1st Time Sledding

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon to go sledding today! 

We had to make sure we didn't stay out too long because we had to get in our naps before a birthday party later on in the day. 

This is the first time that Aubrey went sledding and she loved it! 

Here are a few pictures and videos to capture our short 1/2 hour out in the snow with Mommy and Daddy.

We got out the sled in the garage and tested it out....okay, we're ready to go!

Check out Aubrey's excited face! First time ever - here we go!

Now Mommy and Aubrey go for a ride!

Weeeeeeeeee!

Aubrey loved it and screamed the whole way down.

Daddy getting Aubrey set to go!

Push, Daddy!

She got off and then climbed back up to the top each time. 

Aubrey pushing Mommy this time!

Notice she had to take off her gloves to get a good grip ;)

A fun time sledding on a Sunday afternoon.

Here's the video of her very first time(s) checking out sledding!

Aubrey getting the hang of it and getting out and walking back up again.

The final one - -  getting good at it now, going faster and longer!

Mall with Daddy

Here is a special edition from Steve. Prepare to LAUGH :)

(PS - this was only a 20 minute long excursion)

So we had this great idea to go to Des Moines for the afternoon. And to save some time we thought that I would be dropped off at Helzbergs in the Mall to get our rings cleaned and Jen would go to Once Upon a Child. We knew we couldn't leave Aubrey in the car watching Dora, so she went with me.

As soon as I stepped foot in the mall with Aubrey in my arms, she started throwing a fit because she wanted to walk.  So I put her down and she then proceeded to run all through Younkers.  

Then it was time to go upstairs and she LOVED the escalators. When we got to Helzbers, I give them the rings. They found out that Jen's center stone was very loose so they had to send it in.  Meanwhile, Aubrey is still continuing to want to run all over the mall while I was trying to take care of business at Helzbergs. 

As soon as we left the store, I noticed there was an odor coming from Aubrey. I said, "Are you poopy?" Aubrey then proceeded to lay herself down in the middle of the walkway ready to be changed. Unfortunately, that is not a good place to chance a diaper and I also did not have any supplies for diaper changing as Jen had them with her. So we continued our mall walk (and by walk, I mean RUN) with a text from Jen saying she had about 15 minutes left at her store. 

She ran past this old couple who was definitely "mall walking" and the older woman said, "Oh, she is faster than we are!" She continued to run past every store barely looking in until she comes to this bridal store that had ring bearer suits and flower girl dresses. She decided to run into that store and HUGGED the trio of mannequins on both sides, including one without a head. At that point, I said it is time to leave the store.

So we ran clear to the other end of the mall where we decided to go downstairs and upstairs and downstairs  again via the escalators. While we were downstairs, she continued to feel the need to run and run all past all kinds of stores, until she thought she had to do some shopping.  This time she decided not to use the door but tried to run RIGHT THROUGH THE GLASS! Now, with a crying poopy daughter and nothing to comfort her, we found the waterfalls in the middle of the mall that was soothing to her that she loved looking at. 

Finally, I got a text from Jen that said she was on her way to get us. So, I said, "Let's go find Mommy!" So that meant Aubrey continued running through the mall shouting, "Mommy, where are ya?!" And this time as we went back through Younkers she thought she needed to touch everything we walked/ran by. 

Finally we made it out of the mall and got the diaper changed. Then we could continue on with our evening with the three of us. Next time, when we pick up Jen's ring, it will be a trip without Aubrey or Mommy comes along too. 

Video(s) Update - pt 2

Here's a few more videos to enjoy of our day to day life!

This one if Aubrey taking a bath and Mommy rinsing her hair.

She doesn't like it when it all gets in her face!

Aubrey is really into playing hide and seek a lot lately.

Here she thought she found a good spot to hid and practiced counting too!

Daddy and Aubrey enjoying a Valentine's Fun Dip for the first time :)

It was snowing outside so Aubrey wanted to get a closer look.

She then found it fun to lick the cold glass on the window!

Video(s) Update - pt 1

We have not been taking a lot of photos lately, but here are a few fun videos of our daily life.

