end of Basketball and more.

 Kendal had her last two games for her basketball season on the 28th and 30th of January. Grandma and Grandpa Loosle were able to come into town to see her game on the 28th that they played at Twin Falls High School. The game was close the whole time and went into overtime, but the girls pulled out a win! Her last game was on the 30th at Wood River. The girls crushed them yet again! Kendal got a good amount of playing time up in Wood River since they were up by so much. We're proud of Kendal's hard work this year in basketball. She put in a lot of effort, grew, and best of all got to play for her Dad! We've had Kendal driving out a lot the last few weeks in preparation for her test. She doesn't love being my errand girl, or driving just to drive, but practice we did. Kendal had an orthotic appointment on the 5th to look into things before she rolls into track season this year. $700 later and she's got a new pair of orthotic inserts on their way and some advice and expensive track shoes to help her feet / shins do better in the future. Kendal spends most weekends with friends in one way or another. She had two weeks in a row of working on a stop motion project with friends, some weekend hanging out, as well as spending the afternoon of Valentines day with her buddies. Kendal took her written driving test on Valentines day, and her Driving test yesterday morning in Buhl. She passed both with good scores and we'll go in and get her licence this week!!

Pete and Casey made a deal that if he 30 runs miles before track season he'll get new track shoes, so when the weather and his attitude are in a good mood he goes out to run. Pete had his orthodontist consultation this last week and will have his braces on by the end of the month. He's so ready to get started, but I don't think he's excited for the process. Casey took Pete to the new Marvel movie on Valentines day. They've bonded a lot over the marvel movies this past year and so I suggested they go. Yesterday he got to go play around at the church house with his friends then later they took him to a CSI basketball game. 

 

Alice is doing well in school. She had a good report at parent teacher conferences this last week (she could talk a bit less with pals ; ), but her teacher was grateful for how she is a good friend, a good example, and a good student overall. Alice is still our crafty little lady and has had a fun time making Valentines and decorating her box for her class party the last couple of weeks. Alice got to have her class party on the 13th for Valentines, she put a lot of care into the Valentines she made and enjoyed the party and treats! Alice got her latest reading award last week in school She completed her Rising Reader certification! She's loving fairy chapter books these days. 

 

Casey wrapped up his teams season on the 30th. He had a good team this year, (a bit dramatic, but talented overall). They had a record of 10 and 5 to end their season. They played some tougher teams this year so he's proud of that record! Casey has enjoyed coaching Kendal. I've loved going to support them both. A couple of days after the C team ended their season the JV had their tournament in Kimberly. Casey was there all day, I made it to the championship game, Kendal watched a bit and then was helping with concessions the rest of the time. The Varsity team had two games this last week that secured their district title and ticket to state that will be this week in Boise. Casey also released from the Stake Young Men's. His president got pulled into a bishopric and so they released the whole presidency. He's had such a great time serving this past year and a half. He'll miss it and miss all that they had planned. I had Casey take me to the temple for Valentines day. We did sealings which we haven't done in forever. We've also squeezed in a date a couple of weeks ago, just eating out and enjoying the evening together. 

My days are full of work and family. I've started my spring math class to finish the Idaho certification. We had in person training all day last Saturday which was fascinating / intimidating all rolled into one. I put on a school dance for PAWS day on the 13th. It was a lot of work, but we had a lot of students attend (343!). The dance was pure chaos, but a hoot to be apart of. Pete chose not to attend, but to take apart things in Mr. Cooks room. He even came home with a pocket full of springs.  Like I said above Casey and I had a temple date to start off our Valentines and we ended at the last boys basketball games of their "general season". 

Birthday, Basketball, an ski day!

