Happy 14th Birthday, Sage!

 Happiest birthday wishes to my awesome teen, Sage! You’re creative, witty, and kind with a very loving heart. You wow us with your words and your wisdom and we love you so much!

We celebrated your birthday with your cousins at the lake. Unfortunately, 3 of the 5 of you came down with Covid. So you spent the next week including your actual birthday at home in isolation. We made the best of the day though with all the traditions: waking up to “Happy Birthday to Ya,” your favorites for meals (Panera bagels and Mac and Cheese with Qdoba for dinner), birthday presents, and the reading of the birthday book (Mom only cried once).  

When your Covid isolation ended, we celebrated with dinner at Chevy’s with Granny. Finally, a week later, we celebrated with your friends at Defy. 

Happy 13th Birthday Kai!

 I can’t believe you are a teenager! We had the best time celebrating you with friends and family.  

Kai,

You are a wonderful son who always makes me proud whether it’s at school, on the court/field, or just hanging out with loved ones. You are kind, thoughtful, and intelligent. You have a great sense of humor and always make us laugh. You’ve become a leader and a role model. Keep working hard and crushing your goals. I love you so much and hope your 13th year is filled with love and joy! 

From Athens to Rome - July 2022

Nebraska and Dakotas Road Trip

 Since Kai had a basketball tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska, we decided to add the Dakotas to the road trip to cross those states off our list.  We spent Saturday and Sunday morning in Lincoln, Nebraska for the tournament. Kai's team had an impressive, overtime win and we celebrated with his team at Sun Valley Entertainment Complex.

On Sunday, we traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to explore the falls and the downtown area.  We walked from our hotel to a great little restaurant in town.  We tried the state food - chislic.  It was bascially salted and cubed beef.  Pretty salty, but Kai liked it.  After dinner, we walked around downtown to see some of the sculptures.  Then, we walked to Sioux Falls Park.  We were accosted by not one, but two gaggle of geese.  Once we made it past the geese, we enjoyed our walk along the falls.  

On Monday, we traveled to Wahpeton, North Dakota.  There, we saw the world's largest catfish known as Whapper.  We had lunch at a great little restaurant and then explored the Chahinkapa Zoo.  Even though the zoo was small, we enjoyed our up close views of the animals they had there.  

Screenshot from Wavelength Game we played in the hotel.  Hilarious fun!

"Whapper" the world's largest catfish: Wapheton, ND

Kai leans over and says, "So, what's the plan for when the fence fails?  Do we run? Do we play dead?"  Immediately after, the rhino snorts loudly and stamps his foot. We ran! 

Love this pic!

the Howler monkeys put on a show!

Slam dunk on the grizzly bear!

May 2022

Sage at the Cards game with Miles 

Kai with his WER1 teammates on the road

Sage stayed home to celebrate a Tyler's birthday

and spend Mother's Day with mommy at the Botanical Gardens

and eat lunch at Salt N Smoke

Sage left this sweet message in the kitchen

Fun Mother's Day present!

Kai with Daddy in Kansas

Kai's first band concert - clarinet

He looked so enthused! Lol! They sounded great especially since that was the first time they played together!

Sage and Kai on the wall of fame in the middle school! 

Kai celebrating another birthday with his BFF Oliver

recreating a pic from kindgergarten

Kai at the tip off for his Knights Team

Rubix cube break while playing basketball at the school

Raya's goofy face

Cardinals game! 

Love those smiles! 

Sage on dance cam!

walking home from school

Kai in Indianapolis for WER1 - catching a WNBA game. 

Kai with some teammates at the game.

brought down on the court for pics with DJ Kels (the DJ for the Pacers and the Fever)

enjoying some Korean BBQ - DIY style

Meanwhile, Sage stayed with daddy and got a fresh cut!

Kai trying a new burger place in Indy - Jaggers

Outside the Pacer Athletic Center 

First dip in Gma and Papa's pool

Raya did not want to go for a swim.

Memorial Day weekend fun - fetch with Raya in the yard.