2019-2020

This school year brings lots of change.  The kids are in separate buildings, on different schedules and Liv is going to middle school!  These days are just going way too fast. :(  Liv will be getting herself on the bus in the morning as school doesn't start till 8:45a.  Her day will be much longer, too.  She probably won't be home until 4:15p (last year she was home by 2:20).  I'm excited to see what she thinks of 6th grade!

Drew will begin 4th grade in Mrs. Downend's class.  He was lucky to get his best buddy, Ryan, in class again.  He also found out at back-to-school night that they sit right next to each other in class. :)  While neither of the kids sprung out of bed with excitement, I think they were both ready.  Praying for another great year!

Splash Pad Fun

Alissa, Violet, Eloise and Calvin joined us at the Riley Park splash pad yesterday.  It was a great way to end our summer break.  Violet loved the time with the kids and Calvin was the sweetest guy.  I enjoyed snuggling him while the kids played. :)  We always miss our old neighbors, but it makes us appreciate our time together so much more.

Sweetwater Lake

We spent some time with the Espich's on Sunday at Sweetwater Lake.   I think the kids could get use to lake life. :)

Friends Weekend

We spent Saturday with Brad's high school buddies in Logansport.  Mike and Jess hosted all of our families since we haven't been together in years.  It was great to catch up and watch the kids play.  Along with the Shannon's, Craig and Tessa joined us as we floated down the Eel River to Mike's house.  It took almost four hours, but we had so much fun.  You can see from the pics how much the guys have changed and how their families have grown.

Before...

This is a picture of a picture, but you get the idea.  I'm not sure what year this was exactly, but it was well before anyone had kids.  

After

We've grown from 5 to 19!

Back To School Shopping

Aunt Leslie and Mamaw joined us for some back to school shopping last week.  Leslie continued the tradition of buying the kids new shoes.  Alivia found some Vans at Von Maur and Drew found Nike tennis shoes at Macy's.  They were both thrilled!  Mamaw bought them their first day of school outfit and a few extra clothes, too.  These two made out pretty well.  Thanks for spoiling them!

Drew was entertaining us while Liv tried on clothes. :)

Ouch!

Sometimes we learn the hard way. Drew was playing in a baseball tournament last weekend and tried to lay down a bunt.  Unfortunately the ball popped off the bat and hit his chin and busted his lip.  Once he wiped the blood away, Brad told him how to correct it and he went on to get a hit.  Brad had him bunt again later in the game and he put one down perfectly for a single.  He really didn't complain after the game, but was a little banged up the next day.  A swollen lip, bruise and baseball seam marks on the chin show how hard he plays.  He truly loves the game!

New Wheels!

Brad has done lots of research and we've been to several bike shops in Indy, but today was the day we finally made the purchase.  As a family, we enjoy going for decent bike rides and the kids have just simply outgrown their current bikes.  When we started looking back, we realized Alivia's was bought in 2014 and Drew's in 2015.  Both were used and purchased off of Craig's List, so we got great use out of them.  It was a big decision when determining what to buy and how much to spend.  Brad and I agreed to pay a certain amount and with some added birthday money from Mamaw and Aunt Leslie, the kids only needed to spend a little bit of their own.  They came away with bikes that should last years.  We brought them home, took them off the bike rack and immediately went for a ride.  The only problem is the kids are now faster than mom and dad.  I was exhausted trying to keep up!

Let Freedom Ring

It was our 6th year to celebrate the 4th of July at the Indians game downtown.  Check out each year to see how the kids have grown! 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018  Although it was hot, we were in the shade from the start of the game.  Thanks to Adam for snagging us tickets early and getting great seats.  We sat in the 1st and 2nd rows of the balcony, giving us the perfect view for the game and fireworks.  The Indians didn't win, but it was a game with lots of action.  They got beat 7-6.  Happy Independence Day!