August 2025

We officially have a high schooler.  Allison has spent a lot of time at Bishop Chatard High School all summer long, but her first day of school was cool and a lot different then how I was welcomed 30+ years ago.  On her first day, as you drive to drop them off, several hundred students line the streets welcoming the freshman to the school. All being said, it was quite embarrassing for the new students but it sounds like they have been doing this for years.  Allison made the freshman volleyball team and has enjoyed making new friends as the season has progressed.  Her volleyball team has had four games and they are 2-2.  She is also studying more than she had to in grade school, but that was expected.  Overall, she was ready for the “next step” and seems to be thriving in her new environment.  All things take adjustment, so as she is dealing with her new surroundings, we are getting used to not seeing her as much during the week due to school and practice.  We are also adapting to her desire to be driven on the weekend to the football game or hanging out with friends.  She has also got very comfortable taking a nap just about wherever she lays down each weekend. 

 

            Sarah’s first day of school went well.  She is in 7th grade now and she tells us this is the “hardest” grade because the teachers take it easy on the 6th graders as they transition to middle school and the 8th graders have made it to the last year.  Not sure if any of that is true, but she has been studying some evenings if she isn’t off playing one of her sports (softball or basketball).

 

            We upgraded our grill this month, along with adding some paver stones and getting a gas firepit.  We added some Adirondack chairs and put a TV bracket on the house so we can sit outside more often.  It looks great and we have spent a lot of time out there enjoying it. 

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s fall softball schedule will be one practice a week with games on Sundays starting in September.  She is also playing basketball which can be 1-2 practices a week along with games on Saturdays.  She will also start playing volleyball in a few weeks as she had evaluations in August.  

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison is doing well (as mentioned above) and on a social side, has met up with friends and attended 2 football games.  Her plans can change quickly…but we have been warned about that and tried to be flexible. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• Sarah and Debbie had a private cooking class at a bakery where they made hundreds of macarons. 
• Beth and I went to a comedy show in Carmel. 
• We went to the annual “Smokefest” hosted by the Steffey’s.  It was great to see everyone. 
• I went with Jeremy to see LIV golf in Westfield.  It was a fun experience even with the very hot weather. 
• Over this past weekend, I got a chance to play golf with several of my high school buddies at River Glen. 

July 2025

         As I’m finally sitting down for the monthly memoirs and it is late August, it is pretty evident that we have been busy adapting to life with a high schooler along with getting Sarah back to school.  But those are all things that occurred in August, so let us see what I can remember from July. 

 

            We traveled 3 times in July and our first trip was over July 4th weekend where we went to South Haven, MI.  It was our first time there and we enjoyed 2 days at the beach with good weather along with a fun downtown area we walked around for dinner, ice cream and the girls found some shirts they bought.  The 2nd trip was our annual trip to Beachmo in St. Joseph, MI where we had a good time catching up with family, playing euchre and celebrating my mom’s 75th birthday. 

 

            The last trip of the month had us traveling to Grand Lake, CO.  We flew out on a Tuesday and after a small delay and a 2.5-hour drive from the airport, we arrived at 11PM to our cabin.  The first morning, Sarah and I went to the grocery store for a few things before we drove to go rafting down the Colorado river.  The trip was a few hours and we went through a few class 2 and 3 rapids, but mostly enjoyed floating down the river and jumping off some rocks into the river.  We enjoyed Grand Lake Pizza that evening and everyone fell asleep after a few games of Uno.  The next day, we got up early and drove into Rocky Mountain National Park and drove to Alpine Visitor Center which was 11,800 feet elevation.  We completed the Ute trail (8-mile) that had us above the tree line and we went down to a lake before hiking back.  We barely made it back before a storm arrived and we saw a little snow.  As we drove back, we stopped at the Grand Lake Lodge and had an appetizer and a beer, as the view is fantastic and called “America’s front porch.”  We went to Sagebrush BBQ that night for dinner and the girls got some ice cream.  The last full day in Grand Park, we hiked Cascade falls (7 miles), and the trailhead was nearby the town.  This area was devastated by the wild fires in 2020, but the falls was a great spot to sit and relax before hiking back.  We went to Rockies for dinner that evening and then left town the next morning to head toward the hotel and stop at Winter Park to enjoyed some of their summer activities.  We had fun on the alpine slide, the gondola ride, the climbing wall and played around of putt-putt.  Unfortunately, our flight was delayed 3 hours on the way home, so we got home at 3AM and everyone was moving a little slow on Sunday.  We laid low, picked up Timber and got ready for the week ahead. 

