Xavier Turns 16!!

Happy happy 16th birthday to our firstborn son.  What a blessing you are to our lives.

Xavier started his birthday with some early morning 6:00 a.m. weightlifting with some buddies.  He came home for caramel rolls and bacon, then a run to the DMV to trade that old school/work permit for a "big boy" license, before heading off to a half day with his landscaping crew.

(A birthday centerpiece of a 16 can Bubblr tower in his favorite flavor.)

His boss treated him to lunch and then he FaceTimed the grandparents, opened some presents, and worked on building his Yankees Lego set.

The evening meal request was grilled burgers, fries, chips & homemade dip, and sweet corn.  He even grilled his own burgers.

After supper we did some banana cookie deliveries, including a plate each for 2 birthday buddies - Derrick and Jace.

A pair of 16 year cousins, born just 54 minutes apart.....

Then, back home to have caramel brownies and ice cream to finish celebrating our guy.

A special birthday drawing by Evie (with a little help from Zayden).  

Xavier did a little more celebrating the next night with supper and axe throwing with some buddies - his first "no stipulations of where I'm allowed to travel" outing. :)

Xavier you are smart, determined, driven, responsible, Godly in character, and so very loved.  We are grateful for your calm but fun presence in our family and wish you all the happy blessings of another year full of living!

16 years of memories...

Zayden's Regular Season of Minors Baseball 2026

Zayden had a wonderful regular season of Little League Minors baseball.  He had a coach who both challenged and encouraged him, which we consider a blessing indeed when it comes to sports.  

Zayden spent a lot of time behind the plate catching this year, a bit of time on the mound pitching, and did a great job at bat. 

He was able to steal home to win a game, tagged several outs while catching, threw an out to second from the plate, hit 2 home runs in one game, and ran for a home run after getting himself out of a "pickle." 

Had to stop at the coffee shop to find his brother during his Bible study and tell him about his home runs!

More important than Zayden's "highlight reel" is that he was a good teammate and a respectful athlete.  We're as pleased with his character this season as we are with his athleticism.  He listened and learned, stayed in control of his emotions when something didn't go our way, and was an encourager to his team and to the other kids.  He congratulated kids when they had good runs as they came across "his" plate, thanked the umps, and gave gratitude to his coaches.

always always looking for his chance to steal...

avoiding a walk...

A culmination of hits, runs, and outs at home as catcher...

Zayden consumed a lot of sunflower seeds this season and accumulated numerous stains in his ball pants.  His love for the game grew exponentially this season and he was nominated, for the third year in a row, to play on the county All-Stars team.  The schedule lined up with our summer plans and so here we go....play ball!!

Evalynn Got Her Ears Pierced!!

Our sweet Evie, no matter how I drag my feet, has decided that she's going to do some growing up.  She asked this summer to get her ears pierced and did her own research by talking to some friends to see how bad it hurts.  She talked to Miss Kendra, who pierces ears, and they made a plan.

We met Miss Kendra in my classroom, and Evie was braver than I ever even imagined.  She didn't cry, barely flinched.  She wanted this badly and showed me how tough she can be.

Evalynn is lovely with or without adornment, but her little earrings look as cute as can be on her.

Thank you, Miss Kendra!

Beeler Christmas

We did Christmas with the Beelers on New Year's Eve.

As a bonus, we got to see our Kansas family the day before we did Christmas so we got two days in a row of catching up with them, for which we are so grateful.

The weather was favorable for our drive to MO which made for clear roads for which we are always grateful.

We had a yummy brunch and then opened gifts.

And then it was time for games, snacks, and visiting, and then an afternoon meal...

reflex game...

and plumbing...

Natalee captured a sunset pic...

A few pictures before it was time for our late night drive back to Iowa...

A couple of outlaws...

Bonus pics....Sara had Mike take the medals off his letterman jacket to have it cleaned and we realized I never actually wore it in high school because he was graduated when we got together, so of course I had to try it on...

fit perfectly...

It was a beautiful day spent with people we love.