February into March

I'm playing catch up a bit. . . 

Casey went to state Basketball Feb 19th -21st. The girls lost their first game on Thursday, but ended up winning Friday and Saturday to come away with the consolation trophy! Casey was apart of practices leading up to State and helping out where he could. He does a lot for the teams and I'm grateful he's able to do that. (I'm just grateful he's back / mine for a few weeks until track starts ; ).

We went to a couple of Filer vs Kimberly (boys) games on the 18th and on the the 25th. The game on the 18th was over at CSI and we took Alice who got to play with Jemma during the game. Kimberly ended up pulling out the win that night. It felt so weird to sit among the Filer people to cheer on Bryker though. Casey and I went to the last game hosted at Kimberly the next week where Filer ended up smashing Kimberly so they could go to State for basketball. 

Brett and Vanessa's kids were in the Newsie's play that the high school put on. Kendal and Pete went opening night and we went as a family on the last night's show to see Naomi, James, and Thomas, join David (since they weren't in every performance). The play was so well done and we have some very talented nephews / nice. 

Kendal got to go up to Boise to participate in State BPA this last week from the 2nd to the 4th. Her word processing event was on Monday so she was done early on. She feels she did well, but didn't quite make the top 10. Kendal had to stick with her roommate so she was stuck in the Hotel doing homework and working out on Tuesday instead of going to workshops / talks. They had stuff as a whole group on Wednesday and got home late afternoon. Kendal has had a good experience with BPA this year. She's on the fence about continuing next year since it overlaps with HOSA. 

 

 

Alice started swim lessons this last week. She's working hard to get some of her skills down better and getting some endurance in with breathing and lengths she'll swim to. Casey stayed and continued to work on her skills after her lesson on Thursday. Alice also had activity days this last week where they learned about and planted plants, then decorated and hid eggs in the leaders yard. She also got to go to Ava's birthday party yesterday. It was a wizard of oz party for Ava, and she had a great time!

  

Pete has been joining the high school boys distance group this last week with Austin. It's such a good group of boys and they're great to pull in Pete and Austin in this. His / Casey's season starts on the 16th, so it's good he's getting in some good practice leading up to it. Pete joined his friends at a Cool to Care event in Twin yesterday evening.

(first two pictures - is what it looks like when you tell two 13 yr olds to go run and they're not in the mood ; ) It's a good thing they've got High School kids to pull them into their practices now.) 

 

Starting out February.

 Kendal and Pete had a kick off fireside for Trek on the first. Pete was part of the youth choir that night. Kendal was the chorister for the event. Both kids are excited for Trek, but not super into wearing pioneer clothes or fitting everything into buckets to last the few days they're gone. I know they'll do well and have a wonderful time nonetheless.

Girls Varsity played well and came out first in districts these last two weeks. Casey will head off to State this week with the team. 

We got to head to Logan for a couple of days the first weekend of the month. We met up with David's crew and my Mom and Katherine at Culvers before setting up for the baptism and then watching the opening ceremonies at my parents house. The baptism was Saturday morning, short and sweet. Kendal got to play the piano for it and we had a good time celebrating Isaac. After the baptism we ate a brunch and the kids played around the church for a bit. Later in the afternoon we went up to David's for dinner, games, and play time with the kids. We stayed into Sunday and went to church with my parents, had a nice dinner together before going home. Casey watched the super bowl game on his phone on the way home and then we finished at home. (I can't believe I didn't get a picture - maybe I'll glean one from Anica later).

The middle school boys finished up their basketball season as well this past week Pete may not have loved being a manager for the team, but he totally gave his best efforts for the team and Coach. Casey's got Pete on a winter track schedule until his season starts in March. Pete had an ortho appointment last week and is stuck with bands for the next few months. He's miserable, but sticking with it. Pete went to Mr. KHS Friday with the Dansie's. He had a great time and spent the night laughing away. He also got to go to his friends Teagan's birthday party over the weekend. They shot off rockets and had some fun together. 

Alice got to have a Valiant Days activity the first Friday of the month. She loves her group and leaders. Alice had her class party this past week for Valentines day. She was so into making her Valentine's box and had it made at least a week early. I love that she's still so crafty and creative. 

Kendal has been doing winter track, but chose not to do the meets this year because of BPA and HOSA. She's had some pain in her feet recently so we took her to the podiatrist last week. She was given steroids for some nerve pain and told to run a bit less for a couple of weeks. Kendal has been working at all of the home games for the Middle school. Mostly taking tickets, but she did have to stick it out and stay the whole time doing shot clock for the last game. 

I was in charge of a school dance on the 12th. It was crazy (and messy with popcorn), but the students that went had fun. The day was even longer because we had parent teacher conferences that night. We got to go from that to a four day weekend! Friday was just cleaning house then Casey and I got in a date night. Kendal, Alycin, and Alice bedazzled books while Pete was at Mr. KHS. Valentines day was an easy going day with treats all around and some friend time for the kids. We had church on Sunday and had a crazy nice weather walk / roller blade outing yesterday. We had the kids loop around the parking lot at Stricker in "races" as well. Today I took Alice and Pete to swim with the Dansie's while Kendal was out shopping with Alycin. Great weather weekend going into a wet / frosty week, but it is winter after all. 

 

 

Extra pictures (apparently I'm getting more random and less intentional as the kids get older, I need to do better). 

1- Casey took a picture of me making his special Valentine's treat. proving I get pictures once in a while ; )

2 - Pete had a "cross training" day on his running plan so I made him so just dance with his sister. 

3/4 - cuties in my space

5 - had to document Alice's freckles. I love them! 

