It's a Great Day to be Clean and Sober for 18 years!

 Uncle Nate celebrated EIGHTEEN years of sobriety on January 18th. 

We surprised him with a dinner out and his friends brought him a cake. 

He works every day to live this life. He puts so much into this life and I am obsessed with him. 

Ava's FFA Degree

Ava took Floral Design this year therefore, she joined FFA. She was awarded the Greenhand degree. 

She received a certificate and a medal and will receive a jacket at a later date. 

 

All of the degree recipients for this school year. 

First Place, Baaaabbbbyyy! - Addy Houghtaling {Lake and Maumee Competitions}

 Remember how I have mentioned Addy's Cheer Team was struggling. 

Hard work, determination, grit...

These amazing girls pulled off WELL EARNED 1st place at both the Lake and Maumee competitions. They were up against 3 other squads at each competition and ROCKED it! 

They earned this and worked so hard! 

I'm incredibly proud! 

Another one of our friends daughter cheered at Lake, too! 

We worked with her parents and they adopted Celeste from Guatemala! 

The girls, of course, barely know each other. But the parents find this photo incredibly sweet. 

The end of the Maumee competition ended sad. 

We had to say goodbye to our sweet Harper. This was Harper's last time cheering with us as she was moving schools. 

Her Mama still teaches as Genoa so hopefully we will see her around! 

Good Luck Harper! We love you!

Ava Lost Her Wisdom {Teeth}

 About two months ago, Ava started to complain about lower teeth. 

We made an appointment and it was what we thought...she needed her wisdom teeth out. 

Fun fact: She only had 3!

She, of course, did amazing! So much so, I didn't get any good videos. Just quite a bit of swelling for a couple of days! She healed well and is completely back to normal. 

BG Cheer Competition!

We kicked off the new year with the Bowling Green Cheer Competition. 

These girls have worked hard. 

They started off very slow and with lots of changes, it's been a rough start. 

They did take 1st place, but honestly they weren't up against anyone. 

They have fun! 

They continue to work! 

Happy New Year!

We kept New Year quiet and had a little gathering at our house. 

It's just safer and fun for everyone! 

We had a few people and the Hoogenraad's were still in town! 

This kid loves a good time. 

She had so much fun!

We ended 2024 happy, healthy and so very grateful. 

2025 will be awesome! 

We also said goodbye to the Hoogenraad's the next day. 

 

The Hoogenraad's Visit

Lisa decided at the end of October that she was going to cut her America experience a little short. 

She was supposed to stay for the entire school year, but she decided to return home to the Netherlands after the 1st semester. She explained in depth that she wasn't going because of us or the experience. She just was simply homesick and wanted to go home. 

We can't fault her for that. 

Her parents, Martin and Astrid, arrived from the Netherlands to visit for a week and then take Lisa back home with them. 

It was so nice to meet them and share Ohio with them! 

The day after they arrived, it was Astrid's birthday! 

We had to celebrate with cake!

A traditional New Years treat is Ollibollen.

Basically, it's dough with powdered sugar. 

It was glorious. 

I rented an Igloo at Twin Oast. 

It was such a fun afternoon. The adults indulged in some drinks, but honestly, the food was outstanding! 

Such a fun a fun winter afternoon!

Bonus...your 16 year old drives you home after a few drinks. 

 

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tom!

Uncle Tom turned 70! 

A big thanks to Lisa for coordinating a fun night out with family. 

Tom is the 2nd oldest of my mom's siblings. The oldest, Jerry, passed away in 2003. 

Therefore, Tom is our patriarch. 

Happy Birthday! We love you!

 

Christmas 2024

Nothing like updating the Christmas post on February 19th. Whew...life is crazy! 

The holidays were ok. We got hit with major sickness and poor Addycakes tested positive for Influenza A the day before Christmas Eve. 

We still got some fun things in! 

Mailed my cards from Rudolph (all by myself because everyone else in my family thinks I'm crazy!) 

My new decoration. 

I love it so much! 

John is adorable and thought I would let him hand a couple of ornaments on my pretty tree. 

Nope. 

So...he got his own little personal tree. 

The amount of gifts under our tree before Christmas was ridiculous. 

Our big Urgent Care trip.

She rallied after some meds and they decorated Gingerbread cookies!

Christmas Eve morning at Uncle Nate's!

Lots of handmade stuff from Ava Kate this year!

My sweet little niece and her toy basket. 

Uncle Carl being silly. 

Only Lisa, Ava and I made it to church. 

Addy needed to rest and John started to get sick! 

Back home for dinner with my dad, Tina and Carl. 

John grilled steaks.

Aunt Emily got a heck of a present this year! 

My girls are getting older so I try to make things fun for them.

These turned out so cute!!

Merry Christmas from the Ho's! 

Ava received a gift with some pretty cool paper! 

Look closely!

Your hostess with the mostess! 

Minute to Win It games! 

Spent a fun day with family and the cousins worked on lego flowers all afternoon! 

It was a good couple of days even though there was a flow of antibiotics.