KSU Game Day(s)

We don't often get to go to the KSU Football games due to Keenan's football, Kira's soccer and Joe coaching.  This year the kids have been able to make several games with my sister, Tamie.  We also had our annual sisters' weekend which always involves attending a KSU game.

 



Keylee is 8!

Keylee turned 8 years old.  She loves playing guitar, dancing and playing tennis.  She also loves to read and seems to have a real interest in makeup and fashion. I cannot believe how quickly time flies.  It seems like yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital and in the blink of an eye she is 8!

Fall Happenings

A few new things and some same ol' things have been going on around our house. 

Same ol' Same ol'

The same ol' would be Kira's soccer with RKU.  She has been playing with the same group of girls now for several years.  Soccer is really her true love despite how much I try to convince her it should be tennis. 



 

 Keenan played Football with the same team he played with last year.  It is a really neat group of kids and Keenan really loved playing. The Indians fell short in the semi-final game of the playoffs losing a heartbreaker 21-20.   I love hearing Keenan  replay the games in the car on the way home because often times it sounds nothing like the game I sat and watched. Haha.  I guess it is a matter of perspective.

 
Keylee is always Keenan's biggest fan, right next to my parents. 


The New Things:

On October 10, 2015, Joe was inducted into the Washburn Athletics Hall of Fame. Leading up to the day, Joe and I took several trips down memory lane.  It seems like yesterday when we were both student athletes at Washburn.  We are very proud of him, it is a much deserved honor.  He had family, friends and teammates travel from all over to be with him on his special day. 

In September, my sister Tamie  had the Dodge City High School courts dedicated to her.  The courts are now "Preston Courts."  Tennis has always been such a huge part of our family.  The day of the dedication was extra special as we were able to stand with Tamie during the dedication ceremony.  My sister played at DCHS, played at KSU, then returned to Dodge City to coach tennis for many years before taking on roles as the Athletic Director and now Activities Director which allows her to continue be involved with the DCHS tennis programs.   My sister will be retiring in June 2016 but, there is not doubt, she will still be a DCHS tennis fan and follower.

First Day of School 2015-2016

I am going to try and keep up with my blog this year.  Until last year, I always printed the blog into a book for the kids to have someday.  They will be missing pictures from their last school year and this past summer.  Maybe I will get up enough energy to go and do some "back posting."  But, if I don't at least they will have this post to explain why they don't have any pictures or commentary from last year. This year, I vow to do better for them so in the years to come they will have a book to look back on.

The kids started school last week on 8/18/2015. Kira is in 8th grade, Keenan in 5th grade and Keylee in 2nd grade.  So far, they are off to a great start. I am excited to see what the year brings for each of them and hopefully some are excited to see if I document any of it :)

Catching Up - Part 2



 

Kira continues to play tennis a few days a week at our local tennis club and she has played a few more tournaments this summer than she did last summer and has shown great improvement and has had some success.  Tournament weather has been hot but she has worked hard and battled through the heat. 

 

 Keenan played summer baseball with The Force which is the same team he has played on the past several years. 

 Joe is the keeper of Keylee's Barbies during the games when she is busy running around with friends.

 Keenan's black eye is the result of a bad hop. The ball hit a rock and bounced right into Keenan's eye.  He didn't cry at all and he seemed to like the attention when everyone would tell him how tough he looked. 

 In May I ran the Lincoln Half Marathon with some running friends.  It was a fun race that ended in the University of Nebraska Stadium.

Playing Catch Up Part 1 - Big Cedar Easter 2014

We spent Easter at Big Cedar Lodge.  It is one of my favorite places to go.  We have so many memories there as we have been going to Big Cedar for many years with my parents.  The weather was great this year.  The last time we were there for Easter it rained the entire time and the egg hunt was indoors.  This year, the kids had their egg hunt outside and were even able to swim outside.  

 The kids decorated cookies to leave out for the Easter Bunny.  

 Even my parents stopped for a photo-op with the Easter Bunny

 Keylee found the "golden egg."  She actually found two of the ten that were hidden and she tried to give one to another child but he walked away totally ignoring her.  We decided to keep both and give one to Kira since she had to miss the egg hunt since she arrived later after her State History Day Competition.

 I really love their workout room.  The treadmill has a TV on the screen and the treadmill faces the windows looking out over the lake and cabins.  It is really pretty and makes for a nice scenic run even being indoors.

St. Louis Running Weekend

April 6th Tanna, Angela and I traveled to St. Louis for the Go 1/2 Marathon. We had a great weekend.  After arriving on Friday night we hit the Expo and then Pi Pizzeria.  Saturday morning we went to Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and then gave ourselves an informal tour.  It was a beautiful church.

We had our pre-race dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and we ordered our "usual" and yes, we were dressed matchy-matchy.

The race route was great. We ran through downtown. 

 Finished!

I tried to keep an eye on the guy at the start line with no shoes but lost him shortly after the start.  I cannot imagine running 13.1 with no shoes.  I am not sure if he made it or not.