 Alice's birthday got spread out a bit last week. Monday she went and picked a balloon and birthday treats for her class at the store.  She also got her birthday card from Grandma and Grandpa L and had to put that together as soon as she could. Since she didn't want a cake this year she decided on doughnuts. She insisted on picking them up the day before her birthday. Alice got to open presents the morning of her birthday. Her favorites were the box of art supplies and the makeup kit. She had a good day at school and got to take treats to her class. After school Grandma and Grandpa D stopped by to wish her a happy birthday and give her her scriptures. We put together her doughnut bouquet and she got to play her evening away. Because Kendal and Pete had YM / YW that night we decided to go out to dinner on Friday. She chose pizza pie cafe. Afterwards we went to target on an errand and she spent some birthday Money on a new unicorn hat that she's worn for the last week strait! 

Kendal has had three games in the last two weeks. She played in Oakley on the 16th against their JV team. It was a rough game with a big loss, but the girls learned and hopefully grew in some ways because of it. They played Snake River at home on the 18. It was a tough game. They had 4 girls foul out in the last quarter and had to end the game with only 4 girls on the court. Kendal did make a few baskets though to help out her team! It was frustrating (even Casey got told off a bit by the ref for asking about a foul). Her only game this week was over in Filer. It was a close game the whole time, and the girls had to be fierce against the other team, but we pulled out a victory winning by only a couple of points. Kendal's last two games are this week, then her season is over, and Casey will continue for 3 weeks with the other two teams. 

Peter had a project in Casey's class last month. He finally brought it home so I could snap a picture. Because he's not playing a sport right now he spends his afternoons playing around at home. I need it to warm up so I can kick him out to run more ; ). (The extra pictures are my attempt to get more pictures of our "forgotten middle child"; )

Friday was the 7th / 8th grade ski day for the Middle School. Casey decided to take Alice since she's been begging to go all winter. He offered to let Kendal go to, but she wasn't willing to miss school. Alice did well for her first time. She had a good attitude the whole day and was so happy she got to go and ski. Besides being stuck on the bunny hill waiting to be checked off, Pete had a great day skiing with friends. Casey didn't even get a picture of him because he was off on the big hill so much. 

Alice: Showing off her $1 school sales purchase, and her crafting for Valentines (both with her new hat - like I said it's been on her head all week!)

Alice is 8!

 Alice is 8 today! This girl loves a good celebration and has been counting down the days till her birthday. At age 8, Alice is all things girly. She loves to dress up and look good, she also likes makeup and nails. She is so creative and will sit and craft for the longest time. She would also decorate way more of is let her for holidays / everyday ; ). She enjoys playing with her barbies and her American girl doll. Alice loves to learn and read (she's grown so much and is at a 5th grade reading level right now)! Alice still enjoys stealing my phone and watching videos when she can.  Alice found a love for swimming this past year and is wanting to do a winter swim class as well. She may not love being dragged to her siblings plethora of games, but she's a trooper most of the time and she's getting old enough to leave at home with Pete or Kendal when it works out. Alice still loves to sing and she's dabbled in the piano. I might have to give up on the waiting list and try to find a new teacher to take her on this year. Alice is very fun and outgoing at home, but had a very shy and reserved side with others. We love her sweet soul and kind heart and love watching her learn and grow! 

Alice at age 8!

Favorite color: Pink!

Favorite activity: barbies

Favorite food: noodles

Favorite animal: unicorns

Favorite song: Let it go!

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Favorite thing about school: learning

Favorite book: fairy books

When I grow up: "like you mom,  a librarian and mom." She also often says a nurse

Nicknames, "little lady" "short cake"

Starting off 2025

Kendal got Student of the month in December - they just posted the picture this week so I thought I'd add it here. 

New Years Eve Casey was asked to help chaperone the New Years Eve regional Youth dance over in Filer. Kendal joined up with some friends to head there because she didn't want to be early. I stayed home with Alice and Pete. We had treats and watched a movie. Alice made it till just after 10 and declared herself done for the night so we pulled up the Idaho Spud drop from a previous year and then I put her to bed. Pete put on a Star Wars show and I let him stay up till midnight.  

We had a very easy going 2nd week of the break. Besides basketball practice and Pete and Kendal off with friends a bit we stayed home and played some air hockey, relaxed, and watched some movies together. 

