Another post, finally!

Wow, has it really been like 5 months since the last post? Geez! There really never is enough time to do everything you want to do. So... looking back to right after the last post, Kyle went to his first high school dance with Madison; they attended the Homecoming dance. I'm not sure either one of them were exactly thrilled with the whole "dance experience," but hopefully it won't be their last one.



Kyle seems to have adjusted to high school pretty well. He still has a big gang of buddies that he is always playing online video games with on the X-Box (including Madison). And while Kyle is getting through his first year of high school, Delaney is getting through her first year at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Skipping over a mild case of homesickness at the beginning, Delaney is really enjoying her college experience and doing very well in her school too.



And, of course, still playing soccer! She got the #22 (like someone else that we know), so that is pretty neat. She was able to play in every game this season. They didn't have a great record, but have something to build on for next year! They are moving into a new conference next season which includes playing Purdue Northwest. She even has a spring game in Hammond if anyone wants to come on out and see the Rangers play -- Saturday, April 7th.



In October, we had a family wedding to attend on Kenny's side of the family. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding at the same location where the reception was. It was a gorgeous old barn, renovated for events. They had lovely weather; everything was so pretty!



Then of course, Christmas was coming up. It was time to start getting things ready. Literally, my most stressful/exhausting/overwhelming time of the year. We tried to keep our shopping to a minimum, and we handmade a lot of gifts this year: ornaments, sewing projects, etc. It was a lot of work, but we were able to get everything done with a big sigh at the end when it was all over.



Also in December, it was time for the new Star Wars movie: The Last Jedi. A friend of Kenny's got us tickets to go see it right when it opened on the IMax. Sooooo awesome! Kyle invited Madison to come as well. Everyone thought the show was great, and the audience participation was pretty intense. :-)



Kenny's work had a dress-up Christmas lunch. His department's theme was National Lampoon Christmas Vacation. They were the hit of the event!  



Then it was time for all the Christmas get-togethers!!! Family and friends!!! Lots of food and presents and good times!!!



While it is always nice to get together with everyone, it is just as nice to have it all behind you and enjoy the rest of the Christmas vacation. Delaney's break was very long too! We read a lot, watched movies, played games and finished up several LEGO games to 100% as well: LEGO Dimensions, LEGO Undercover City and LEGO Ninjago. It was nice to have some down time and just have fun. Looking forward to more down time and LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 for Spring Break!!!



Delaney has been making some beautiful string art projects too. Here are a few she has made recently. (Thor REALLY wanted to help with the strings, but he was thwarted.)



February 28th was Rare Disease Day; a day that has become important to our family. Without awareness and fund raising for LAM, I wouldn't have my medication to slow down my illness. A huge, heartfelt thanks to anyone and everyone who has ever donated to the LAM Foundation. We can't thank you enough!



We've also had birthdays!!! First Loki turned a big 4 in October; it's hard to believe that we have had the little guy for four years. Delaney was at school for his birthday, so they were both missing each other a lot.



Then Delaney had her 19th birthday (* gasp *) in January, and Kenny and I both had our birthdays in February as well. My friend RuthAnn came up to celebrate with me on my birthday, and we had a great time just hanging out and making some projects. I made my first mini quilt!



Later this summer, my favorite singer Dierks Bentley will be releasing his ninth studio album: The Mountain. With the preorder, I received this cool necklace.



On a much sadder note, my grandmother Imogene just passed away. It wasn't a shocking event, she was a little over 96 -- she enjoyed a long and full life. She had been slipping away the last few years and didn't even remember who we were anymore. Instead of confusing her, when we visited her with my mom we didn't try to keep explaining to her who we were... rather we just enjoyed her company. In a way, I felt the grandmother I remember had been gone a while now. The grandmother I remember was so full of life -- always busy cooking, cleaning or working on her yard. Her house was always immaculate; from the basement to the attic, to every cabinet and pantry -- always spick and span! Family meals there always left you way too full, and there was always food left over. After both of my children's births, she came up and helped us out. Not all that much with cooking and cleaning (although I am sure she wanted to!), but instead with just holding my babies, rocking them to sleep, taking them for walks in their stroller -- just giving them love and attention so I could get things done and have a little break. It was such a blessing. My father's parents passed away when I was very young, and her husband Cecil passed away a little before Delaney was born. It's somber to think that all my grandparents are no longer with us.



Love,
 Ken, Dani, Dee & Kyle