Hey guys, Kennedy here!!!! Sorry about not keeping up to-date on the whole blog-thing, Mom kinda forgot about it (oops =-0). So I am not sure what exactly we did all last year, but I will update ya'll on what is happening right now. Today I have my first volleyball game-we are the Hawkeyes! Holden has his first flag football game, too-he is on the Texas Longhorns! Then after the games we are going to go to the Harlem Globetrotters at Wells Fargo Arena! Hope it is fun and I hope we win our games, since we will miss the ends of tham!
Well ttyl!!!
~Kennedy~

Well as you can see, I am not very good atbout keeping up to date. Sorry about that. I will have to try and do this weekly, as so much happens around here, it takes a while when I wait this long.

The school year was a blur. We made to Phoenix again for Christmas and had a wonderful time. The kids were pretty bummed that the Aussie crew wasn't around, but we managed to have a good time. We took in the Zoo lights this year and had Christmas Eve at Brian and Kari's. All in all a great trip.

Spring break took us to the condo. This was the first time since November of 1995, yes 1995, that we have been out. The kids were so psyched to go skiing and they did a fabulous job. Weather was super! Record snowfall and Copper was fantastic. We have made it a goal to head out at least once a year from now on, hopefully more.

My mom and I made trip to San Diego in March to see my great uncle Bill. He is 88 and living alone. We had a wonderful visit and hope to make it back out in July with the kids. In April Alan made a surprise visit back to Phoenix for Marylyn's 75th birthday. They had a lovely visit.

April also brought the start of softball. this was Kennedy's second year and she continues to enjoy the game. It was a little frustrating at the beginning of the season, as we didn't exactly have a winning streak going. They ended the season coming in second. Overall they had a good year and she gained more skills as a player.

Holden decided baseball wasn't for him this year, and secretly I was glad. The league is a little too politically correct for me. Sorry but I don't think you pitch to a kid until he hits the ball. I believe the rules are three strikes your out., Three outs, your done. Games were lasting an hour + and it was we never made it out of the 1st inning. Anyway, Holden was bored and decided to give golf a go. So far he loves it and Alan says he is doing super! Watch out Tiger.

Well summer has begun. We had one week of no action, then camps began. Kennedy started out with Basketball camp at school. Then we moved onto to All-City Band Camp, which lasts for two weeks. We have one week down and one to go. While Kennedy was at band camp, Holden went to Drake Basketball Camp, which he absolutely loves! Needless to say this past week has been drop one off, pickup the other. I haven't seen much of anything but the inside of my van.

Next week doesn't get any better. Band camp during the day Vacation Bible School at night. Since Kennedy has moved into the Jr. High at church, (yes Jr. High augh!) she will be helping this year. She is very excited. She and some of her friends are working in the preschool room. Let's see if her recent babysirtting course paid off!
The last week of June Kennedy will be at Living History Farm. She continues to have this as numero uno ont he camp list.

Brian arrived today, as he is in town for his 25th class reunion. I haven't seen him yet, as we missed each other while I was picking up kids. Alan played today in the Annual City Tournament and shot an 80. He was very please with his results. Go Alan!

Well dinner calls. I will post more later as my sister-in-law was checking in and I didn't have anything new to read! Sorry Tam.

Hello everyone and welcome to our blog! This is our new online journal to keep everyone informed about family happenings, new photos and just fun stuff!

Our summer was full of all kinds of fun and wonderful adventures. Kennedy went to an equestrian camp this year and fell in love with her horse Loretta. She also attended Living History Farm camp which continues to be her number 1 choice of camps to attend every year. Holden also went to Living History Farm camp which he loves as well. He also attended the Drake University Basketball camp for the first time. It was a week long camp put on by the coaches and players. They did drills, split up into teams and even had a play off on the last day. He was awarded Free Throw champ for his division and was very proud of the trophy he earned. They also both attended Scout camp with Alan and I along for each one. It was quite an experience.

As a family we took a trip to my aunt and uncle's cabin on Lake Michigan, in the Indian Dunes. It was a fantastic week and the kids really enjoyed seeing and playing with their cousins. We all took turns venturing out in my uncles kayak, and Kennedy even tried it alone. My uncle Steve also took her out on his little sunfish sailboat and she loved it. My aunt fixed fabio meals for us eveynight and it was wonderful to just relax and hang out with family. The kids love the water and the sand and it was sad to come home. Thanks Sherry and Steve!

We made our annual summer trip to Adventurland one Saturday in late July. We all had tons of fun and I even rode a roller coaster this year with Kennedy. She is quite the little dare devil and is up for just about any ride you can think of. Unlike Holden who gets motion sick when it comes to rides. But still manages to love every minute of it.

We also enjoyed a visit from Brian, Kari and Kelsey in August. They arrived around fair time so we had lots of fun showing Kari what Iowa was all about..deep fried anything! We ate tons of corn on the cob and loved having them around.

As some of you may or may not know I am now a Board Member at Iowa Christian Academy where our children attend. These past few weeks have been a little crazy as we complete our State of Iowa Board of Education Site visit to insure we keep our State accreditation.

In addition to the Board, I volunteer in the lunch room at school 2-3 times a month, am homeroom mom to Holden's class, treasurer for Holden's Scout Pack, have a booth at the Brass Armadillo antique mall, and am taking a Metals class (which I love!) at the Art Center once a week. Other than that I don't have much going on. :)

Alan continues to work hard at his ever growing business and is doing lots of traveling from the eastern portion of Iowa, Davenport and surrounding, to eastern Nebraska, Omaha area. We are so very proud of him for taking that leap of faith and relying on God and not ourselves. He sings at church once or twice a month and really enjoys serving on the praise team.

Kennedy is in 5th grade (augh!) and taking beginner band this year playing alto sax and loving it! She is doing quite well and we have enjoyed hearing an instrument in the house. We just had conferences on Friday and still don't know why we bother to show up. She continues to get straight A's, is very complacent and gets along with everyone. She starts basketball in 2 weeks with Alan and another father as her coaches. This should be a good year as they have five 5th and five 6th graders on the team. All girls who have played for the past 2-3 years. It is always lots of fun.

Holden is in 2nd grade this year and is a wonderful student like his sister. He got all E's, and is in the top reading group in his class. Overall is a hard worker and loves school. He lost is first 2 teeth this summer and is anxious to lose some more. He is friends with everyone, boys and girls, and has quite a social calendar. He continues to be involved in Cub Scouts and will start basketball in January.

Well for the second year we were unable to take our trip to Florida because of hurricanes. It is a much anticipated trip that we have taken for the past nine years and were very bummed it didn't happen. Kennedy was especially disappointed. She loves the water and loves to spend time with her daddy. We hope next year is better.

We hope you will add our little blog to your favorites and we will try and keep everyone up to date on events or just fun stuff! The kids are excited to sit down and blog to their little hearts content! (As long as homework is done.)

Tata for now - Shelby