More Crazy Weather

My last post seems like so long ago, but it really wasn't!  Some of these pictures are from January and I just haven't had a chance to update anything.  We have had so much crazy weather here, and I CANNOT WAIT until spring arrives.  The university has closed on several occasions and it is so hard to get into a routine at work without having full weeks of classes.  Gracie and Owen still have not had a full week of school and they are 7 weeks into their semester.  However, they both seem to be doing ok in school and are not required to attend conferences this spring.

Wrestling at home.  I love that Owen posed.

Toward the end of January, it was too cold to do much outside, so we went ice skating indoors, of course.  I did not partake, but the kids sure had fun for an hour or so down in Jefferson City.  I was surprised that they didn't last longer than that.

Looking good Gracie!

Owen is getting a little help.

More skating

Owen tagging along

Wrapping up Basketball

The basketball season has been drawn out into the last part of February.  Owen had two weekends cancelled due to weather and Gracie's team entered a couple competitive tournaments.  One was with her Southern Boone team and the other was with a combined team of both Southern Boone girls and Boonville girls.

Tournament at Paris...I think they placed 2nd here.

Paris Tournament

Hanging out with mom.

Owen, shooting a free throw.

Shoe laces time out.

This was a different competitive tournament with the Southern Boone team.  I could only make it to one of the games.  They didn't do as well, and place third I think.  We still had fun afterward and went out for Mexican food in Jeff City.

Ice Skating on Our pond

We had a few days that were pretty cold and the pond froze enough to skate on it.  Nick shoveled the snow off and the kids were able to skate for almost 2 hours before it got dark.  They had a lot of fun!

Wipeout!

Gracie's PBS Award

Citizenship

Gracie was recognized for the Citizenship Award for the month of February.  Each month students are chosen to receive awards in the respective classes.

I wish the sun would provide more warmth.  

This looks really nice, but it was still pretty cold outside.

Hopefully spring will arrive soon!

Finally!  The last basketball games.

It seems to have gone on forever, but they both have had a lot of fun.  Owen's team only had 6 players for most of their season.  It was a really rocky start with lack of gym space, their original coach quitting a week before practices starting, and cancellations due to do weather.  The team really struggled most of the season, and didn't win any games, but Owen was friends with all of the players and loved playing and learning.  He never gets tired and never quits.  He also continues to want to go to practices and play.  He doesn't really care what the outcome of the game is right now, which is great!  I always remind myself of what it was like two years ago watching Gracie play and what a difference there will be in probably just a year from now.

Owen playing defense

Owen calling for the ball

Playing defense

Gracie's last tournament

1st Place!

The last tournament we went to was a little different.  New combined team.  It worked.  The combined team was able to beat a team that none of the girls had been able to beat on their respective school teams.  Four girls from Ashland and four girls from Boonville.  They played great together and two of the games were so close and we came out on top!  I had to leave during the middle of the second game to take Owen to his games, but my mom stayed with Gracie and watched.  Like I said before, two years makes a huge difference and it is getting more fun to watch these girls!

Gracie boxing out after the free throw

Almost blocked it

Defending the in-bounds play

Free throws

Taking the open shot.  I can't remember if this one went in.

Gracie fighting off the defense

So proud of these girls!  I don't even know all of their names yet.

Hayden (2nd row left) broke her arm during the second game.  She and Gracie usually play similar positions, so I don't think Gracie had much of a break during their last game.  There has been some talk of entering more tournaments, but we'll see what happens.  Softball is just around the corner, if spring ever gets here.

Iowa State vs Mizzou wrestling.

In Ames.

We loaded up in the Mizzou van on Sunday morning to head north to Iowa despite the weather (blizzard conditions).  It was actually fine until we got to I-35, which looked like this:

Not ideal driving conditions.

We made it to Ames, though.  Nick took some of his facilities staff to tour Hilton Colesium for the day.  We were able to enjoy the wrestling meet and see some people from ISU that we hadn't seen for a very long time...probably since we left Iowa.

Hickory Park!!!!!  Still my favorite.

Owen had to get some ice cream.

And some more ice cream.  

We don't care that it was only about 10 degrees outside with 40 mph winds.

We can't say no to the Clone Cone either.

Taking in the wrestling.  They were hoping to fill Hilton with 10,000, but that wasn't going to happen with the weather.  I think there were still more people who showed up than what we get on a regular day at Mizzou.  It was good to be back for a little bit.  I was happy to return to a little warmer weather, though.

It was probably weird that Owen hopped out of the Mizzou van wearing an ISU hoodie.

I guess Owen is willing to help roll up mats wherever we are.

Sock Hop

Last elementary party for Gracie

Gracie and her friends at the sock hop for Valentine's Day

This is their last school party that they get to have!  I was going to help, but they moved the party up to the morning hours instead of the afternoon because of weather, so I couldn't attend.  I'm glad her friends have good moms.  They all dressed 50's style and had food, drinks, music and fun. Kind of sad, but I'm so excited for her to be in middle school next year!

Owen also had his Valentin's party the same day and came home with tons of candy again this year.  He still gets pretty excited about school parties and activities.  He loves holidays and anything that is outside of the normal grind at school.  

Where is spring?

The winter has become so long this year and we're supposed to get more winter weather this weekend and possibly next week.  I shouldn't complain a lot because it's way worse north of here, but really?  When is it going to get nice outside again.  We have had a few decent days sprinkled in, but today is back to 35 degrees again.  I noticed yesterday when the sun was out, that I had more light coming in my office window.  There is a big building to the south that blocks it during the winter, but I'm starting to see peaks of sun again when it is out.  During the summer months, I can see it all day long.  Again, I shouldn't complain.  At least I have a window in my office.

What's up next?

We have a little break in between sports, I think.  Wrestling and basketball are done for Owen.  he probably won't start baseball until April.  He will have a concert at school in March.  As soon as it get nice out, I'm sure he will be back outside until dark.

Gracie is done with basketball (I think) unless they decide to try another tournament with the combined team.  She has been going to indoor workouts for softball once a week and again, I'm hoping that the weather will cooperate and they can get outside soon.  Their first tournament is the first weekend in April.  I remember that it was canceled last year because it snowed.  Hopefully we won't have that again, but you never know.  Gracie has a multicultural concert tomorrow, which will be her last concert as an elementary student.

Neither of them are required to have conferences this spring because they are performing at, or above grade level, which is nice.  I might take them in to the book fair anyway, so they can pick out some more books.  So far we only have to make up one day of school.  I think there have been 5 days canceled due to weather.  I can't believe the number of days that Mizzou has canceled classes this semester.  That is unheard of in Iowa.

Next week.... a little bit of warmth in Florida!!!!!  Can't wait!!!!