Cheer Adventure in Pigeon Forge

 

Winnie and I got an unexpected early start to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Friday morning so we could beat the snowstorm—and thankfully, we did. The town was pretty much shut down ahead of the storm, which really hit on Saturday and ended up modifying the cheer competition schedule.

Xcel at the LeConte Center kicked things off Saturday evening with a preview and feedback session from the judges. The actual competition took place on Sunday. The Lady Nukes had a solid performance—not perfect, but strong. From what Winnie has shared, the team has really been pulling together and improving, which is so encouraging to see.

We were very thankful to make it home safe and sound Sunday night, just in time to be back to school on Monday!

Winnie's 15th Birthday!

 

Winnie’s 15th birthday wish came true—no school because of the extreme cold! It felt like a little winter gift just for her. Emerson surprised Winnie, Kit, and Sarah with breakfast upon waking, which made the morning feel extra special and celebratory right from the start.

She picked Bibibop for dinner, and Sarah brought the sweetest cupcakes that her mom, Becky, so kindly made. With Simon, Vinnie, and Sarah all there, it felt like a party despite the wild weather outside. We were also so grateful our neighborhood was plowed overnight so we could venture out for food and celebrate her special day together.

We are so very proud of Winnie. She is always singing around the house—beautifully, I might add—and she is a wonderful sister and daughter. She’s helpful, thoughtful, and studious, and she brings a quiet steadiness to everything she does. Winnie is deeply dedicated to her cheer team, staying committed and positive through both the highs and lows. We love you so much, Winnie.

Extra Snowy January!

 

January in Lewis Center, Ohio, delivered a real taste of winter this year. Around January 25, we got about a foot of snow, followed by freezing temperatures that kept everything locked in a deep winter chill.

The kids ended up having school off all week, which turned into a stretch of unexpected downtime. Emerson and Vinnie played a ton, soaking up the extra days together. Sarah and Winnie had lots of sleepovers, which made the week feel extra festive and fun. Kit and Simon managed to fit in time together as well, weaving their hangouts between hockey practices and musical commitments.

Kit's 17th Birthday!

 

Kit got a day off school on her birthday because it was so cold—an unexpected gift that turned into a fun four-day weekend for everyone. Winnie and Emerson were especially thoughtful, surprising her with special pancakes in bed to start the day off right.

There were kids coming in and out all day, stopping by to wish her a happy birthday, which made the house feel full and joyful. Simon got to come over too so they could hang out and celebrate together.

For dinner, Kit chose her favorites: Cane’s and Crumbl—simple, perfect birthday food.

I am so proud of you at 17, Kit. You have so much going for you: doing well in high school, attending the career center, knowing you want to work in healthcare, and taking two college classes this semester. On top of that, you’re involved in the musical, working when you can, and—most importantly—you are always so kind to others. 

Pizookies at BJ's

 

We redeemed our Christmas gift from Papa and GG and took the whole family—plus Simon—out to eat at BJ’s Brewhouse. The appetizers were a big hit, and the Pizookies were, of course, the real stars of the night. 

Emerson & Vinnie

 

Emerson has become fast friends with Vinnie, who lives within shouting distance. Vinnie is a polite little guy, and they spend as much time together as they can.

They both say the same thing about each other: “He’s the nicest friend I have!” And they mean it.

A Big Welcome for Little Philly

 

Welcome to the world, my new nephew, Philip “Philly” James Kaelber. He arrived two weeks early by C-section and still made quite an entrance—8 pounds, 7 ounces, and 20 inches long.

Everyone is doing great, and I can’t wait to meet him!

Winnie's First Drive

 

I took Winnie to SourcePoint for the first time so she could try her hand at driving the van. With her six-month mark for getting her temps almost here, it felt like a good time to begin.

She did a great job learning some of the basics: maneuvering, getting a feel for the size of the vehicle, and even parking. 

Kit's Accord Gets Customized

Kit had generous help from Simon, Charlie, and Zack installing a new dash in her Accord—bringing Apple CarPlay and a backup camera to life. 

She also replaced Kara’s pushpins with gray liner pins, and what a difference that simple change made. 

Seth and I were happy to be able to support her with a reliable—if older—car to help get her moving toward greater independence.

Ringing in 2026

We rang in the New Year with the Lubbens, Welches, and Filsons at Becky’s! Joey, just accepted into OSU, was amazing with the littles—playful, energetic, and completely in his element.

Meanwhile, Kit welcomed the New Year at her friend Emerson’s house (yep, another Emerson!), celebrating alongside Simon and several other friends.

May 2026 be lived in awareness, with open hearts, steady footing, and a sense of solidity and grace. May it be a year grounded in love, presence, and what truly matters.

Closing Out the Year with Starbucks

 

Kit, Winnie, Sarah, and I enjoyed drinks at Starbucks before our final shopping run of the year at Walmart. We braved the aisles together, laughing our way through this final 2025 errand.

Strong on the Ice

 

We all went to watch Simon play hockey, and it was an exciting game to see. The Bears easily defeated St. Francis Xavier School, but the win wasn’t the only memorable part of the night. At one point, Simon took a hard hit against the wall, and we were all holding our breath—so relieved to see that he was okay and able to continue.

He impressed us not just with his toughness, but with his maturity and thoughtfulness. Simon stepped away from his team to take a photo with Kit and say hello before heading back to the locker room.

A Day a COSI

 

Emerson and I took the day to go to COSI, and it was such a treat to have that time together. We explored how Pixar films are made and revisited our usual fun spots. Emerson’s favorite was the car area—especially the setup where he could draw and design race cars. 

A Car for Kit & Christmas Fun in Ketterin

We headed to Kettering the day after Christmas, starting with a test drive of Kara’s Honda Accord—which we ended up buying for Kit! We’re excited to fix the damaged headliner and add a backup camera and Apple Play system to make it just right for her.

We enjoyed brunch together and later shared pizza, keeping the day relaxed and fun. Aunt Meg introduced another round of Christmas Olympics minute games, which were a big hit. The younger kids especially loved playing darts and Star Wars games.

Aunt Kara and Uncle Cody brought over their CD collection for Winnie to choose from—she loves old-school CDs, and it was sweet to see her browsing and discovering music.