October/November/December 2021

Started off October with the big kid turning 7 years old.  He was able to bring in treats for his class and event had a few friends over for a sleep over.  (Shawn Styke, Beau Fields, Liam Hornstein and Carter McDonald).  They seemed to have a great time.  Lots of wrestling, baseball and xbox.  Then we wrapped it all up with a family party on Sunday.  His sports cake was so cute.  Hard to believe out first little is turning 7 already and is in first grade. 

Crew was lucky enough to get invited to another bday party at the end of October.  Liam Hornstein and Cal Brucker combined their party and their moms took a group of kids to the Trampoline park.  Brave, I know.  Crew had so much fun and loved to tell the story of Liam puking up his bday cake.  Memories

We ended October with Halloween memories.  David and I were both able to take the boys to the downtown Halloween event.  The boys played games, got candy and rode on the train.  Then Halloween night we sent Tate with his buddy Charlie and G & G Vetter joined us for about an hour of trick or treating.  The little had fun but they got cold and tired pretty quickly, which was fine for all of us 😊  Knox was Spiderman this year and Crew was a skeleton…..along with Mommy.

Wrestling started up again in November and luckily, we were able to talk Crew into trying another season.  He was a little more into Basketball this year but once we assured him wrestling and basketball didn’t overlap, he was good to try wrestling again.  Plus, all his friends do wrestling, so it wasn’t too hard of a sell.  We started the season off with the GCMS Funfrawl.  We always have such a good time at the GCMS Tournament, and this year was no different.  We all were able to help with the set up on Friday night and then the big event was on Saturday.  Crew did pretty good.  He ended up with a second place and 2 pins.  It was a great start to the season.

The holiday season kicked into effect for us right before Thanksgiving when were able to take the boys to the Polar Express Train in Monticello.  We took the older boys when Crew was just a newborn so it was time to get the little to the experience.  They had so much fun and enjoyed the hot chocolate, singing, Santa and the train ride.  So fun.  

We celebrated Thanksgiving a couple of times in November.  First, we have the Catholic Church Thanksgiving dinners a few days before and then on the actually day we invited the Hyatts over and just catered from Hy-Vee.  It worked out great and the kids have a good time. 

Christmas was a quick trip this year.  Xmas morning, we got up and opened presents, then ran to grandpa Stroh’s for presents in the afternoon.  ON Sunday we did the annual Vetter trip to hibachi and opened gifts.  You know our kids are spoiled when they don’t even know what to ask for at xmas time.  Crew and Tate received WWE tickets so that was their gift for Santa.  Crew loved it.  Crew also received a Tom Brady Jersey, Just Dance on PS4 and Junie B. Jones books.

August/September 2021

Started August off with our yearly trip to the dentist.  Four boys to the dentist and 4 boys with no cavities.  Yeah.  We also took the boys to their first concert in August.  Warrant came into town and we were able to bring four of the boys.  They had fun running around with their friends and listening to the music….as did we. 

Mid-August rolled in and we were all off to School.  Crew started 1^st grade this year.  His teacher is Mrs. NcNary and Crew was so excited.  He started the year off great with such excitement.  It’s just a great age watching them learn and grow.  Mrs. McNary even came out to our house to visit and meet our family.  It’s going to be a great year.

Crew also started Flag Football for the first time in August.   Crew was excited as most of his friends were doing football also.  The game were on Saturday mornings and Crew did awesome.  He ran the ball, caught the ball, got touchdowns and had such a good time.  It will be so cute to watch these boys grow and play together.  They really are so much fun.

We rounded off September with Homecoming week.  It’s always so much fun for the kids to dress up during school and then participate in the Homecoming parade, Powderpuff game and Football game.  This year we had Brayden in the parade riding the football float and Tate marching in the band for the parade.  Brayden’s gf is Kaelynn so we even went and watched her in the Powerpuff game along with cousin Ashley.  It was just a great week and felt a little normal once again.

