Fall Fun 2024

 

We used the 4th Street Elevator for its actual purpose! (to commute downtown, attending a parade)

Tony took the kids on a hike at Mines of Spain.

We ALL adventured at Devil's Lake doing the easier of the hikes next to the lake. 

Although kids were a little hesitant for such a long walk, Walter enjoyed jumping and playing on the rocks - until he didn't when he tripped.  Mom and Dad made everyone push through to enjoy the great views. 

We also spent the night a Kalahari to enjoy the arcade and water park.  Walter was excited to drive a car and enjoyed it until he got hit hard then when only drive extra slow.  He also braved a larger ride, holding Johanna's hand.

Johanna enjoyed ALL the rides and rock climbing.  She is an excellent driver (so far) always passing Mom.

Walter enjoyed the human claw machine and brought home a new friend named Karl. 

Johanna Turns 12

We are enjoying Johanna’s middle school time as it actually means more family dinners and free time.  She doesn't have evening activities (since they are after school instead) and she is able to independently manage her time well. She is in both choir and orchestra which take place during school hours, giving her less “study hall” time but is still getting all her work done.  Johanna earned straight A’s in her first trimester, and her teachers agreed they wanted to clone her! She is enjoying club time and leap activities at school including gym club, cooking club, crime solving club, and being a peer buddy for special needs students.

Tony says Johanna is getting tall (long legs) but Johanna says not tall enough. Tony really enjoyed practicing long jump with her during track season this year.  It's nice he has Johanna to talk and watch sports with, even if he sometimes needs to ask for a break from conversation and questions.  Tony appreciates how responsible Johanna is and likes to see her growing independence.

Walter likes that Johanna knows really good technology, even better than dad.  Walter says she is “kinda nice”.  He wants to get a puppy or chameleon with Johanna (probably because he knows she would take responsibility for it).

Michelle enjoys that Johanna still welcomes hugs and cuddles.  Michelle appreciates how enthusiastically Johanna says “I love you SO MUCH!”.  Johanna has always been one to volunteer for school activities so Michelle thought Johanna would have one or more activities every day after school, but Johanna is beginning to focus more on specific interests, opportunities with friends, and appreciates having more down time. 

• Favorite to eat: Grandma Millie’s tort cake
• Favorite to do: Play softball and do track
• Favorite to watch: Iowa Women’s Basketball, full house 
• Favorite to read: A Place to Hang the Moon, and Harry Potter
• Favorite to help with: Making stromboli
• Favorite to learn about: Social studies (Ms. Krow is her favorite teacher)
• Favorite to hang out with: Naya, Gabby, Jane, Esme
• You are good at: Getting homework done
• Want to get better at: Sprinting, high jump
• Makes you laugh: Walter (never Dad 🙂)
• Makes you upset:  Walter and Dad
• Favorite happen this year: Going to Branson, especially paddleboarding
• Look forward to next year: Land of Natura beach in Wisconsin Dells
• Future adventure: Go on a plane
• Future learn: Family tree stuff
• Future where live: Dubuque
• Future want to do: Teacher
• Future not want to do: Have Walter live in my basement

Family Photos

 We celebrated Wayne and Millie's 50th anniversary by taking some family photos.

And had a party at the Worthington Community Center with aunts and uncles.

Many great photos.

Halloween 2024

Walter dressed up as Martin from Wild Kratts.  Johanna was Hermione from Harry Potter.  

We had a different experience for Halloween this year.  Both kids went Trick or Treating with friends.  Michelle accompanied Walter, Tony stayed home to pass out candy.  

Johanna had a sleep over with some friends. Unfortunately, she injured her toe while moving a bed, and called home for some reassurance - which was ironic considering her friends' parents are a surgeon and nurse practitioner. Luckily, the toe survived and the sleep over continued.     

Walter's costume almost didn't arrive in time (even though it was ordered a month earlier).  Tony bought all the materials to make it himself but luckily didn't have to.  Walter had been planning his costume for weeks and was so excited when it arrived (the day before Halloween).

Walter and his friend (and her sister) coordinated costumes so they were all Wild Kratts.

Although not trick or treating together, we were all in the Wartburg Seminary area.  We didn't run into each other but were in the right neighborhood for plenty of full sized candy.  

Fall Activities 2024

 Lots of kids activities this fall.

Johanna participated in middle school track at Washington.  Her relay team got second place in the 4x100, she rocked in her 100m heat, and also ran 200m relay though not her favorite activity.  It's great to see Johanna growing and meeting new friends with similar interests. 

Johanna had an orchestra concert.  We were proud that she was brave enough to volunteer to step up to the microphone and introduce one of the songs.  

She had a choir concert at Washington as well.  The choir is HUGE with standing room only in the auditorium and a chilly, long walk back to our car. 

Johanna and Michelle finally had a paint night together at the mall and it was a Halloween theme with black light. We both loved our pictures until we had to try and draw that darn cat.  Next time we will stick with making happy trees and colorful skies.

Walter's favorite (and maybe only) sport is swimming.  In his swim lessons, he has developed great form and is doing very well with his stamina for treading water too.  

Walter had a fun field trip to Four Mounds where the 4th grade worked on team building activities.

He had a awesome costume for a super hero themed activity day at Swiss Valley.

Walter had a music concert at Bryant and was a joy to watch during the dancing portion.

At Bryant, Walter is part of the Starbarks team. The team sells coffee drinks to teachers to practice social and other skills.  Walter LOVES it and has started to go to school early to help with orders and deliveries.  He was proud when he earned "manager of the week".  This got Michelle thinking about what Walter wants to do when he grows up, his response to Michelle's questions was - "Mom, stop trying to plan my future.  I will figure it out when I get there."

With his love of music & dancing, we started drum lessons for Walter this year.  He immediately wanted to start a family band and insists on practicing together.  He likes to create his own rhythm instead of following others.  He wants us to have a concert in the driveway to make some money. 

Walter, unfortunately had a trip to the ER after a doctor visit, suspecting an appendicitis.  He had lots of new experiences including peeing in a cup - which he says "is a two person job - literally".  Drinking the contrast solution for the MRI was probably his least favorite (and ours).  It turned out Walter had pneumonia and felt much better after some IV antibiotics.

Michelle also spent a day in the hospital to have some kidney stones removed.  She met some friends in Madison and spent the day hanging out at Olbrich Gardens.

Michelle and Tony fit in a bike ride from, Heritage Pond to Bee Branch, on a nice fall day.