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s softball season continued as she was part of the all-star team that got a chance to play 2 games in the state tournament before being eliminated.  It was a fun experience to play in such a cool stadium against some very good teams.  Sarah also attended the CKS girls’ basketball camp.  She and I also made our annual stop at the local farmers market where all Sarah really wants is a breakfast sandwich that seems to cost more each year!  Sarah spent a week at CYO camp where she got a chance to share a cabin with many of her friends and do all the activities she has come to love every year. 

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison has continued to participate in the volleyball and basketball workouts all of July.  Without having summer school classes like she did in June; this made her schedule a little easier to handle.  She also had her last IGB tournament of this season and they played well in their last outing.  Allison also had some oral surgery to have a wisdom tooth pulled to help her teeth come in so she can get ready for braces. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• We went to a Fever game on July 3rd to watch them play the Aces and they won.  
• Olivia and Ava were visiting Randy and Anna for a week, so Anna brought them down for a day to spend with Allison and Sarah so they enjoyed volleyball, Legos and just hanging out. 
• For Debbie’s birthday, she and I went out to dinner with the O’Rourkes.  Allison helped us pick out some new clothes from Athleta since Sarah was at camp that week. 
• I played my annual round of golf with some guys from church at Fort Ben and then went out for lunch and beers afterwards. 
• Debbie helped organize the used uniform sale again for the school. 

June 2025

            June was a busy month, especially for Allison who started her high school summer classes and workouts for volleyball and basketball.  Our entire family volunteered at the summer social at church and it was another success. 

 

            Allison started summer school along with probably 75% of the other freshman at Chatard in early June.  The 3-week Health course went from 8AM until 11:30AM, 5 days a week for 3 weeks.  It allows for the kids to get on campus and meet each other instead of waiting until August.  She has also been attending some workouts, with volleyball being 3 mornings a week at 6AM and basketball 3 evenings a week.  She also volunteered for the softball and basketball camps, which she enjoyed hanging out with the upperclassman.  As part of her basketball workouts, they had an opportunity to practice with Chatard at Gainbridge fieldhouse (where the Pacers and Fever play).  The same evening, the entire program took a bus to a Fever game. 

 

            Each June, our church has a Summer Social where the entire parking lot and streets around turn into a small festival.  Starting on Monday after Father’s Day, we unload the semi and start working each evening until it is ready on Friday.  I help with the setup, Deb led the ticket booth, Allison helped Debbie this year and Sarah worked the prize booth with her friends.  This year, the entire week was very humid and hot, which concerned us that maybe people may not show up, but they did and the entire weekend was a great time.

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s softball season ended in the championship game where they lost in the last inning.  They played great and Sarah enjoyed playing first base.  She is playing for the all-star team and has also started seeing a hitting coach.  Sarah attended basketball, volleyball, and softball camps at Chatard and enjoyed the time with friends.  She also tried out for the Jr. Trojans basketball team and is looking forward to starting that up in late July and August.

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             As mentioned above, Allison’s June was very busy and she has quickly learned how much time management it will take to do the things she wants to do.  The hard part will be when there is homework added to her plate.  She is adapting well and we are looking forward to her first day in August.   

