Addy's Middle School Academics Awards!

Addy Grace was recognized at the Middle School Academic Awards! 

This girl truly works so hard so what an accomplishment! 

Not only was she on High Honor Roll all year, she did it while she cheered for football, basketball, competition team, played Fall and Spring volleyball AND going to tumbling each week. 

7th Grade definitely hasn't been easy for her and she is excited for the school year to end.

 

John RETIRED!!

After having a job since he was 16 years old, John retired. 

He definitely deserves it and has worked so hard for his family. 

He spent the last few years ensuring we will be in a good spot and worked hard to make it happen. 

So now I have a full time maid, pool boy, chef, errand runner. 

Big celebration coming soon! Stay tuned.

 

Mothers Day 2025

Gosh, I love Mother's Day! 

The amount of love on this day just warmed my heart. 

We woke up and headed to brunch at The Crow's Nest in Marblehead. 

Mimosas, yummy food, and gifts! 

It was so fun! 

It was a little chilly and alot windy. 

But I made them all pose for photos!

Back home for afternoon siestas and catching up on shows before heading to volleyball. 

It was a wonderful day!

Diamond Elite Volleyball - Spring Season

Addy Grace tried club volleyball this Spring. She played for a new club called Diamond Elite. 

It was definitely a learning experience for both of us. 

But she had fun, at at the end of the day, that's all that mattered.

 

We had lots of family support!

And got one of my most favorite photos!

Then they WON their division! 

Bring on open gyms and Fall volleyball.

Catsitting!

Uncle Nate went on a golf trip to Kentucky for 5 days, so the family was in charge of Anya. 

We kept sending him photos and videos. 

The biggest "WOW" moment?

Check out that last photo. 

 

Ava's Last Dental Visit

 Ava Kate is officially an adult, well in the dentist world. 

From the age of 2 through 16, we have visited Dr. Zoll and then Dr. Knierim. 

She has officially "graduated" from the Pediatric Dentist and my mama heart aches. 

A little story:

When Ava first came home from China, I took her a dentist in our area who I had seen as a child. Well, Ava was a thumb sucker and this dentist wanted to stop it immediately. He suggested putting spikes on the roof of her mouth to stop it from happening. She also had 5 cavities.  I was so sad and couldn't stop thinking it was basically abuse. So I googled a new dentist and we found Dr. Zoll. She repaired all 5 of her cavities while gently reciting the Lorax to Ava. She took a little break and Ava asked "what happened next?" She forgot why we were even there because Dr. Zoll was amazing! I knew we found our new home. 

Dr. Zoll eventually retired and Dr. Knierim took over and she is just as amazing. I'm glad I have them for a few more years with Addy. 

But now....Ava visits the same as Dad and I. 

Ava's Academic Awards

 My big smarty pants was invited to the High School Academic Awards/Breakfast. 

She earned her academic letter. 

The entire Sophomore Class. 

All of her friends are in this photo. I'm so proud of all of them! 

She didn't get invited to the Top 20 Banquet this year. This has been a source of humor in our house for the last couple of weeks. I love that she doesn't care and keeps us laughing!

Ava's FFA Banquet and Happy Birthday, Lisa Feather!

Ava joined FFA this year through one of her classes, Floral Design. 

They had a big banquet. I quickly learned from other Mama's that the banquet wasn't exciting and super long. And that barely any parents go because of this. Ava wasn't receiving any awards and she basically told me not to go. It was my cousin Lisa's birthday and the family was going out to dinner. 

So...I opted out but managed to grab a few photos first. 

Then AG and I headed to Biaggi's for dinner with the family. 

We continued to snap with Ava most of the night while I received photos from her friends of them playing online poker. Clearly, they were super engaged. Ha!

We still beat Ava home but brought her home a yummy dinner!