Basketball Trips and catching up

 Well, we are a week into March, and I haven fallen behind on blogging again. Whoops. We have been really busy with basketball practices and games, weekend trips, and just general busyness. 

A few weekends ago was the Weiner Dog Races at the Stampede Game. John won some free tickets through a radio station, so we went. It was really fun, and the kids really got into the races. The Polzins were also at the game, so the kids spent some time sitting with them as well. 

Two weekends ago was the Nebraska Basketball Tournament. We knew Emma wasn't going to play much at all, so John and I decided not to make the 4 hour drive, but Emma really wanted to go, so she tagged along with the Hinners. She had a really good time hanging with her friends, swimming in the pool, and just having an outing without mom and dad around. She did get to play a little bit in one game when they were down by a lot, and it sounds like she enjoyed it. 

Elliott went and spent 3 nights at Grandma and Grandpa's house while Emma was in Nebraska. He got spoiled and had a great time. On Friday evening, since we were kidless, John and I had a date night at Carnaval. We hadn't been there in a long time, but it was really good and we enjoyed ourselves. After the meal, we headed home and enjoyed some drinks and a movie and a quiet evening. It was really nice. 

On Saturday, John, Elliott, and Jim went ice fishing. They had a good time. I enjoyed an empty house and did some cleaning, laundry, and went to the gym. Emma got home around 7:30pm, and we got everyone settled back at home, and ready for church the next day. It was one heck of a weekend. 

This past week was pretty busy as well. The kids had dress up days every day for school. They had fun dressing up. Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, and I had to help serve the supper meal. So, we spent most of the evening at church. On Friday evening, we went to First Friday downtown and took the kids to the Kirby Science Center for free. They had fun running around and playing with the new items we hadn't seen since the last time we were there. After they were played out, we checked out the Visual Arts center and looked at some paintings and art. They also were giving away free cake, so the kids were all over that. 

We left the Washington Pavillion around 7:00pm, and we hadn't eaten supper yet, so the kids were starving. We ended up taking them to Everest, which is an Indian Restaurant. The kids loved it. We tried a few new items, and then ordered Tika Masala and Mango Chicken, along with some Naan bread. It was delicious. I think Elliott ate more than John and I did. 

On Saturday, we left nice and early to get to Watertown by 9:00 am. The GPLHS Basketball Tournament was happening. Emma was really excited for the tournament, and she got to play in just about every game. My mom and dad also came to town to watch her play, and we all had a really good time watching the tournament. Emma didn't score any points, but she had some great rebounds and played really good defense. She has come a long way this year with her basketball skills, and I can't wait to watch her continue to grow and improve. 

After the games were over, we checked into our hotel. We decided to spend the night in Watertown with my parents. The roads were a little crappy, and we just decided to make a fun weekend out of it. We visited a Brewery called Dempsey's which was really good, and then we ate supper at a steakhouse, which also was good. After supper, we swam with the kids for a while, and then while the two very tired kids watched TV, we played some sheepshead and enjoyed just visiting. 

Yesterday, we started with a good breakfast at the hotel, and then the kids did some more swimming. We left Watertown around noon, and then finally got home and unpacked. It was another really busy weekend, and I would love to catch our breath someday. Thankfully, I had today off, so I am able to play catch up at home and ease my way into the workweek. 

This next week is looking a little less busy, which is nice because in 12 days we fly to Arizonia, and we need to start planning things and slowly packing things soon. It will be here before we know it. The kids are so excited for our trip (I am too!) 

This Friday, is the parent-player game at Bethel. It is what it sounds like, the parents play against the kids. I am going to play for us, and then I am going to meet up with John and his co-workers for his work holiday party. Saturday is pretty open, so that will be a good day to get some things done before we really have to start focusing on our trip. 

Stampede Game 

Finally finished this puzzle, and then we were missing two pieces!

Basketball Tournament 

Emma and Coach Tomczak 

Team Huddle 

The Bethel Basketball Team 

Elliott and his army men

Bridges Bay and The Super Bowl

 Well, we are halfway through February already. So far, this month has consisted of basketball practices and games, homework, 4-H activities, and a trip to Iowa. We have definitely been keeping busy. 

Emma is still playing basketball, and she is really enjoying it. We had another scrimmage at school last weekend. Emma has improved so much since the first scrimmage. She actually scored her first basket every during the scrimmage, and she was so happy! It was a really fun evening of basketball, and it's fun to watch the improvements from week to week. 

