November Recap #4

 411 Ceremony

In 5th grade, students in Johnston have classes during guidance class called 411 or known as DARE.  A police officer with the department talk to the students about being drug-free, being a good role model for several weeks.  At the end of the class, students wrote an essay on what drug free means to them.  Out of 125 students, Clare's essay was selected to be read at the ceremony with her classmates and parents.  

So proud of Clare

John's 4 

We traveled to Omaha to celebrate John's birthday.  He was so excited to have a house full of family and friends to celebrate his special day that he felt like King of the Jungle.

Adorable cake made by John's grandma, Julie.

Gramma Mary with her little people.

Andrew turned 15

The Dyer's Visit

My friend and her family came to DM for the weekend to go speak at an adoption conference.  While Amber and Matt were at the conference, their children hung out with us for the day.  

Thanksgiving in Cedar Rapids

Phil's side of family were coming to Cedar Rapids to celebrate at his Uncle Mark's house.  There was a house full of family there but we had the best time.  It was wonderful to see some his aunts and uncles we haven't seen in a long time.

Aunt Audrey taking a selfie

Playing heads up

Playing euchre

Turkey time

Phil's mom with her siblings, Virginia, Audrey, Mark and Roger

October Recap #3

Homecoming

Olivia went to homecoming with a group of friends.  She was looking forward to this night and getting all dolled up.  After pictures they went to eat at P.F. Chang's and then headed to the dance.  She LOVED it all and then spent the night at one of the girl's house.  She stayed up WAY too late, but had a blast.

Happy Birthday Phil

Cheer Camp

I signed Ruth to participate in a week long cheer camp through the school. After 4 practices, it was showtime during the 9th grade football game, which Andrew was playing in.  Ruth had so much fun learning the different cheers and can still recite them.

Freshman Football

 Andrew had a blast this year playing football.  He was injured for about a month but came back into his spot, quarterback, for the remainder of the season.  When it was playoffs for varsity, a few freshman were asked to suit up, come to the practices and games.  He thought this was awesome.  Since then, Andrew has been lifting weights with the football team.   This helps him stay in shape while not in a sport in the winter season.

Coach telling Andrew a play

Andrew with a few of his friends

 Pumpkin Patch

Halloween

Ruth trick or treating a friend in our neighborhood

Gotta have some sugar

September Recap #2

Clare turned 11 and celebrated it with several girls on her softball team.  We went bowling followed with a sleepover too.  It was a perfect way to celebrate on this cold, rainy night. 

Olivia and her friend came to help out with the party.

Birthday Girl

Fall Ball

Clare is now playing on the Johnston Pride.  With a little controversy with breaking away from Johnston Girls softball club team, several parents were ready to make their own team.  Now, Clare will be with the same group of girls for the next few years and have a consistent coach too. 

6 months Recap Part 1~ August 2015

I know, I know...it has been SIX months since my last post.  Hard to believe 6 months has even passed.  My last post was on Andrew's baseball but that is where I'm going to pick up.  I'll share a few of my favorite pictures from Andrew's baseball, which was a BIG deal and an awesome experience for him and our family.

Andrew's All-Star Team won State, which advanced his team to represent Iowa at Regionals in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Fast forward 7 games in Indiana and his team once again, won and were Central Region Champions.  Then immediately the team drove to Taylor, Michigan to play in the Junior League World Series.  Andrew's dream had come true.  This experience is hard to describe, just had to be there.  The boys were treated like royalty.  They met so many boys from all over the US and world too.  It was the neatest experience for everyone and so, so many memories too.  It was the most fun 2 weeks of our lives.
                                                                  Fort Wayne, Indiana

                                                                    Taylor, Michigan

Andrew pitching

Johnston All-Stars and siblings

Proud Parents and very sweaty too

 LOOK at the size of this pool!  The girls were in heaven.

                                               


Andrew's team played excellent but ended up in second place in the US.  Pretty darn awesome.  Their last game was on Saturday, Aug. 22, against Puerto Rico and then quickly drove home to be ready for school on Monday.

But it didn't end there.  Once they returned home, there was a Welcome Home Rally for the team and the boys were invited to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the City Council meeting.

 

Local news stations interviewed Andrew and later put on TV.

Olivia stayed back to work, but was cheering loudly for the Central Region.

Here are few of the professional pictures to capture Andrew in action on the field.

Andrew's homerun going over the fence

Andrew coming home after his homerun

Reality...school and heading back to work.

5th Grade and 1st

Olivia-11th & Andrew-9th