 

A few more items from this month:

• Sarah tagged along with me to work in early June for our annual meal packing volunteer event followed by bowling at Pinheads.  There were a few kids around, so she enjoyed participating. 
• I met up with Brian, Gareth, and John for a few beers at GiGi’s.  It has been about a year since we had seen each other, so we had plenty to catch up on. 
• All of us went to a customer appreciation event for Lake City Bank (the bank we use at work).  It was a hot Friday evening, but the girls enjoyed the catered dinner and seeing some baseball.
• We took the girls to Top Golf on a cloudy Sunday late in June to get out of the house.  None of us are good at golf, but that place seems to make anyone feel like they are not as bad as the really are.

May 2025

             May is always a busy month as it usually includes many sports and the end of the school year, but this year was a little different with Allison graduating from 8th grade. 

      The biggest thing that the 8th grade does in May is take a trip to Washington, D.C.  They flew out on a Wednesday morning at 6AMand seeing the sights all day until 9PM.  They were up early on Thursday and took a bus to Gettysburg along with seeing more of D.C.  They flew home on Friday evening and she was exhausted and ready for some sleep.  She really enjoyed the trip and it was fun hanging out with her classmates.  Another tradition at the school is May Crowning, which is a special mass for the 8th graders and ends with them putting a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary.  She graduated on the Wednesday after Memorial Day, with a mass at the church and dinner in the gym afterwards.  My mom, Beth, Anna and Randy attended the graduation with us and Allison shared some tears with her friends as the night came to an end. As a graduation present, I took the following day off and went with Allison to Kings Island.  We survived riding roller coasters and water slides throughout the day, along with a cup of coffee on my way home to keep me awake. 

             Chuck & Heather along with the Shafers came to Indy over Memorial Day weekend.  The Shafers stayed with us while Chuck & Heather stayed with the Cyphers.  We were fortunate enough to get parade tickets on Saturday, so several of the group went to that while Randy, Kyle and I went out to lunch and a few beers.  The Cyphers, Randy and Anna, along with Kyle and myself went to the race on Sunday.  Our seats were great and everyone had a good time minus the cold, wet and windy weather.  We left the house around 8AM and got hoaround 7:30PM.  We had a nice lunch the next day at Randy & Anna’s place before the Shafers went home. 

 Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s softball continued this month, with games being played in her recreational team along with her travel team.  Her last day of school was unique as she rode her bike home with the Sniadecki family and Deb took her and a few kids to get ice cream that afternoon to celebrate another school year.

 Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s softball, track and basketball kept her busy just about every day.  She missed most of the track practices, but was able to help them do well in the relays in the city meet.  Softball ended with her having fun with her team as it was her last CYO sport.  She filled in the rest of the month with her IGB basketball team along with some practices at Bishop Chatard. 

 A few more items from this month   I was honored to receive the Msgr. Albert Busald award for CYO volunteer work over the last several years.  It was a great ceremony and appreciate Deb and the Sechrist’s for being there. 

• · When Allison was in D.C., we took Sarah out to dinner at Tomo.  It is a hibachi grill spot that Sarah really likes going to. 
• ·    My mom was in town for Allison’s graduation, Molly’s birthday and Erin’s KG graduation.  She came along to Sarah’s softball game 

  on Friday evening and she and I went to lunch on Tuesday at Sully’s. 
• ·Beth was able to get special access to a Fever practice and invited me to go along.  At the end of the practice, Caitlin Clark came by and we got a chance to take a photo. 
• ·Jeremy and I were fortunate enough to go to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals where the Pacers closed out the series vs. the Knicks. 

April 2025

April 2025

 

            We enjoyed a relaxing spring break in Siesta Key the first week of April.  When we got home, we were quickly back into all the girl’s activities and Debbie had a knee scope to help alleviate some pain she has had for the last several months. 

 

            We flew out to Tampa on the 29th of March and were able to get to our condo by 4PM. The island wasn’t as busy as it normally is due to several of the condos are still under construction due to hurricane damage in 2024.  We hit up our usual places for dinner (Captain Curt’s, The Hub and Spearfish Grill) along with grilling out a few nights.  Debbie and I went to the gym a few mornings, as it is only a mile away or we went on a walk on the beach to start most days.  Allison enjoyed hanging out and getting some sun while Sarah was always ready to do something or go walk and find some of her friends who were just down the beach.  The weather was great the entire time, with the only rain occurring during the first evening.  We stayed in the same condos at the O’Rouke’s, so they decided to pay one of their kids $.50 per sand castle they made.  Well, Sarah and Allison heard that and started helping out and they soon made 600 castles and each kids made $100.  It took them about 5 hours and it was well worth it!  We flew home on April 5th, picked up Timber and got things unpacked. 

