Halloween 2025

The kids had GREAT costumes for Halloween this year.  Johanna was Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, and by lucky coincidence, Grandma Karen was a scarecrow.  

Walter was the Joker from Batman.

Both kids went trick or treating with friends.  Johanna with Gabby and Naya.

Walter with William and his little sister, and the moms came along to supervise.

Walter and team only lasted about an hour and then handed out candy at William's house.  We were all in the same neighborhood and luckily crossed paths with Johanna.  She and her friends lasted longer and Johanna practically filled her trick or treat bag to the top!  (It weighed nearly 7 pounds.)

Tony stayed home to supervise the candy bowl.  Luckily it didn't blow away this year.

Summer 2025 Wrap Up

 Lots of fun this summer! Melissa visited for a couple days and took the kids out.

The kids love a good movie night and are upping their snack game. 

We had some family fun in Galena including a game of human ring toss and of course the cookie on the face game.

Fireworks fun in Dyersville with a little tea party.

And great seats at home for the 4th of July.

Some fun in the sun.

A new deck with a "little" bit of extra work, plenty of plants, and a new toy for Tony. 

First Day of School 2025

The first day of school was a much cooler temperature than most years.  It was actually sweatshirt weather!

Walter is in 5th grade, his last year of elementary school!  Both of us walked him into school and he was a little unsure and stayed close.  

His teacher is Ms. LoBianco (she was also Johanna's teacher).

Walter had a great first week though!  Tony continues to walk him into Champions in the morning (before and after school program).  Walter was happy when it rained and he got to use his new umbrella. 

Johanna is in her second year of middle school (7th grade) so she has her routine pretty much down.  The first day was just a couple of mini-panics finding her permission slip and her schedule with her locker numbers.  She texts her friend Esme each morning to coordinate their walk together. Johanna's schedule worked out well a best friend in each of her classes.

Her after school routine is grabbing a snack and her laptop to get her homework done.

She kicked off the year with a ceremony to celebrate her academic achievement from the previous year.

Johanna added her new medal to her collection.

Johanna Summer 2025

 Johanna's summer was a good mix of camps and free time at home.

She kicked off summer with the Grandview Gallop.  This is the last year she will be able to run the kids gallop!  She did well and watched the entire big race with her friend. 

Johanna also really enjoyed the Farm Camp that she and Walter attended.  

Johanna got her first x-ray after a rough first day at YMCA camp.  No broken bones!

Johanna and Walter enjoyed some days at Murphy Park with the free activities and snacks. They got smart and started sending adorable pictures to Michelle when asking for a special treat at home. 

Johanna's favorite camp, of course, was her week at Loras Sports Camp.

She found ways to entertain herself at home.

She went on a road trip for a fun Clemen visit.

The cousins visited and had an old school summer fun day.

And Johanna achieved her life goal of having a real Slurpee.

Blue Diamonds had a great season.  They got third in the softball tournament.  Johanna learned that she and Anna were born on the EXACT same day at the same hospital.  She mainly played left field, center field, and second base.