Casey and Kendal went off to Sugar Salem on the 4th for a day of games. They lost that one, but knew going in it would be a hard game. They did better than their previous time playing them so that's a plus! I went to a bridal shower for our ward primary chorister and made yummy bread. 

This past week we were back in the swing of life with school back in and basketball games throughout the week. It was the end of the quarter so Kendal had a week of tests and projects due. Pete made a Lego Ziggerat for a project in Casey's class and had other papers and projects due (that he saved till the last min. and may have gotten in trouble for procrastinating). It was a crazy week for sure and I ended it with two days worth of migraines, but had to manage anyways. Kendal had a game in Jerome on the 7th. Her team fell short on their shots and ended up loosing. Pete got to be at the temple that night doing baptisms for the dead. Alice wasn't thrilled to be my basketball buddy and because they changed up game times so Kendal's game was at 7 it made for a late night. Kendal also had a game on the 8th at home. There was no C team for Wood River but their JV begged and pushed to play the c team so Kendal got to play and they won by A LOT! Because they were up by a lot throughout the game Kendal had the most play time she's had in a game all season. Kenny and Cheryl were able to be there and see her. She even made a sweet layup at the end of the game! 

 

Yesterday Casey was off to Snake River the whole day for a couple of games. They don't have a C team this year so Kendal didn't go. Instead she became my chauffeur for errands which she wasn't thrilled about. All of the kids got friend time yesterday and it was a nice Saturday all around. 

Kendal's games are scattered and a bit up in the air for the rest of the month thanks to canceled games and trying to add games. We'll see how it goes. Tomorrow is a new quarter Kendal is done with Art and Ag and will add an Adobe illustrator and a computer / beginning Microsoft, and a business class, while Pete is done with GI and Finance and gets to do P.E. and Outdoor Ed. 

Random pictures of Alice - Woke up grumpy - let's put on a turtle shell, She just HAD to try on her baptism dress, and silly photo's. 

Christmas time!

 Kendal had her Christmas piano recital on the 9th of December. She played a beautiful piece and we got to listen to a lot of talented kids that night. 

Casey's birthday was on the 11th. His main present were new Nike's that he's been wearing to games this season so he only got a few treats and a wallet for his gifts. Casey and Kendal had early morning practices so they were off before the other two were awake. I took treats to school for him and we got to celebrate him after school that day. The kids had mutual that night so we had a simple song and cake time with them, but still a good day nonetheless. I took him out to dinner a couple of days later to better celebrate just us two. Casey is the heart of our family. The kids adore him and he is amazing in so many ways. I love him so very much and feel so blessed we have each other in this crazy life we live! 

Kendal and Casey had a home game on the 12th. Kenny and Cheryl got to come see her and her team beat Filer and play a great game! 

 

After my dinner date with Casey on the 13th we went home and scooped up the kids to go see the live nativity in Twin. It's tradition, and we couldn't miss out even though our days seem busier as the years go on. We love the immersive experience and are in awe of all that they create to make it such a special event. 

On the 14th Casey was gone most of the afternoon for basketball (Kendal's team didn't play). That night while Kendal stayed at home to write a talk for church Alice, Peter and I went to a cookie decorating party at the Meidells house. The kids ate a ton of sugar and had fun with friends. 

Casey took Kendal driving the last two Sunday's. They are on a Geo Caching kick and that sets their routs when they're out for an hour or so. They've had some success and some not so lucky hits, but it's been a fun thing for them to do together while she gets her hours in. 

There was a dress up week leading up to Christmas break. Alice had her outfits planned out every day! She got to wear her Santa hat one day, reindeer day, Christmas sweater day, elf day, and pj day. Pete got to do "undercover dress up week" where the middle school students "hid" their dress ups until they showed up for school. They had pj day, dress like a teacher day, color day, famous duo day, and dress up as Santa / reigndeer or elf day. Kendal had similar days to Pete, but didn't get into it as much as the other two. I dressed up to match Alice and the Stricker crew most days and Casey just chose to be festive all week. There was one day I compared him to Scott Calvin from the Santa Claus and our teacher friend Kiz compared him to Young St. Nick. (What do you think?) 

