Category: Andrew

3 Car Family

Feeling the pinch with all the kids’ activities ramping up this spring, we decided it is time to invest in a third car. Andrew is paying for part of it and he will be the primary driver.

On the lot
Andrew driving

Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Andrew and Lucia’s birthdays! Mimi, Papa, and the Reagens came over for walking tacos, with optional skyline taco meat, presents, and cake. With the nice weather we are still hosting outside when possible.

Birthday cakes, which were delicious. It was a bit windy outside so Andrew and Lucia were stationed just inside the house.
Andrew and Lucia’s view
The guests of honor

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Picture from the future. . .

The party is planned for tomorrow, but today we had a simple celebration for Andrew’s birthday. Susan bought some cupcakes for us to enjoy for a light dessert before heading to Pumpkinville.

Let’s see. . . Andrew at 17. . .

  • Sleeps as late as possible, which is not usually very late because he usually has to get up for school or cross country. On Sundays he will sleep until 11.
  • Eats normal things.
  • Runs cross country.
  • Wants to work at Target when the cross country season is over.
  • Refs soccer.
  • Is doing online school this semester, which has him in front of the computer most of the day.
  • Has more homework than ever.
  • Is starting to think about where to go to college.
  • Usually goes to bed between 11 and midnight, unless he can sleep in the next day, in which case he will stay up until 1 or 2.

Favorite song:  none
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite food:  Chicken Nuggets
Favorite band:  none
Favorite book: none
Favorite sport: XC
Favorite movie: none
Favorite Subject: Computer Science

Pumpkinville

It is not very often that I post without pictures, but tonight we went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze in Mitchellville, just outside of Des Moines, and had a great time. We are celebrating Andrew’s birthday tomorrow night and we were looking for something to do on his actual birthday. The Reagens recommended the corn maze and we all met up just before the entrance closed at 8. We spent a little over an hour in the maze before sitting around a fire until a little after 10. When our cars were the last ones in the lot we felt it was probably time to leave. The funniest thing is that the boys group, Andrew, Ian, Cameron, and Elliot, spent a long time doing the corn maze blindfolded. It was a challenge under normal conditions and I am not sure how they did it.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Andrew! More to come on that. . .

Colorado Trip

My uncle Tom, who lives in Colorado Springs, has not been doing well. His mental and physical health have been declining and I had the opportunity to go visit with him for a few days at the end of last week. Susan stayed home on kid duty and I spent my days visiting with Tom, making time for a hike each day.

Susan playing at the creek with the kids.
Lucia chasing after Elliot.
I camped in Colorado. It felt like our RV trip to pull into the campground after dark and have to find my spot.
The view from my office. I worked on Eastern Time, so I had a couple of hours each day to get some work done before heading in to visit with Tom. I was fortunate that the weather was still warm.
My first good view of the mountains.
Uncle Tom, resting
Tom liked to hold hands and one of my primary responsibilities when I was there was to make sure I was available for that.
Meanwhile, life went on at home and Susan had to get all of the kids to their activities. here, Andrew is running in a XC meet , maybe at Southeast Polk.
My first hike in Colorado Springs was to Garden of the Gods. I tried to stay pretty close to town.
Susan also had to get up early with Oreo, who insists on waking us just a little earlier than we would like.
During this time, Mari also submitted her application to work at Coldstone Creamery. With soccer and XC winding down she will have more free time, and she is saving up for a new phone.
Soccer fans.
Red Rock Open Space in the foreground, with Garden of the Gods in the background.
Susan and the kids enjoying a fire.