43 is Finally on the Wall

Scott's high school displays photos of all athletes who received All-State honors. During a school tour a few years ago Scott realized his picture wasn't on the wall. We also knew his last name was misspelled in the database that housed the state athletics information. So I decided to get it all straightened out. In November of 2019, I contacted the Des Moines Register to try to get his name updated in the database. After several months I was able to get that corrected. Then I reached out to Washington high school. Then COVID hit and then the Derecho. In late 2021 I reached out again to see how we could get this done. The school's athletic director was very responsive and once I was able to track down a copy of his original All-State photo the school got his photo in the right place on the wall! We surprised Scott with this while we were in Cedar Rapids at one of Evy's basketball games. Mission accomplished!

 

Junior High Basketball

 Junior High basketball has come to an end. It was a fun season for Evy and her team. Their team did not have a lot of experience compared to other schools in the area but they managed to get a couple of wins and improve a lot. They all hustle and work hard. It was fun to see Evy's club basketball team families and play against her club teammates. 

Battling it out with her Lady Bears teammate, Lyla. 

Last game of the year at McKinley middle school in Cedar Rapids. 

It's fun when you have friends on the same team!

NWJH A Team

Christmas

We kicked winter break off with some bowling. The kids programmed it so that they all got to use bumpers and I didn't. Cheaters.

Christmas Eve. Ready for santa!

Will got a Hot Wheels track and a bow and arrow.

Evy got some Jordans!

Charlie got a desk and chair.

On December 26 we hosted the Cornish clan at our house.

Then, over New Years we celebrated with the Syfert crew.

The girls went to Wapsie winter camp for 2 nights so I took Will and his buddy M.J. to the trampoline park and to the Pizza Ranch arcade.

 

Things

 All the things that keep us busy.

Evy had fun at Kathryn's birthday party.

Charlie and her team at their dance winter party.

Scott enjoyed another year of deer hunting.

The parents actually snuck out for an adult-only gathering.

I had so much fun going to dinner with these 3 and Lila's mom.

Will got a very nice note from his teacher!

Charlie got to spend the night at a hotel for Lily's birthday party.

Thanksgiving 2021

We spent Thanksgiving day at Scott's parent's house. Charlie had my phone all day so only very random video evidence exists. Over the weekend we went to see my parents where we participated in all kinds of random entertainment. 

And then we got COVID-19

Ugh. Both Scott and I were fully vaccinated in the spring and were coming up on 6 months since our 2nd shot. Evy was fully vaccinated over the summer and Will and Charlie were scheduled for their first shots the following week. On Monday 11/1 I developed cold-like symptoms, by Wednesday afternoon fatigue set in and on Thursday 11/4 I suddenly lost all taste and smell. Yikes. I took and dropped off and PCR test and my results came back as POSITIVE on Friday. Following my positive test, we had the rest of the family tested and both Will and Charlie came back positive as well although they didn't have or ever develop a single symptom. I felt pretty horrible for 4 days and quarantined in my bedroom. The kids were required to quarantine for 10 days before returning to school so we completed 10 days of online school. We tested Evy daily with home tests and she continued to go to school. It took 6 weeks for me to regain any taste or smell and even then it was only about 80% as good as prior to having COVID. 

 

All Things Halloween

We kicked the season off with forced family fun at the local pumpkin patch. 

The kids did so much better with pumpkin carving this year - they actually managed most of it. Evy did her entire pumpkin on her own. 

On Halloween night the kids split 3 ways. Evy and her group of pirates did their own thing - hitting up a few houses for candy before heading back to our house. Charlie and her crew went the distance and even had a candy swap at the end of the night. Scott and I tagged along with Will and his friend Alex. It was a great night!