Jillian's first Turkey

 

Jillian shot her first turkey.  Right near the house.  We see them everywhere all the time, but when it comes to trying to bag one they are very elusive!  She was excited and Will was VERY excited!

YHS Track 2015

 

 Lauren was given the opportunity to move up and run with the Varsity Track team in late February.  She had a good season.  She spent most of it trying to improve her mile time.  She really wanted to qualify for state in the 1 mile.  She needed 5:35 to qualify.  She was within 1 second of that time on 3 separate race days.  She was pretty frustrated to say the least.   However, all in all it was a great season where many great memories were made.  She got to run on the SDSU indoor track as well as the USD indoor track.  And she was selected as the first alternate for the State meet so was able to travel with the team to Rapid City. She is looking forward to many more track meets!

 

She gets pretty nervous before the races.  Can you tell?

Easter 2015

 I still love to set a beautiful table for a special meal

 

 Easter baskets!

 

 Off to church!

 

 Uncle Jordan home for the holiday

 Preparing for the Easter Egg Hunt

 

 Ready, set, GO!

 

 A motley crew!

 

 3 Generations!

 

Ending a day of non-stop eating with a few side planks!

Winter 2015 happenings

 Yankton Children's Choir Concert

 Lincoln School Winter Concert- both kids had a speaking part!

 

 Piano Contest.  All 3 girls awarded blue ribbons!

 

 One of many traveling basketball tournaments with Lauren's team the Zelle's and Jillian's team the Sparkx.  Lots of good times with friends! 

 

Jillian and her teammates after a runner-up finish

 Jillian and her friends the morning after a Sparkx sleepover.  They serenaded Owen that morning for his 7th birthday.

 

Toby and Ruby.  They are good buddies!

Winter birthdays

We had our annual 3 generation birthday party in January.  My dad and I celebrated with a gourmet cake from a bakery in Mitchell and Jillian and Owen had Éclair dessert.  Jillian got an Ipad mini so she was pretty excited! Owen turned 7 and Jillian turned 11.

Christmas 2014 -Part 3

 

 The next day we left for our next celebration with my family in Mitchell.  Can you guess who is at the bottom of this pile of kids?  YUP,  Uncle Jo Jo!!!

Paul and Darlene as well as Jay and Natalie's family joined us for the day.  My Grandma Lilly was also with us.  We had a great day of food, presents, relaxing and of course our annual $5 gift exchange. 

 

 These pictures with the kids and their great grandma Lily are priceless.  Take note of the palm tree in the background.  My brother and I got that for our parents campsite this summer! We decided to set it up and enjoy it.  It gave my parents front door area a very dorm like feeling :)  Looking forward to sitting around it this summer at the campsite.

Enjoying a little Yahtzee with Grandpa Pat.

Christmas 2014- Part 2

 

 On Christmas Eve we headed to Sioux Falls to Paul and Darlene's.  We had a wonderful meal prepared by Darlene and then went to church.  This was our first year celebrating in Grandma and Grandpa's new house!

 

 The girls always prepare lots of Christmas piano music leading up to the holidays.  This year we brought our portable keyboard with us so they could provide a little pre gift entertainment.  They had a wonderful concert planned and prepared for all of us to enjoy. 

 

 We all enjoy a good puzzle and this year we even finished it!

 

Grandpa Paul, Grandma Darlene and the all the grandkids!

 

We had all of Paul's old Cardinals t-shirts made into a quilt for him.

 

We ended the night as we always do with a birthday party fit for a king!  Oh wait, the party was for a king!!  Happy birthday Jesus!!