Ear Plugs Please

Madelyn has decided to give band a whirl. Her dad and I encouraged her to be in band but let her know that if she starts this year we want her to play through at least the eighth grade. She had to do some pondering before she was willing to commit. Once she committed then she had to decide what instrument she wanted to play. First it was the trombone, but then when trying out different instruments in class she discovered that she was pretty good at flute, but her final decision was the trumpet. Thankfully we found a great deal for a gently used trumpet on Craigslist and didn't have to spend $900 for a new one. If it makes it through the first year we definitely got our moneys worth.

Now where are those ear plugs??

Another Catch Up....

 Madelyn celebrated her 10th birthday with friends at the skating rink. She requested a 50s them and dressed as a Pink Lady.

 A successful Softball season, and I helped coach. It was a lot of fun and I didn't make any girls cry, amazingly. We took second in the end of year tournament, which was a far cry from where the season began.

 Madelyn and I enjoyed the Pretty Prairie Rodeo with my mom and dad. It was a first for all of us.

 Conley and I volunteered at the annual Starkey golf tournament. We drove the beer cart. Is that kind of like putting a fox in the hen house?

 Conley and I went on a float trip down the Elk River in Noel, Mo. with our dear friend, Jacinda, and her cousins. We had an absolute blast and I cannot wait to go again.

 Madelyn's back to school swim party. Just a few of the 5th graders were there.

 Madelyn's last first day of Elementary school!!! Where has time gone?

 Enjoying a day at the Y water park. This was the first time and only time we went all summer. It was a day with few people there so we enjoyed the lazy river and slides with little waiting time.

Madelyn had a fever on the 3rd day of school, so I stayed home with her the following day until she was fever free for 24 hours. I spent her sick day mowing and painting. I need more productive sick days. 

Picture Update

 

 

Completed my 3rd Warrior Dash in KC, Mo.

 

 

 

 

 

Madelyn had her first experience mushroom hunting. She loved it, minus the ticks.

 

 

 

Madelyn, Kailyn and I completed our first Color Run. It was freezing cold but so much fun.

 

We went to Tanganika Wildlife Park with my parents, Conley and Summer to celebrate Mothers' Day.

 

 

I volunteered to help coach Madelyn's softball team and games will start in a couple of weeks.

 

 

 



Lately...Our Lives in Pics

 

Another succsessful basketball season. As a team they didn't win many but they improved as the season progressed. Madelyn was often times the high scorer of the game. Her height has its advantages.

 

 We celebrated Valentines Day with her class.......and....

 

 

 

 

 

By bringing home Maggie May home from the Humane Society. She is a Heinz 57 pup, we think part lab/part terrier. It's like having a toddler in the house again. Not quite sure what I was thinking. Madelyn adores her and TJ tolerates her. The jury is still out with my opinion of her as she has broken a lamp, chewed up my sunglasses and created quite a few potty messes. Thankfully potty training is going much better these days.

Sorry for this repeat pic...I couldn't delete it for some reason.

Worked out at the YMCA...or at least one of us did.

 

 

 Dug out from 12 inches of snow, school was closed for four days and my work was closed for three.

 

Celebrated St. Patty's day with good friends.