 2026

So, the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 have been a fantastic combination of busy and lazy! Let's roll it back to Halloween and pumpkin carving!

The kittens were very curious!

Noah was a squirrel for the Conant preschool Halloween.

Sam did "Men in Black" with some friends.

Isaac did the hot dog!

It's been a very exciting time around here as Noah makes his college decision. We are super proud of him, we know he will do fantastic wherever he goes. Augustana is definitely a front runner!

Love the kitty snuggles!

We hosted Thanksgiving and the kittens were curious about all the company!

Cousins!

More cousins!

Annual matching holiday pjs!

Christmas tree work.

Holiday band concerts!

And Sam had his first experience with High School Pep band!

We celebrated Sofia's 1st birthday!

And we began winter break in a fun rental home with lots of space, a crazy arcade room, an indoor pool with hot tub and sauna! We did some cooking projects, including authentic Bavarian pretzels. Noah had the recipe from his trip to Munich!

Back home we celebrated Christmas day with our usual top of the stairs picture!

Nice shirt!

Christmas Day with cousins!

New Years annual film festival, this year we did Transformers triology!

Some winter bowling, dad continues to dominate!

Noah did Conant's Prom Fashion show, looking sharp!

I was able to go watch, he and his buddy Vince were amazing. There was indeed a majestic hair toss!

And back at work, I celebrated Galentine's with my coworker Susan, our other friend Natalie got us matching cat lady sweaters!

So now we wait for winter to exit and we welcome more daylight!

Happy Holidays 2025!

As is tradition, please enjoy our quotable moments from 2025. While they may not be as plentiful, they are still chuckle worthy in my mind. Happy Holidays to you and yours! And yes, I still make them go take a photo with Santa! 18 years and counting!

Christmas Even 2024 - We head to my dad's house to visit, Mike offers to drive and I send him the address. Somehow his phone selects to navigate to Chili's because of a prior internet search. Everyone in the car hollers, "Chilis?!" and general mocking ensues.

Christmas Day 2024 - On Christmas morning while opening stockings, we discover an orange from last year in the toe of my stocking completely desiccated. Just want I wanted! 

March - I am hurriedly trying to leave the house in the morning for school but Isaac is missing 1 shoe. How is he missing just one shoe? After a frantic search we learn that Sam dragged up with his laundry, it was in his basket. 

April - Sam goes to Minecraft movie with friends. Mid-movie he sends me an urgent text, "mom, look it's Dolly Parton!" (he knows I love Dolly). It was a picture of Jennifer Coolidge.

June - Mike and I prepare for our 20th anniversary trip to San Antonio. Noah asks “is San Antonio is California or Mexico?” Wow those A's in geograaphy are really showing.

June - While we were in San Antonio on our anniversary trip Noah and Sam had a Friday night on their own. We told them if they got food we would pay for it. The somehow managed to spend nearly $50 at Jimmy John’s with just the 2 of them.

July - Josh shaved his head and Isaac said “oh uncle Josh I thought you had a couple

years left!” (referring to the balding process).

July - We are heading home from lake, Mike asks why we need 3 seats in the back of the minivan. I pause and then slowly state "for our 3 children." He had forgotten Sam. 

September - I was at school, teaching a student about the word "scared", I made a scared face, and then he proceeded to trace the wrinkles in between my eyebrows with his finger repeating "oh scared". Job well done, I guess?

November - During the annual Ladies Lunch the day after Thanksgiving, Deb tells us that Isaac had diagnosed her dog with degenerative myopathy. Over the summer, apparently he saw the dog and googled it and told her. Turns out, he was right! 

November - Isaac assures me he does not have a black shirt for a band concert, so we buy one. Then I'm showing his school picture to people and low and behold he is wearing a black shirt. The picture was taken just a month prior, so yes now he has TWO black shirts!

Beginning of the 2025-2026 school year

So we returned home from our Jersey Shore trip and then the boys had to get neutered.  They were less than thrilled about the cones, but managed just fine after a day.

Isaac had a cool experience at a "take your kid to work" day with Mike.

These two had their first day of school.  It was Noah's LAST first day of high school and Sam's FIRST first day of high school.  It's pretty awesome these two are back together!

This guy had his first day of junior high! Despite the bus missing him on the first day, he has managed to do just fine!

The cats have adjusted to the new school schedule and are happy when all the people get home each day.

Sam has perfected the art of feeding all 4 at once.

School pics are in and looking good!

Isaac enjoys being the first one home most days, he gets some good times with the cats!

We did our annual trip to the Rodeo in Fort Madison Iowa.  This year it was me, Isaac, and Noah.

Isaac found himself a pretty sweet buffalo hat!

Our annual line up photo of the kids!

Back at home for more kitten cuddles!

Sam went to Homecoming at Conant!

And Mike and I did a quick reunion trip to Augustana College and the place we met!

Back to more cat snuggles!

And Sam had his first band concert!

So we head into fall and all the fun that comes with it!