January

 We've been back into the swing of school and life since coming back from Christmas break. Casey had three games the first week we got back from break and a couple the second. His team has pulled out a couple of wins during that time. He finished off the month and his season with three more games and won two of them! It was definitely one of his toughest years of coaching with only 6 girls and 2 borrowed for some of the season. He had sick and broken girls quite often this year and a lot of losses, but he did his best for the team. JV had their tournament yesterday and pulled out second place. He's got two weeks of districts and then State in a few weeks.  

Kendal is no longer a library aid or taking piano seminar. This Semester she gets to be in Photoshop and Greenhouse. She's happy with both classes and looks forward to what she gets to do. She does have the stress of a 50 hr ag project looming over her time this quarter, but she'll figure it out. Kendal's first BPA event was on 19th. She had to do an impromptu speach and a word / document event. Her topic (chosen right before) was about public speaking helps in life. She said it was hard to collect her thoughts and she felt scattered, but overall scored well. She took first in the word / document event and that launches her to State!! That same week she had to go take a test for her HOSA club on physical therapy. She spent a day at CSI this past week to do the in person physical test. She had to perform skills that a physical therapist would do. She took second in the event (out of two) but doesn't really know her score or how she did in comparison to others since they had to pull in a last min. judge and the whole thing seemed to be patched together. Even with all of this Kendal finds time to run winter track after school most days and keep up with her school work as usual. I've also volunteered Kendal to take tickets and do the score board this season for the Middle school to make a bit of money here and there. She honestly doesn't like doing it, but is thankfully willing and it doesn't hurt to earn some money along the way. 

Pete is taking PE this Semester and got out of a class by being Casey's aid for the rest of the year as well. He finished out his first Semester with all A's and were proud of his effort and hard work this year to make his grades better. Pete is kind of whatever about being a basketball manager this season. Despite the chill attitude Pete does well takes stats for each game and is doing a great job helping out and doing what's needed for the Coach and team. Pete had another cares event with friends in twin a couple of weeks ago. They had a movie night and made resolutions / talked about their accomplishments this past year. Pete got set apart as a Teacher this month. Watching him grow up and progress in his priesthood responsibilities had been so neat to watch. He is such a willing and happy / helpful young man. We are proud of his choices and the good young man he is becoming. Pete was asked to be the Secretary for the Teachers and was set apart today. (That makes Kendal, Pete, and I Secretaries for our callings. : )

Alice gets to start honors reader at school to finish out the school year. She got to have her first Valiant Activity Days this last week getting to know the new girls in their group and making goals for this year. Alice had a wonderful birthday which I wrote about in the last post. She has been in a birthday mindset for the whole month with decorations and obsessing about her party, the food, and the fun. I love her enthusiasm for celebrations and her party! Alice got to have a birthday party on the 23rd! She had a bunch of friends over for games and a movie night. It was such a fun time with a cute group of girls. Alice has been doing well in piano and we'll continue to work on skills and lessons with her this year. I'm hoping to put her in Winter swim lessons this coming month. We got some snow this month and Alice was more than happy to shovel with me, and get a snow angel in before it went away! 

 

A few extra pictures this month! Recess shenanigans that Shaylah caught at school. Sometimes they don't fight, but can handle life with each other. Pete is our Mango King! 

Alice is 9!

Alice turned 9 this past week! We are so lucky and blessed to have this sweet little lady in our lives. Alice is a sweetheart and a joy. At nine she loves to create and sings all the time. She's slowly coming out of her shell, but still isn't fully comfortable with adults and talking to others. Alice is doing well in school this year. She's doing well and is going to start working on an Honors Reader for school. She's "casually' taking piano lessons with me this year. It's a slow progression, but she's actually picking up a lot. She still loves to steal a phone and take pictures and watch videos when possible. 

Alice's 9 favorite things /things about her that I put on her card this year. - She has a loving heart - She loves music and to sing - She loves her doll and Barbies - Alice loves art and being creative - Alice's number one food is still noodles - Alice is a girly girl and loves to dress up, be fancy, and wear makeup / jewelry - Alice still likes unicorns and all things cute - Alice loves reading and her favorite books this year are dragon girls, and unicorn academy - Alice loves her fluffy friends, from a new little bunny she got for her birthday to her beloved animals she's had for years she loves being warm and cuddly. She loves all of the holidays and wishes I would decorate and do more for them, she's always happy to add her own crafted decorations to each holiday and helps us be more festive all year long! 

Alice at age 9:

Favorite color : Pink                Favorite activity: art            Favorite food: noodles    

Favorite animal: unicorn          Favorite Holiday: Christmas        Favorite thing about school: lunch

 Favorite song: Golden (k-pop d. .  . she's fallen in love with that show and songs this past year.)

Favorite book: Dragon Girls    When I grow up: "artist"

Nickname: Little Lady and Shortcake 

Alice got to open presents early before school on her birthday. She made sure to wear her princess jammies and the crown she got in primary. She got to have waffles with a candle as we sang and sprinkles on top. Afterwards she opened presents. She got new roller blades and a helmet, she also got a horse for her doll, bath bombs, and a new alarm clock. She got a bunny and Lego figures from Grandma and Grandpa Loosle, and a new outfit for her doll from Aunt Katherine. Grandma D came this weekend with a card and money to spend on something special for herself and then took her out to see Jemma's basketball game and bought her a doughnut. The family was a bit scattered after school on Alice's birthday so we had her favorite (spaghetti) noodles for dinner before the girls and I headed to cold stone for some birthday ice cream! Casey was gone for away games and Pete was at basketball practice that night. We went out as a family the next evening to Pizza Pie cafe to celebrate her some more and she chose a birthday party with friends that we'll host this coming week. 

We love our little caboose so very much and can't imagine life without her. She is special and wonderful in so many ways!