A Day of Basketball (And Arena Football)

Saturday morning we traveled to Cedar Rapids to see Landon and then Owen play in their basketball games.  They play in a league called "Upward" and held at area churches.

Landon - #14

Owen - #13

Landon invited two friends for pizza, Titans arena football game and sleepover to celebrate his birthday.

Landon with his friends

At the Titans game

The Basketball Season 2014-15

Landon Turns Nine!

Our oldest grandson, Landon, turns 9 years old!  Don and I surprised him on his birthday by showing up to have lunch with him at school.

Then Saturday afternoon the family helped him celebrate with a soccer theme.  Landon and Owen both had basketball games earlier in the day so the party began at 3:00 with an impending snow storm.  Luckily the snow held off until after the party.

Dressed in their soccer shirts and ready to party!

Happy birthday, dear Landon!

Photo Booth time!

Judy and Jim

Great grandma Janet and grandpa Joe

Great grandma Iva

Papa and Nana!

Grandpa and Grandma Kahler

Holly and Ben Kahler

Christmas/New Years!

This was our year to have the kids and grandkids during the New Years time rather than Christmas.  The Bauer Thanks/Christmas was held the Saturday after Thanksgiving and was in an earlier post.  Don and I hosted a Christmas dinner and invited mom, dad, Judy, Jim, Dorothy, Darrel and Janet.  We had a fun and relaxing dinner and afternoon even though mom and dad didn't come.  Dad has been recovering from being sick.  I packed up the left-overs and we headed to their house for the Christmas evening.  Judy and Jim joined us there.

Saturday was the annual large extended Showalter gathering at the Kalona Mennonite Church.  Thanks to Darrel and Janet for hosting and arranging that day!

Sunday we were off to brunch at Dave and Cathy's.  Yummy food and time to catch up with Don's four brothers and their families made for a lovely day.

Sunday evening Brent and his family arrived at our house.  Let the family time begin!  Melissa and her family joined us on Tuesday and we all enjoyed several days and nights together.

Special Times With Boys!

Friday, December 5th we took off for Brownsburg to spend the weekend at the Showalter home.  We arrived just after they got home from school and when Cade and Kasen opened the door for us they were surprised as they didn't know we were coming.  Big eyes and lots of smiles from all three boys!  After much playing in the playroom the adults went out to Mo's.  Saturday included more play time and the surprise of Grandpa and Grandma Cherry arriving.  We had a fun afternoon and mixing up sugar and gingerbread cookies and getting them cut out and baked.  Brent and Don went to the Big Ten conference championship game and we relaxed.  Sunday brought more fun - frosting/decorating the cookies and off to the Circus!

A big helper with cookie making

Cade and I worked on the sugar cookies

Kasen and Grandma Cherry made gingerbread cookies

Brent and April prepping supper

Sunday decorating the cookies

What a special time together!

Off to the Ringling Bros Circus

Sunday after the circus Don and I headed home.  Landon and Owen came over to spend the night!  They didn't have school on Monday so they stayed for the day.

Snuggling with papa before bed.

Playing a football game Monday morning.

Owen taught me a new game.  He won!