Boys' Birthday Weekend 2011

It is so hard to believe that Justin is 7, and Karson is almost 3. Wow! We celebrated the weekend of Justin's birthday in Eldora, Iowa with Corey, Nicole, Owen, Nana Cathy, Papa Rick, and Grandma Nona. Obviously, the theme for their party was Iowa Hawkeye football, which Justin picked. Go Hawks!!!

Uncle Corey made the cake, and it was the most delicious cake we have ever had!

Justin loved wearing his birthday hat.

Karson was more interested in the bags and boxes their gifts came in than the actual gifts, but he enjoyed trying on Justin's new bike helmet.

I'm pretty sure Karson is thinking, "Owen, are you sure you know how to read?" They were so cute reading books together!

Flag Football 2011

Check out the determination on his face! Go Justin!

This is Justin's second year of flag football, and he is loving it! He learned a lot last year that he has been able to use this year. Not to mention the fact that he is bigger and faster than he was a year ago.

Running to help block for his team.

Justin's biggest fan!!!

Sports Fanatics

Our boys sure do love their sports. Here are just a few of the many, many pictures I have of them playing some sort of sport. Justin's favorite sport is football, but he also loves basketball and baseball. He says he's going to be a professional football player when he grows up. We're all for that! :) Nana Cathy wants him to be a field goal kicker, so there is less chance of him getting hurt. We don't really care what position he plays, but he does love to work on his field goal kicking in our back yard. Could he be the next Nate Kaeding or Ryan Longwell? We'll see.

Shooting hoops

OK, I'm not totally sure his arm should bend like that, but he is an extremely accurate pitcher, and he hasn't even played regular baseball on a team yet. He is definitely a natural athlete. I think he gets it from me. :)

Karson might not be quite the natural athlete that Justin is, but he certainly loves sports. Has there ever been a cuter mini-baseball player? :)

My nephew, Owen, had a great time playing catch with me when we were in Eldora to celebrate his 3rd birthday. Just look at that sweet smile!

1st Grade!

Justin started 1st grade this year, and he is loving it! His teacher is Mrs. Janssen, and he loves her. His favorite subject is math, but he is also doing really well with spelling. He is such a smart boy, and we are so proud of him!

Franklin School ~ Fall 2011

Showing off his Chicago Cubs backpack. Go Cubs!

Ready to go for his first day of 1st grade.

Kindergarten!

Justin absolutely loved kindergarten! School is one of his favorite things. He especially enjoyed learning how to read.

Mrs. Barker was is kindergarten teacher, and he loved her. He still asks about her, and stops in to see her every chance he gets, even though he is in 1st grade now.

Mrs. O is one of Justin's favorite people. She is also a teacher at Franklin Elementary, and all the kids love her.

Karson's Graduation from Early Intervention

Obviously, I am waaaaaaaay behind on blogging. I decided not to go back to where I left off, so I'm going to start again with Karson's graduation from the Early Intervention program. It is so hard to believe he is almost three already!

His graduation was at Sinnissippi Park in Sterling. There was a picnic with lots of good food, and a little ceremony for all the kids who were graduating.

Karson receiving his certificate and a gift.

Karson with some of the employees of Kreider Services in Dixon. Diane Cahill is the one holding him, and she is his physical therapist. Julie Rombout is on the right, and she is his developmental therapist. Karson loves both of them, and so does Mommy. They have been so good with him. We are both going to miss them when he starts pre-school on October 24th. :(

The cake with all the graduates' names on it. Congratulations to our Karson!!!!

Happy New Year!!

We celebrated the New Year in Dubuque, Iowa. My friend, Susie, got married at the Grand Harbor Resort Hotel. There is an indoor water park in the hotel, so the boys had a blast. Mom & Dad, Corey, Nicole & Owen, and Curt & Keri all went with us, so they could take the boys to the water park while Matt and I went to the wedding.

Former co-workers/friends - Sue, me, Elizabeth & Susie. We all used to work with Susie at the newspaper office. Susie now live and works in Dubuque, Elizabeth is a stay-at-home mom in Byron, and Sue & I continue to work at the paper. We all try to stay in touch as much as possible.

Karson loved the water park. He spent most of his time in the baby pool where he could splash and crawl around. The water was kind of cold, and Karson's hands & feet turned blue at some points, but he still didn't want to get out. Aunt Keri & Daddy took him down the big slides a few times, but he wasn't too sure about them.

Justin, on the other hand, absolutely loves the big slides. He went down each slide several times. There wasn't any lines, so he could go down them as fast as he could climb back up to the top again. He is definitely a water baby.

Karson & Justin sitting in the baby pool. They both enjoyed sitting in the hot tub to warm up when they were done swimming. Karson's hands and feet would finally turn pink again after some time in the hot tub. Justin wants to go back to the water park as soon as possible, and I'm sure Karson does too.