Ultimate game #3
Ultimate frisbee game at MG this afternoon. The field was pretty soggy as evidenced by the players’ backs and legs.
Tag: outside
New snowboard 🏂
February 2023
I have never owned my own brand new snowboard. Until now. Gave the new equipment a go after demo-ing a Solomon board a few weeks ago. I went with a basic K2 one and really like it!
Unfortunately, my second time out on it, I took a hard fall to my lower back and was done for the season. 😔 Until next year!
2nd Snow Day of 2023!
Day 2 of school being cancelled for the girls and this time Shecklet #2’s district cancelled as well. Shecklet #1’s school won’t ever cancel due to weather since he’s online, but Wednesdays are not usually a heavy day for him, so he got to enjoy the snow along with his siblings.
I think the final total from this latest snowstorm ended up being around 14 inches.
The snow was perfect for packing, so naturally, Jake and the kids built a sledding track. And not just any sledding track, but one that has been talked about for years. They piled the snow up and over the back fence.
1st Snow Day of 2023!
We are expecting several inches and strong winds, so the girls’ school decided to declare a snow day. They were on break prior to Christmas when Shecklet #2’s school district did the same, so I’m guessing that’s part of the reason behind the cancellation. The boys on the other hand, both had to return to their classes.
After playing outside for a while, the girls came in an made fancy hot cocoa drinks.
Day 2 in STL – 2022
It rained again overnight and was still muggy when we got our day started. We planned to meet our friends at the City Museum at 12:30, which gave us just enough time to do a quick run through the STL Zoo. And when I say run, I’m only exaggerating a bit. My kids questioned my speed-walking on a couple of occasions as we navigated the strollers and animal seekers on the zoo paths.
On our way back to the truck we stopped outside the art museum. Shecklet #1’s current thoughts on his future career include being an electrician, so of course I had to have him stand next to the giant electrical plug!
The last time we visited the City Museum was September of 2016. Our kids have grown a bit since then and were able to venture off by themselves for a good portion of our time today. They came back with lots of stories about where they went and how much fun it was to explore on their own. The rooftop was closed (because it’s winter) but the outside was open for climbing. The kids spent a good portion of their time out there as well as inside in the caves.
After saying goodbye to our friends, we made a quick stop at the Cathedral to see our friend Fr. J. We are heading home tomorrow and he will be returning to school in Rome in a few days. I am so glad it worked out for us to get to see him!
It won’t be long and Shecklet #3 will be taller than her Godfather!
Day 1 in STL – 2022
This morning, Shecklet #4 and I went on a walk in search of decent coffee. Hotel coffee leaves much to be desired. I never thought of my self as a coffee snob, but the longer I drink it, the more particular I become. Perhaps that’s because I don’t like strong coffee and I miss my daily cup from the Keurig.
Our journey took us down the “Historic Main Street” of St. Charles, MO. The temps were pleasant (much nicer than back home) and it was a bit muggy from having rained overnight. After several blocks, we found a cute coffee shop where I ordered a vanilla latte and then we headed back to our hotel.
Our friend, (Shecklet #3’s Godfather) who is in STL for the Christmas season, met us at Immaculata Catholic Church and said Mass for our family and our friends, who were also in STL for the week. The church was beautiful. (Photo credit below goes to Shecklet #2 who asked to take photos of it after Mass.)
After Mass, we gathered in the rectory for lunch. Msgr. Gardin was kind enough to open his kitchen and dining room to our group. Fr. J. and Jake grilled steaks and burgers and Fr. J. prepared sea bass and sides. It was wonderful to get to share a meal with this great group! Sometimes God does show you why things don’t work out like you originally planned.
After lunch, Jake took the teenagers and tweens to the mall to see a movie – Avatar 2 in 3D. I went with our friends to the other side of the river (Troy, IL,) for a few hours. Before returning to MO, we drove down the highly-decorated street of our friend’s brother. The houses in the cul-de-sac go all-out and even have lights choreographed to music on a radio station. It is quite the sight!
After the movie ended, our group went to The Hill in search of a restaurant. We ended up at an authentic pizza place. Shecklet #2 said the pizza was some of the best he’s ever had. For dessert, we crossed the street and had gelato. Yum!
Hanging Lights 2022 🎄
Shecklet #1 is in his element tonight. Grandma Lois called and asked if he would hang her Christmas lights again this year. He said yes, of course! Jake drove him down to her house tonight in an effort to beat the cold temps that are coming our way tomorrow. I’m excited to see how they turn out!
Biking at Elm Creek 🚴♂️
I took three Shecklets to the single track trails at Elm Creek this afternoon. The weather was beautiful and the trails were not busy at all.
The small bridge in the picture below proved slightly tricky for me. My balance is pretty decent most of the time, but for some reason when I’m tasked with staying on an elevated structure without sides, my head gets a little wonky. Thankfully, being off balance didn’t send me off the edge 😆
After riding for about two hours we grabbed dinner on our way to ultimate frisbee. Eight teams played tonight! It was great to spend the day outside!
Opening skiing 2022!
Trollhaugen has been making snow during this current October cold snap we’ve been having. The Trolls sent and email saying the slopes would be open for a few hours today.
Jake took the girls to get their first lift ticket of their 2022-2023 ski pass. (The boys had youth group tonight, so they stayed back with me.)
Summer Saturday
We went back to Carver Lake for an afternoon of riding.
And then went to visit Aunt Kari. The guys dismantled a pallet and we did a little yard work for fun 😊.
We burned the pallet wood and had s’mores, too.