Homework continues to go okay with the kids. Usually, both kids have spelling words, memory work, and reading time to do each night. Then, Emma has piano lessons to fit in, and sometimes some science or math. We just had conferences with the teachers last night, and everything is going well. Both kids are really good students, there are just always things to work on and push the kids with. But, overall, we were two very happy parents after conferences and we went to Walburgers afterwards to celebrate. 

4-H has been keeping us busy as well. The first weekend of February, we volunteered at Winterfest of Wheels. We spent three hours helping run the car simulation, selling raffle tickets, and both kids dressed up in costumes and walked around during the event. It was really busy, but it went pretty well. We were all ready to leave by the time it was over. The next day we had a 4-H meeting, and we made Valentine's cards for nursing home residents. Then, we ate supper at Pizza Ranch with Jim, Barb, and Katie for Jim's birthday. It was nice to catch up with everyone. 

We also made some purchases this month. After shopping for quite a while, John finally bought himself a new ice shack. He hasn't even gotten to use it yet, but he has it all set up and ready to go. He plans to fish this weekend, and he is very excited. I finished my Diamond art of Starry Night, and took it to Hobby Lobby to be custom framed, so in two weeks I should get that back and we will find a place to put it. I'm really excited to see how that will turn out. 

This past weekend, we took our trip to Bridges Bay with my parents and Rachel and Elena, which was mom and dad's gift to the kids for Christmas. Everyone had a really good time. We all arrived around noon, and met in the bar for lunch and visiting. Our rooms were available at 1:00pm, so we checked in, changed, and then went to the waterpark. The kids had a lot of fun with the waterslides and the lazy river, and Emma really enjoyed the hot tub. We spent a solid 3 hours playing in the water, and then we headed back to spend some time in the room. 

We cooked some pizzas for supper, and of course everyone brought way too much food and drinks, so we all snacked pretty much all night. The kids played very well together the entire weekend, and us adults enjoyed some games and just hanging out. We watched some Winter Olympics and just enjoyed our time together. 

On Sunday, we went to the waterpark as soon as it opened, which was nice because it wasn't very busy. We swam for a couple hours, and then we all got cleaned up and checked out of our room before eating some lunch and then heading home. 

We got home around 3:00pm, and then had to get ready to host a Super Bowl party. We had the Hinners and Jen over for the Super Bowl. John made wings and queso dip, I made some meatballs, and then everyone else brought some treats as well. It was a really fun party. The Rams played the Bengals, and beat them 23-20, so it was a pretty good game. Everyone left around 9:00pm, and then it was time to put kids to bed and clean up. It was a very tiring day, but it was fun. 

This week has been busy again. Last night we had parent-teacher conferences, tonight is choir practice, and tomorrow I have Women of Bethel Bible study. Every single evening has had something going on. Throw in some homework, going to the gym, and housework, and that's pretty much my entire week. Also, this weekend Emma has another basketball scrimmage and then we have bowling with the church on Sunday. Whew. On top of all that, we signed both kids up for slow pitch softball this summer, and I just signed Emma up for Camp Luther. We are going to have another crazy summer!

Post player Emma 

Cousins 

Air hockey 

Cherry Berry 

Kids at the bar 

Thanks for the great weekend, Grandma and Grandpa 

Photobombed by Emma 

Basketball and Bowling

 The first month of 2022 is about over. That's sure hard to believe. We've been keeping busy with Emma and basketball practice and games, and just the general work/school/homework busyness. 

Emma had her first basketball scrimmage game two Fridays ago. It was really cute and fun to watch, and just a little bit painful. Emma has really good defensive skills, now we just need to work on shooting and just general awareness of what is going on on the basketball court. But, I have to remember she is only in 4th grade, and she has a lot of learning ahead of her. Her team did win, and she seemed to really enjoy herself out there, so that's the main thing. Elliott was also there, and he enjoyed running around with the other kids and cheering for the Bethel teams. 

My parents came to visit last weekend. They came on Saturday morning. We enjoyed some homemade pizzas for lunch and then we went to Sport Bowl for a couple hours of bowling. It was really fun to get out of the house and enjoy some bowling. It was a good time. Mom actually beat us all in the first game, which I don't think anybody expected. 

After bowling, we got some groceries and made some chicken tacos for supper. They were delicious. We played some games with the kids, and then just visited and had a nice evening. On Sunday, we did the church thing, hung out for a while, and then mom and dad headed home. It was a nice little visit. 