As always, please ignore the over talking Mommy and Daddy :)

Thanks "Grandma Grouw" for showing us this "A is for Apple"

video on you tube. Aubrey is quickly catching on and loves 

to watch in when she is not distracted :)

Okay, so VERY sorry for the crazy talk from Mommy.

We were having too much fun playing chase.

And, watch til the very end...oops, Aubrey!

Heavy Hearts

It is with a very heavy heart that I sit down and officially type that our girls basketball season has come to an end for the year. 

Last night the #10 Lady Indians played a Fairfield team at home in the second round. This is a team who has come from out of nowhere and put on a great show during the playoffs. They beat a tough Mt. Pleasant team before they had to play us. We were hoping this was a game we could win, but it wasn't in the cards for us last night.

It was an INTENSE game the whole game through with a very intense Fairfield crowd and a packed gym for us, too. Definitely a loud playing atmosphere. Our team was down at halftime by 9 and it seemed things were slipping away all too quickly. Unfortunately the 2nd quarter was brutal as one of the Fairfield players went on a huge run of hitting four three pointers! 

We came back with a fire after halftime and even got it tied and the lead for just a bit. It was a game of runs and we ran out of time in the end.  At the end of the quarter, our all-state point guard and next best shooting guard both fouled out- Seniors at that. In the end, it wasn't enough and our lack of defense early in the game cost us our last game of the season. The final score was Fairfield 54, Oskaloosa 49. We ended the season with an 18-5 record.

SUCH A HEARTACHE! 

I know you can say just a game but when you have been personally invested in this team for years and have spent countless hours trying to make this a season to remember, it hurts and not just a little...a lot! This was supposed to be our shot at state, it is just devastating. These coaches and girls have put in the time and effort and have wanted it so badly, and it comes to an end all too soon. Steve has been a great coach and has done extremely well with this team and it hurts to know that the better team is not moving on. Steve did a fabulous job on the radio interview after the game and kept it very classy and even gave a shot out to me, his lovely wife - yes, the tears were definitely flowing at that time. 

So, yes, we can say it was a year filled with records and a season you can only dream of, but the ultimate dream of making it to state has faded and we probably won't have another chance for years to come. This was our time and our time is now done. 

Final Rankings

OH BABY!

Class 4A

		School		Record		LW
1		Sioux City Bishop Heelan		18-3		1
2		Waverly-Shell Rock		19-2		3
3		Benton Community		19-2		5
4		Indianola		14-7		2
5		Cedar Rapids Xavier		12-9		4
6		Dallas Center-Grimes		16-5		9
7		Lewis Central		18-3		12
8		Harlan		19-2		6
9		North Scott		13-8		7
10		Oskaloosa		18-4		15
11		Western Dubuque		17-4		13
12		Winterset		15-5		11
13		Clear Lake		17-4		14
14		Ballard		14-7		8
15		Perry		15-5		10

Sunday Fun

We have come to really enjoy our time at home on Sundays as a family. During the week everyone is so busy, so it's nice to just spend some quality time together. Here is what kept us entertained today:) 

Aubrey was having a fun time with her Elmo sticker book (thanks Josh and Jess)

and placing the stickers everywhere!

Having fun.

Sorry for the tmi...pooping position...

...still working on it...

...almost there ;)

"Cheese, Mommy!"

Now here's something you don't see every day:

Aubrey with an inside-out bib (not meal time)

an old throw up bucket

collecting her bows in the bucket

while sitting on the kitchen floor....NICE, Aubrey!

AND, we had to put all the bows in her hair again.

 Daddy is on diaper duty! Proof he does help out, 

unfortunately for him they are often very dirty when it's his turn :)

Reading books with Mommy

I found a book that I got from my friend Leah before I was married

that was all about Cinderalla getting married.

Little did I know, that six years later, my daughter would be reading 

that book and wanting to tear out the "princess crown" - too fun!

Thanks, Leah!

 

 Here are just a couple of other pictures that I had on my camera.

Aubrey wearing my "Where's Waldo" hat.

And one afternoon things were too quiet and I looked over and Aubrey

had found a hole in the couch pillow and proceeded to pick out the stuffing

one piece at a time and had quite the stash before I noticed.

BUSTED, Aubrey Dawn!