We got a special visit from Santa on the night of the 20th. Coincidentally we were downstairs watching The Santa Claus when he showed up. Alice even plucked up the courage to say what she wanted for Christmas this year! 

Kendal had a friends Christmas party on the 21st! They exchanged gifts and had a fun night together. They watched Red One and we did as well back at home. 

Grandma and Grandpa Loosle were so awesome and got the kids a group gift this year. It was an air hockey table! They let the kids open it on Sunday the 22nd. We put it together right away and spent the rest of the day playing each other in air hockey. We love that this gift is one that will last a long time and bring us and friends together for some fun. 

We took the kids to see Moana 2 in the late afternoon on the 23rd. We enjoyed the movie and spoiled the kids with popcorn and dinner afterwards at Cafe Rio. 

Christmas Eve we cleaned up the house a bit. In between our to do's we did a family tournament with air hockey and crazy enough I came out Victor since Casey came from behind after a loss to Pete early on. That evening we went over to Brett and Vanessa's for our usual Christmas Eve tamales. The kids all had a good time hanging out together. It's a fun tradition we enjoy every year. Kenny and Cheryl joined us again for the night. We listened to the Forgotten Carols book / songs, and read Twas the Night Before Christmas before the kids gift wrapped themselves downstairs for the night. 

Pete was up really early Christmas morning, and got his sisters up in the process, but thankfully they stayed downstairs until they were supposed to come up (which was at 7). As always we listened to the nativity story with our special ornament and then got work on presents. The kids were happy that Santa came and loved the gifts they got! Alice's favorite gifts are her American Girl Doll suitcase / accessories, and the Disney Doorables. Pete loved the sports watch he got as well as his new tech Lego set. Kendal got mostly teen items and was cuddled in her new blanket all day. She also got a 3D pen that she's had fun using. Casey spoiled me and got Kamut flour while he was in SLC over Thanksgiving break, and I got him running shoes, a cooling blanket, and a shower speaker. Kenny and Cheryl got to spend the morning with us watching the kids open gifts and having breakfast together before they left to see the other grandkids' Christmases. We had a relaxing morning and early afternoon together enjoying our presents. We headed out mid afternoon to go to Logan for the rest of the week.

We got to Logan just before dinner. The kids got new scripture cases from Grandma and Grandpa as well goodies. Katherine got them new books to enjoy. David and his crew came for dinner also. We got to play the evening  away together. Thursday we hung out at the house until mid afternoon. We tried to go bowling but it was busy so we ended up at the Trampoline park for a while before we had dinner at Chick Fill A. We had a game night and Pete got to go up to Smithfield for the night with the boys. 

Friday we were able to go bowling and to the arcade at the Fun Park. We had lunch at Jack in the Box and spent the afternoon at my parents house. We played games and watched shows. Alice had a bit too much screen time and ended up with a massive headache that night. So the older two and Casey went up to Davids house for fun with the boys while Alice napped off her headache. 

Saturday we hung out again. Andy, Kim, and Campbell came around and the older kids cooked up stuff for the Loosle party that night. We got to go see Tony and Lisa get married that afternoon. It was a sudden decision in the last two weeks, but we are thrilled that they got married! Alice got to see Maggie and they fell into their usual silly / cute selves together for the rest of the evening. We went out to Kelly's house for the Loosle party and had a good time seeing extended family (some that I rarely get to see and miss and love so much so much). 

 

Sunday morning we gave our goodbye's and headed to Raft River for the day. I didn't feel good at all, but it is what it is. The kids had an amazing afternoon / evening playing together. We had our annual gift exchange and cereal story time. We got to Skype with Cody, Mia, and their awesome kids. It was a bit chaotic to try and talk but still so good to see them. We played bingo as well before dinner. We look forward to family time and are grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives! 

Just some extra pics!