 Milestones:  Took the littles to their first Illini Football game, Bible Church for Tate and Crew

May/June/July 2021

We kicked off May with birthday party for Crew’s good buddy Carter.  Crew rides the bus with Carter so they talk every day and Carter was also in Crew’s class this year.  He had a nerf gun party so they had a blast.  The rest of May we stayed busy with baseball.  Crew Participated in Vacation Bible School this year and had a great time.  His first day he was so nervous but as soon as he found out what it was all about and that all his friends were there with him, it was the greatest day ever.  Finished up June with our first baseball tournament for Crew.  He did awesome, mainly playing in the pitcher’s position.  Great hitting and awesome out fielding for this 6-year-old.  They didn’t make it to the championship game but they did great and had so much fun.  Can’t wait till next year.

Onto July.  Summer has officially begun and we kicked off July with our yearly camping trip with the Johnson’s .  This year the rain was crazy the week before so there was a lot of mud and the lake was super high.  Still had a blast.  The Johnson’s brough a new tube for us to try out and the boys really enjoyed working on their skills and hanging out with our friends.  Next the best holiday of the year…..4^th of JULY!!!!  It was nice to get back to the celebration after having to skip last year.  We started the holiday weekend with our annual camping trip with the Fords.  The weather was great, and the company was even better.  Had a great time.  The 4^th of July was much of the same.  The kids enjoyed the parade and kids’ games.  Crew finished with a first place in the potato  sack race and Liam and Crew got third in the 3 legged race.  The fireworks were fabulous as always.  Such a great day.

 And of course, we wrapped up July with our yearly trip to the Ozarks.  We stayed in our favorite house this year since our condo wasn’t ready yet and really enjoyed ourselves.  We had a couple of new people join us this including Grandpa Stroh, Uncle Chris and Easton.  It was a good time showing them around and letting them participate in fun things like swallowing the minnow and jumping off the cliffs.

March/April 2021

March started off with our annual trip to go and visit Auntie Sydney.  This year we tried to do something new and we did some roller skating and visited Sydney at her apartment.  Of course we made a trip to Fitz’s too.  It was great to get a weekend away to see her. 

Next came Easter.  We were able to do the Easter Egg hunt in Gibson this year.  Crew ran into his buddies Max and Easton while we there and had a great time collecting eggs.  Even got a picture with the main guy himself.  Easter day was beautiful which means the kids woke up to easter eggs place outside by the Easter Bunny.  Everyone had a great time running around the yard.  Later that day we cooked Easter lunch for everyone.  Jami and the kids came along with Louie and the Vetters.  We all enjoyed being outside most of the day watching the kids ride around on four wheelers and motorcycles.

April brought warmer weather and we are back into the sports calendar.  Crew started Soccer again and is on a team with Ellie Hornstein.  His first game he was a beast and scored 3 goals.  The kid was ready for a win.  He said he was super tired after it was all done and I wasn’t surprised as he ran up and down the field.  Should be a fun season.  We also put Crew in 8U baseball this year.  He is one of the younger ones so he might struggle a little bit but we wanted to stay away from instructional baseball if all possible.    He is on a team with his buddy Liam Hornstein and Cal Brucker and his cousin Duncan, so he is happy.

Milestone:  Riding bike without help 3/31/2021, loves riding his four-wheeler, Sassy as all get out.

January/February 2021

Life continues in 2021.  We made it through the holidays and to the other side in 2021.  It’s been rough but what else can we do.  Crew had a pay date with his buddy Carter in Sibley during break so he was excited about that.  Second quarter of school is over Crew did awesome.  He went from all “S” in the first quarter to all “E” the second quarter.  Crew loves school and we continue to be in person 4 days a week which we are extremely thankful for.  Crew received his second BUG Award for the year in early January so how proud are we.  Also had Liam Hornstein over for a playdate and they did great together.  Played Star wars together all day.

February was just yucky but we made the most of it with a couple trips to the Ozarks to play at Margaritaville indoor water park and going out to dinner.

Milestones:  Lost his two front teeth