Ladies' Christmas 2025

 

Another ladies’ Christmas is in the books! We missed having Mom, Heather, and Molly with us and were thinking of them. The evening was full of cozy fun with an ornament exchange for the ladies, a gift exchange for the kids, and a build-your-own chicken and bean tortilla bar. Plus, Seth and Andy had time to catch up (would have been even better had the Bengals won!).

Sledding Fun

 

While we still had snow, Emerson and I got over to Glenross for some sledding — bumpy, fast, and frigid!

Hello, December

 

We’ve started December with some fun moments. We made snack bags for the Van Buren YMCA shelter. Then we had a snow day, and the kids played outside a lot. Emerson ended up at Becky’s, where Sarah invited him to decorate cookies with his friends. And Snowball, our Elf on the Shelf, returned this year & brought a train for the Christmas tree.

Emerson's Letter to Santa

 

"Hey, Santa, can I have a Babe Ruth card?"

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

 

We had a different kind of Thanksgiving this year with Kit feeling under the weather, but it still turned into a sweet day. Our morning started with watching the parade together, and Emerson taught himself to rollerblade in the garage. We shared a nice lunch before Seth, Winnie, and Emerson headed to Kettering. During the meal, we each shared what we were thankful for, which sparked Emerson’s creativity—he grabbed paper and traced his hand so we could write one gratitude on each finger. 

Kit and I relaxed, watched a show, napped, and enjoyed a relaxed dinner together. Meanwhile, Winnie helped Kara with her car so we could get a sense of what it would feel like to have Kit sit behind the wheel soon. (Note: this photo of Kit was taken a couple of days later when she was a bit better.)

It wasn’t our usual Thanksgiving, but it still full of gratitude!

Stairway Refresh

I am so thankful we were able to complete this stairway makeover! The new newel post and railing bring so much beauty and charm compared to the old partial wall. It opens up the space, fits the style of our home, and adds such nice architectural interest.

We also enjoyed having Tyler back to do the project — he’s done great work for us before. And getting the painting touched up (three walls, three different colors — believe it or not!) before Thanksgiving felt like such a win. The whole space just feels fresh, open, and complete!

YoungLife Fall Weekend

 

The girls spent the weekend at YoungLife’s Fall Retreat at Heartland Retreat Center, where their cousin Reagan works. They had so much fun and came home happily exhausted

Sunday Hoops at the Y

 

Emerson is having a great time playing basketball at the YMCA on Sundays! It’s been fun to watch his confidence grow each week. He’s a fast runner on the court, and you can tell he’s loving every minute of the game.

Kit Joins National Honor Society

 

Congratulations to Kit on being inducted into the National Honor Society! She has worked so hard to meet the organization’s standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character — and we couldn’t be more proud.

It was also wonderful to watch many of her friends be inducted alongside her during the beautiful ceremony in the BHS auditorium.

Kit Shines Bright as Student of the Month

 

A big congratulations to Kit for being selected as Student of the Month by her BHS math teacher, Mr. Gray! He shared that he only gets to choose a student about once every two years — which makes this recognition extra special.

In his remarks, Mr. Gray said that Kit brings joy to the classroom. Her positive attitude and genuine engagement make teaching rewarding. He even mentioned that he can always tell from her expressions whether she understands a concept or needs more clarity — a sign of how actively she participates in learning.

Lady Nukes Go Orange—First Competition

 

I had a great time supporting Winnie at the Lady Nukes' very first competition — GMCE Go Orange in Fairfield, Ohio! She was definitely feeling those pre-performance nerves, but once the team hit the floor, they came together beautifully and delivered an awesome routine.

Winnie loved having her team perform early so she could relax afterward and cheer on the other groups throughout the day.

Hockey Win

 

The whole family went to watch Simon play hockey, and he was good on the ice! The Bears had a great win against Gahanna Lincoln!

No pictures of Simon and Kit this time, unfortunately. And a shoutout to Emerson who made a special fan sign but accidentally left it at home!

A Birthday Treasure

 

I am treasuring this beautiful collection of sweet messages from the kids for my birthday. Their kind words and love made my heart so full. 

A Cozy Escape to Athens

 

A huge thank you to Grandma Jo for staying with the kids! Her generosity allowed Seth and me to sneak away for a much-needed, cozy time in Athens.

We stayed at the Deer Ridge Bed and Breakfast, a long-time favorite spot run by wonderful hosts, Peter and Linda. Their hospitality is unbeatable.

The weather certainly added to the atmosphere! It was fairly cold, with a light snowfall, creating the perfect excuse for maximum relaxation. Our agenda was simple: watching shows, reading, and taking naps. The cold, wet conditions limited our outdoor activity—we managed a lovely half-hour walk by the university, but that was plenty for me!

Even with the cold outside, we enjoyed wonderful warmth and great food. We had a nice, relaxing dinner at The Side Bar. Peter and Linda treated us to a wonderful, hearty vegan breakfast each morning, along with plenty of snacks. It was the perfect, restorative getaway.

MWX Showcase 2025

 

With the first competition just one week away, the Lady Nukes hit the mat for the MWX Showcase, giving them a chance to show off all their hard work. 

Winnie’s support crew included Seth, Emerson, Grandma Jo, and myself (Kit was cheering her on from work). Winnie is excelling as both a "base" (the foundational position that lifts and supports the flyer in stunts) and a tumbler. Her dedication really shone through!

Best Concert Ever: The Magic of Paul McCartney

 

Seth and I had the chance to witness a rock and roll legend! We attended Paul McCartney's "Got Back" Tour at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, and the show was beyond amazing.

At 83 years young, Paul McCartney put on a masterclass in musical longevity and sheer stamina. He performed for nearly three straight hours, covering an impressive 35 songs! The setlist was a journey through music history, featuring iconic tracks from The Beatles, his time with Wings, and his extensive solo career. His memory and energy were astounding—an inspiration for sure. 

We were incredibly impressed by the quality and tightness of his long-time band: Paul "Wix" Wickens (musical director, keyboards, and more), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar), and Abe Laboriel Jr. (drums and infusion of comedy!), plus the Hot City Horns brass trio. 

Beyond the music, Paul's personality shone through. He was so funny, down-to-earth, and genuinely loving toward the sold-out crowd, which spanned all ages. The entire night was filled with sing-along opportunities, creating an electric atmosphere.

A highlight we will never forget was the performance of "Live and Let Die." The pyrotechnics were so powerful and perfectly orchestrated. Paul gave lovely tributes to John and George, and he shared stories dating back to the 60s. For both of us, this was the best concert ever!