Andrew – The Lieslands

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.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

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. . .

Cross Country Runners

They are never all running in the same meet this year, so we had to get a picture or Andrew, Mari, and Elliot before they left the house on meet day.

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.

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.

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.

Red Rock Open Space in the foreground, with Garden of the Gods in the background.

Valley XC Meet

First Cross Country Race

Today was the first Cross Country race for Andrew and Mari. Cross Country and Soccer have been lifesavers during the pandemic because they are all outside and it gives the kids a chance to exercise and see their friends. Mari, Andrew, and Elliot are all running this year. Elliot’s first meet isn’t for a couple of weeks.

Category: Andrew