Announcements!

 Graduation announcements were delivered! This is getting real!

State!

Today is the day that the boys go to State for Esports Rocket League! Despite having to get up at 5AM, they were both so excited to attend the competition. Linn Mar was eliminated after the second round, but they still had so much fun. Ben's eyes lit up when he talked about the big screens and all the computers there! 

 

Job Shadow...

Conner and Ben were able to participate in a job shadow today at Alliant Energy. Peg and Brian helped us out by providing the transportation! The guys had a really good time, although neither one seemed to think they would like a job there. They said it was interesting and got to see a demonstration of what happens when a squirrel gets into a transformer. Ben said it was very loud!

 

College Visit...

 The guys were able to go to Marshalltown Community College today with their Rocket League team to explore the college and the Esports program they have there. Ben was impressed with the lunchroom food because there was such a huge variety of things to eat. Conner and Ben both sent us a message saying they wanted to attend college there! We reminded them that college also has classes to attend and homework to do... not just Esports! Conner asked if we could schedule another visit when I could go with them, so we might be making another trip to MCC again soon.

New...

We went to Bettendorf this weekend to see my parents new house and help move a few things over. It felt strange pulling up to a different house! But this house is amazing and will be great to spend time in! There is a small room in the basement and the kids all laid down in it to ponder what that space could be used for! The kitchen is absolutely amazing! After exploring the new place and making several trips back and forth, we spent the evening at their current home and celebrated my birthday along with our niece Piper's!

 

Team Shirts!

Ben and Conner are on the Esports Rocket League team at school. They think the team will qualify for State this year, so the team decided they needed a team shirt. The guys received them today and they were pretty excited. I especially like that their names are on the back!

Birthday...

Today is my birthday and after a long day at work, we made time to go out to eat and open a few presents! I love spending that time with my guys especially since we have all been so busy lately. It was nice to enjoy a meal out and just relax and laugh together. It was a wonderful night to celebrate Year 48!

 

Drawing!

Ben is in a drawing class at school and he is really enjoying it. He drew this picture of himself based on the photograph they took at school. I thought he did amazing and he was very dedicated to his art while he was working! Very impressive!

 

New Favorite...

Conner found a new favorite drink! Iced coffee... Conner and I went shopping today and grabbed some new snack items that he wanted to try and he decided he would like to drink coffee and settled on this cold brew. He really liked it!

 

Prize...

Nick won a new chainsaw! I got home and there it was, sitting on the table! Luckily he explained that he won it through a sweepstakes at work! He was pretty happy :)

 

Baking...

The boys and I had the day off from work and school. Ben wanted to learn how to make some cookies we had at Mama and Papa's for Christmas. Ritz and peanut butter dipped in chocolate seemed like a good idea and they tasted great even though the presentation could use some work! We had fun working together!

 

Arenacross...

We went out for dinner and headed to the PowerHouse tonight to watch Arenacross. Conner begged us for tickets so we ordered them a couple weeks ago. The guys had a great time! Conner informed us that he still wants a dirt bike, despite seeing some crashes tonight! When we got home, the boys watched the second half of the Seahawks vs 49ers game. 

 

Finals...

Conner and Ben had finals this week and brought home their final projects from their Metals class. Conner made a motocross track. It is hard to see but he put different obstacles and tracks into the stadium box. Ben made a rocket league arena complete with a car and ball. First Semester of their final year of high school is officially done!

Bet...

Conner and Ben made a bet last night when the 49ers played the Seahawks. Whoever lost had to wear a shirt for the other team today! The 49ers lost, so Ben borrowed some Seahawks gear from Conner!

 

Happy New Year 2026!