United States Semiquincentennial (July 4, 2026)

Happy 250th birthday, America!

You're a bit of a mess, but so am I sometimes.  We still believe in the design of this nation and are happy to be patriots who celebrate our identity in Christ first, and our country second.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We discovered a few years ago that we have a perfect view of the city fireworks display from our front yard and so the word is spreading and this year we had a yard full of cheer, which filled my heart up.  We got out the sno cone machine and enjoyed the evening.

Art work by Mia - our front walk is not curved but "panoramic" photo made it curve.  (shrug)

octoball pit and spikeball saw some action....

Our friends are in town!!  Xavier met these boys 4 years ago and we are so happy to see them when they come from Colorado each year!

throwback... 2022; same order - Cade, Xavier, Quinn

activities from our afternoon as a family and a few fireworks videos (because I can't resist)

The fireworks were beautiful and plenty loud even from the house!

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...

Fellowship Bible Night @ Iowa Cubs

Our fellowship committee at church planned a family night at the Iowa Cubs and we had so much fun with our church friends!  It happened to be William Penn night at the game, also, which was a double bonus for us.  The game started with a marriage proposal but ended with a loss for the IA Cubs.  We had a blast, nonetheless!

Our saddest faces to send to Remi, who stayed home sick with her mama.

The kids all buddied up with friends, but we sat in the same section!

There were lots of give aways throughout the night.  

Clayton caught a frisbee and Zayden a t-shirt.

Evie got restless so I took her to the splashpad to play but it was too cold for her liking so she didn't last but for a couple of dips.

My sweet friend who visited with me when I got restless.

Waiting patiently to catch foul balls near left field. 

In the end almost all of them got a baseball from the players after the game who threw them up to the boys.

Such a fun night! So thankful for this memory!

A late night "night cap" of ice cream for the drive home.