This past week has been pretty low key. We actually didn't have a million things going on, which was nice. This weekend was the same way. We really didn't have any commitments, and we were content to just hang out and relax. John did get his suit for Jeff's wedding yesterday. While he did that, the kids and I played legos, baked mini bundt cakes, and then went ice skating at Memorial Park. The kids really enjoyed the skating. Elliott went around like 10 times, and Emma enjoyed it until she got a blister. I think we will be back again though, both kids need for practice with their ice skates. 

After skating, we headed out to Jim and Barb's house for supper. The kids begged to stay overnight, so they did. John and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home, and then we went to church today without kids which was kind of weird. Now, John is ice fishing, the kids are still at the farm, and I am catching up on some stuff at home. It's been a good weekend, and I am feeling caught up on things. This afternoon there are some football games, and I will probably work on our puzzle and enjoy the games. 

Next week is looking busier, so I am going to enjoy the quiet :) 

Go #5

Family Bowling 

Baking team 

Mid-January Updates

 It's already the middle of January. 2022 is up and running. These past two weeks have been busy just getting back into the flow of things. Back to work days, rushed mornings, homework, packing lunches, and our regular routine. It's been good. The kids are happy to be back at school and in their normal routine. 

The evenings have been filled with homework, trips to the Midco to swim, and some Nintendo Switch playing. I have also gotten into Diamond art, which I have been spending some evenings doing. It's fun to have a drink, put on a good show, and just craft for a while. 

Last weekend, the kids and John went ice fishing with Grandpa Jim. Everyone had a good time, especially Elliott, who caught a fish within the first 10 minutes of fishing. He was very excited. Emma enjoyed going along, but she didn't catch any fish and got bored after awhile, and says that "ice fishing just isn't my thing". So, we will see if she goes again. John really enjoyed himself, and is already planning his next trip. 

We also had our 4-H Christmas Party this past Sunday. We did the typical bowling with Pizza Ranch to follow. It was a fun evening, and the kids had a really good time meeting some new kids their own age. It was cute. 

This week has been pretty good. Emma has started basketball practice two nights a week, and her first "game" is coming up next Friday. She loves basketball practice, and she can't wait to start playing some games. She has a lot of learning to do, but she works hard and has fun. I'm excited to go to some basketball games and have a good time. 

The kids don't have school today because it's the end of the second quarter of school. It's hard to believe we are halfway through the school year! So, I took today off to be able to spend some time with the kids. However, all of a sudden there were sleepover plans at the Polzins' house, so both kids ended up going there to spend the night. Emma and Elliott went to the Polzins' house after school, and now they will be there all day today until supper time. They have plans to go swim at the Midco, play at the Bethel Gym, and just play and have fun. I'm sure they aren't suffering, but I am sure missing them. This is my second day, and third evening to myself around here, and I don't know the last time I've had so much free time. It's crazy!

I got caught up on scrapbooking, watched some movies, read some books, cleaned, grocery shopped, went to the gym, and slept in. And I still have some time. It's been nice, but I'm ready to see the kiddos again, We will have to do something fun together tomorrow. 

Tonight, when we go to pick up the kids, we are going to have supper with some of the Burger Battle burgers from downtown. It should be a fun evening. The rest of the weekend is pretty open. John might go ice fishing, and then Emma, Elliott, and I will have to find something to do. We also have some Wild Card football games to watch. Cheers to the weekend!

4-H bowling group

Facials and foot masks with mom 

Ice fishing!

Nelson Christmas

 Yesterday (New Year's Eve" we celebrated Christmas with the Nelson side of the family. We got packed up and then headed out to the farm at around 11:00 am. After we got to Jim and Barb's house, we unpacked, got the gifts under the tree and the stockings stuffed, and then we got ready for dinner. Jeffrey and Samantha arrived, and then we all ate some French Dip sandwiches, fries, broccoli salad, and oodles and oddles of snacks. It was good. 

After cleanup, it was finally present time. The kids got some really goof gifts including legos, robotics, watercolors, and other odds and ends. They were very happy. Everyone enjoyed the process of opening gifts, and then the kids got busy building legos and robots. After a while, we played a couple games and enjoyed each other's company. 

Supper consisted of snackies and then we finished the evening with a round of spoons. The kids ended up spending the night just because Jim and Barb wanted them too. It was a nice, low-key Christmas gathering. I think we are all officially over the Christmas celebrations and ready to just get back to a normal routine again. 

Shortly, John and I are heading out (into -6 degree weather) to go and pick up the kids. I'm ready to have them home again and enjoy a quiet evening before we get one more day off tomorrow, and then it's back to reality. 

Ready for the New Year

Air Madness