Welcome 2018!

Happy New Year!

We spent the first day of the new year playing outside on the ice.  The temperatures had not been above freezing for probably over a week.  Nick went down to the pond to drill a hole and make sure the ice was thick enough to go out on.  It was close to 5 inches, and by the end of the week, after still not reaching 32 degrees it was 6 inches thick.  We have not had temps this cold since moving down here two years ago.  After researching information about how thick ice needs to be before going out onto it, it was decided that the kids can skate away.  Thankfully, Deb and Norm left us several pairs of ice skates when they made their move to Florida. 

Nick drilling a hole

Nick helping Gracie get her skates on.

Owen with his skates on, ready to get on the ice.

Woops.  There were lots of falls, but all smiles.

Gracie and Nick on the ice

More skating

Owen and Nick

Owen getting the hang of it.

During that week, I think the kids were outside skating whenever there was time available.  If they didn't have activities after school, they wanted to be out there.  Since there wasn't enough snow to do anything else, it was nice to have the pond completely frozen over.  Gracie and Owen loved it!  I chose not to put skates on because it hurts a lot more when you're old if you fall.  I took pictures and videos of the activities.

Nick finished the pantry!  I was so excited to have somewhere to put all of our stuff.  I think we were able to get rid of several more boxes after this!

Another day of skating!

The kids were able to go out 3-4 times during that week before we had a heat wave and the temps rose to over 50 degrees.

Chillin' on the ice

A day of basketball and wrestling

Nick and I had to divide and conquer a week ago.  He took Owen to his wrestling meet at Blair Oaks, just south of Jefferson City.  I took Gracie to her basketball games in Linn.  Both kids had a really good day!  After finishing the sports activities, our neighbors came over for more skating and chili for dinner.  It was a busy, fun day.

Gracie at her basketball game.

Her team after winning the first game.  They won by a lot against Linn.

This pretty much sums up Gracie after playing.

I'm such a great photographer.  I'll bet Gracie loves this pic.

It's official.  I'm pretty sure Gracie can jump higher than her mom.  

Not that it takes a whole lot to accomplish that.

Gracie's team ended up winning both of their games on Jan 6.  They won both games by a lot.  I don't remember the exact scores of either game, but Gracie's team played pretty well and had fun.  

1st Place Finish for Owen at 65 lbs 8U

Owen also had a really good day of wrestling and won all of his matches.  Nick actually missed his first match because he was coaching a different wrestler.  It only lasted 20 seconds though.  Owen pinned the first two opponents and then won by tech fall the 3rd and 4th matches.  I wish I could have been there.  Gracie and I contemplated driving over after her games, but decided we might not even make it in time.  I got to watch the videos on Nick's phone, though.

Owen throwing one of the kids he wrestled.

One of Owen's victories!

And more skating!

After the events of the day, we had more skating on the pond and our neighbors came to join us.  The temps climbed into the upper 20's during the day, so it felt pretty warm!

Gracie showing her skills after a week of practicing

All smiles under the scarf!

Dad helping out, as Jack follows behind.

Using up as much of the day as we can! 

It was so fun to see the pond full of people skating on it.  Our neighbors have 5 kids, and they all got to try skating.  Everyone was out there until it was too dark (and cold) to continue.

We haven't been out there at all this week.  The day after our fun skating session, it rained and the temps were consistently over freezing for a few days.  The weather really hasn't been that great this week.  The kids were out of school early on Thursday due to threats of an ice storm (which never happened) after we had a couple days of 50 degree weather.  It was pretty nice, but very short-lived.  At least I had a couple days of good running weather.  I've been limited to the treadmill for the past couple weeks.  We've had a couple days of snow, which covered the pond, and the temps are currently dropping, with the wind increasing.  Back to the treadmill.

More basketball for Gracie

Gracie's team played in Hallsville this weekend.  The games were much closer than the previous weekend.  We came back from behind during the first game and Gracie scored the winning basket.  It was the only basket she made during that game.  It was pretty exciting.  They also won their second game.  

Gracie during the first game

Shooting another free throw.

Gracie's games will continue through half of February. They play two games each Saturday in a different town.  Next weekend we are here in Ashland, but games are at 9am and 2pm.  She just has to miss one weekend because we will be in Florida for a long weekend.  She is enjoying basketball much more this year and she is on a pretty good team.  

We have also started winter workouts for softball and Gracie was so excited to go to the first one last night.  Those will be on Sunday evenings until March when regular practices for the spring/summer season.

Nerf gun wars when it's too cold to go outside

We also had a painting party! 

I found some acrylic paints and the kids had fun painting on cardboard.

We have been continuing to work on the house when time allows.  Yesterday, I spent a few hours filling nail holes in the trim.  Owen helped me for awhile.  Nick spent some of the day fixing the doors upstairs.  The bedroom doors now shut and the closet doors open the right way.  Thanks Nick!  I spent a day going through more stuff in the basement and using the space beneath the stairs for storage.  There are still way too many boxes that we need to go through.  Most of it is stuff that the kids packed and don't want to part with, but don't use anymore.  The railings still need to be finished, which is what we have to have done in order to close on the house.  Otherwise, it's just details like finishing and painting trim, finishing the linen closets, and continuing to organize everything.  I'm sure once we close on the construction loan, we will start thinking about putting a building up for the horses.

Two weeks of school are underway for our kids in the new year.  Gracie has a project this month on a famous Missourian.  She chose the country singer, Sara Evans.  She is putting together a poster board of information.  They are supposed to have an evening to present all of their research, but it is scheduled for the day that we leave for Florida, so she will have to present hers during class. Owen is still trying to improve with his math facts and practice spelling.  

Gracie and Owen started after school care on January 8 at Adventures in Learning.  I have started full time at Mizzou as the Tutor/Mentor Coordinator and Learning Specialist, and the kids need somewhere to go for a couple hours after school every day.  This daycare seems to be a good place and the first week went well.  Gracie and Owen both know a couple of friends who also attend there, so they are content with going.  My job will be a little more challenging this semester, meeting with students again, in addition to the responsibilities of coordinating all of the tutoring and mentoring for Mizzou athletes.  We'll see how this goes!  Mizzou classes start tomorrow!

We are also counting down until our departure from the Midwest to travel to Florida!  Just over a couple weeks until we feel some warmth again!