18-4

Yippee! That was a close one tonight! The team traveled to Norwalk for their final regular season game of the year and a chance to win conference. We had to win tonight vs. Norwalk and PC had to lose against Grinnell. We did our part, but PC won, so that means that we got 2nd in the conference...bummer! So close!

The game tonight did not come easily. Aubrey and I made the long trek over and of course Grandma Char and Grandpa Craig were there too. We managed to maintain a lead for the entire game until there was 20 seconds left and it was a 3 point game. Norwalk had to make a three to tie it and send it into OT and they did! UGH, then we had about 10 seconds to get a shot off for the win and we had a chance, but it didn't go it so it sent it into OT with a score of 34-34. 

THANKFULLY the girls hung on and pulled it out with a 46-39 win which came down to a couple free throws at the end, including an extra two from our best player from an intentional foul! It feels good to get this momentum going into play-offs next week! We get a bye in the first round so we don't play until next Saturday! There will be one final rankings list out by Tuesday. I'll try to update when we know more. Right now we are ranked #15 still, but have won our last three games so that could change...stay tuned :) 

CONGRATULATIONS on the best regular season record for the 

Girls Basketball team in the history of Oskaloosa!

17-4

AND, we keep on rolling! It was our second to last regular season game! I can't believe it! The girls traveled to Newton, which meant Aubrey and I stayed home and enjoyed our time together at home with supper, books, bath, and some Nickelodeon while we listened to the game on the radio instead.

It seemed that the game appeared to be about an 8 point difference for most of the time where Newton would get about there, and we would hold them off. At the end of the game we put on the pressure and were able to make some free throws when it counted. Coach Kaisand said on the radio interview that although it was a physical game, the team did a good job taking care of the ball, working hard on defense, and stalling the Newton's run at it. The final was 54-41. 

Our LAST regular season game will be vs. Norwalk on Friday. Stay tuned :)

16-4

Tonight was our "Coaches vs. Cancer" game vs. #2 ranked Indianola at home!
(our last regular season game at home for this season)

We knew it would be a tough game but the girls came prepared! After starting off a bit slow, things finally picked up and we were up be a few going into the half! Things kept rolling for us and we came out with a HUGE win 52-35! That's a 17 point victory for a #15 ranked team (us) beating a #2 ranked team! Way to go coaches and girls! What a sweet victory it was! There was also a silent auction that I know the team and coaches put a lot of time and effort into to raise money for cancer - I hope they made what they were hoping for! 

I did take my camera tonight for the "pink out" - so enjoy!

Check out the AWESOME pink unis for the "Coaches vs. Cancer" game!

Coach Kaisand giving the starting 5 their pep talk!

Getting ready for the "Star Spangled Banner"

Aubrey standing with her hand on her heart in her pink attire too :)

Let's go girls! We can do this!

Time-out game plan....that's a lot of pink!

Aubrey LOVING the cheerleaders as usual!

Trying to get a nice picture...

but Aubrey wanted the camera so badly! :(

HAPPY DANCE for Coach Kaisand with the W!

Grandma Char and Aubrey in the pink attire!

Wohoo! We WIN! 

It was SNOW fun!

On Wednesday, we had our first SNOW DAY of the year! 

We ended up getting about 6 inches of snow and now it has turned to bitter cold! BRRRR! 

But since Steve and I both had the day off we spent our time in our jammies with Aubrey, watching movies, playing games, scooping some snow, taking a nap, and just enjoying some family time which was wonderful to do (especially in the middle of basketball season and full-time teaching!)

Our first real snow fall in our new place.

This is looking out onto Carbonado. Where is our drive way?

Good husband, Steve shoveling by HAND since we 

don't have a blade or snow blower!

That's a LONG ways, thanks!

Our backyard full of snow!

The front steps....SNOW!

We took Aubrey out to really experience the snow!

Steve took some snow in the garage for Aubrey to check out.

She was not a fan.

Going for a snowy stroll in the backyard with Daddy!

(Cute finger there Daddy willing to lend a hand, awww :))

Awww, I love them so much!

Good one, Aubrey and Daddy!

(No pics of Mommy; she was still in her jammies too :))

"Helping" Daddy shovel is so much fun!

Aubrey checking out the snow in the garage.

Not too interested :)