Elliot’s 16th Birthday

This evening we celebrated Elliot’s 16th birthday. The Reagens, Mimi & Papa, and Mari’s friend Lila came over for skyline pizza, cake, and presents.

Some notes about Elliot:

  • Elliot would sleep until noon every day if he could, take a 3 hour nap at some point in the day, and go to bed at 2.
  • He likes to play video games on his phone and occasionally on the TV.
  • He doesn’t have a job yet, but is committed to get one when he turns 16.
  • He is a good driver and is planning on getting his license in a few days.
  • He likes athletic clothes and shoes.
  • He likes cool cars.
  • He and I play ping-ping and he wins 99% of the time.
  • He wanted that Lakers shirt for his birthday.
  • He and Cam play pickleball with me and Nate sometimes.

Favorite song:
Favorite color: Red
Favorite food: Skyline
Favorite musical artist: Yeat
Favorite book:
Favorite sport: Running
Favorite movie:

Conference Cross Country Meet

It was the conference cross country meet for Mari and Elliot this afternoon, their last meet of the season. They both had good seasons and I already can’t wait for next year.

Elliot, near the finish.
Mari, near the start.

Knoxville Cross Country Meet

This afternoon we went to Knoxville for a Cross Country meet for Mari and Elliot. It was finally nice, cool weather and running around the golf course in Knoxville was beautiful, but I hear it was hilly.

Mari at the start
Elliot chasing the gator, which is a good place to be.
The girls JV team, or at least some of it.
The boys JV team

Homecoming Dance

This Saturday was Valley’s Homecoming Dance. Mari and Elliot were in the parade on Thursday with the cross country crew and tonight was the dance.

Mari went with friends: Caroline, Nissa, Loran, Lila, and Mari.
Elliot went with a cross country group: Greta, Elliot, Callie, Aiden, CoCo, Will, Autumn, and Jack

Homecoming parade

This afternoon we went to Valley’s Homecoming parade. We almost went to the completely wrong place because we had the wrong parade route, but we realized it just in time and made it to the parade in time.

Lila and Mari in the boys truck
Elliot wearing a grass skirt.

Late Summer Happenings

Lucia’s first time going off the diving board.
Susan and Shelly in Shelly’s classic car.
We went to a Des Moines Menace playoff game. They lost on PKs.
We went to a car show.
We decorated the sidewalk.
We went for a walk along the Des Moines river while Mari was at soccer tryouts.
Making bracelets was a popular activity this summer.
I was a referee at Keeper Wars, a goalie competition.
The kids made our foam float into a slide for the pool.
The girls played in the creek on a walk with Susan.
We got a cool volleyball net for the pool.
We went for a hike at Greenwood Park.
Rose, Lucia, and I went to the state fair.
Andrew and Susan went to Eatery A for a final meal. College departure is close.
Boy Cousins. They had a final weekend together, spending the night and doing some fun activities.
Mari’s soccer season started, with a new club. She is in the white.
We got a new couch.
8/16 – We had the Liesses and Reagens over for one last dinner before Andrew and Ian head off to college.