 

            On April 10th, Debbie had a knee surgery to clean up her knee that has been bothering her since September.  The surgery went well and she has been recovering since, icing several times a day, doing her exercises and getting back to going to the girl’s events when it makes sense.  While her knee isn’t perfect, she is hopeful to keep the positive progress and be ready for the summer months.  Anna and Randy helped out the first 4-5 days with having plenty food available when we needed it, keeping an eye on Debbie while I was going to the girl’s sporting activities.  

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s birthday was celebrated with a rainout of her softball games, so we took her and some friends out to Panera Bread for lunch and bowling.  Sarah’s softball teams continued practices and games this month and she is enjoying being back on the diamond.  She chipped her one of her teeth this month, which was fixed quickly by the dentist, but will likely be an ongoing problem until she is older and they can be permanently fixed. 

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s softball and track seasons have been challenging as her schedule has her attending basketball practices / games or lifting weights most days.  As an 8th grader, her class performed the Stations of the Cross as part of the Lenten season.  Allison’s birthday was busy with a basketball game followed by dinner at Sahm’s.  She went to her first concert this month with Debbie to see Megan Maroney, her favorite singer.  She got the tickets for Christmas and has been excited for many months.

 

A few more items from this month:

• We celebrated Easter with the Dodsons along with Randy and Anna.  We went to 11:30 mass and came back to our house for lunch. 
• Molly had her first communion this month, and everyone was in town for the special day.  Afterwards, everyone went to the Dodson’s house for lunch and cake, then some of us went to watch Allison play basketball before going back to their house for pizza and some euchre. 
• My mom was in town for a few days to celebrate Molly’s first communion and she and I went to watch Sarah play softball one evening and drove down to Franklin to watch Allison play a basketball game on her birthday. 

March 2025

     During March, we saw the end of the girls CKS basketball seasons end along with Allison’s Jr. Trojans volleyball season.  We started up Sarah’s softball seasons along with Allison’s softball and basketball teams. 

 

            Both girls CKS basketball teams advanced to the city championship in their respective divisions.  Sarah’s team played against another CKS team, so the gym was filled with everyone from the same school.  While Sarah’s team led the game for the first 3 quarters, they ran out of gas and lost by 2.  After the game everyone circled around and said a prayer and took pictures with their team.  We then went to Allison’s game, which they were up by 12 at halftime but then let the lead slip to 3 in the 4th quarter.  Some timely plays helped them get their lead back and they won.  We then went to Binkley’s with several CKS parents to celebrate a fun day. 

 

            Indianapolis hosted the Big 10 men’s basketball tournament this year, so Depp and Rago came to town and Jeremy and I went to the Purdue game on Friday night with them.  We got downtown and enjoyed a few drinks before going into the game and watching the game.  Purdue lost and was never really in the game, but we had fun and it was good to catch up with everyone. 

 

            Later in the month, Purdue advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament and it was being hosted in Indy.  Even though we had a flight the next day for spring break, we decided to go to the game.  I was able to get 2 tickets from our bank at work and then we bought 2 more and traded seats back and forth the first game.  After some fans left, we were able to grab a few seats nearby and everyone was together.  Purdue lost on a last second play and we didn’t get home until 1:30AM, but we woke up knowing we would be catching a flight to Florida! 

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s softball teams started up practice in March, with her recreational team starting up and meeting some new girls and her travel team consisting of the girls she has practiced with over the winter months.  Game start in April and she is looking forward to getting out on the field.   

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s volleyball team had 2 tournaments in March and continued to practice.  She enjoyed meeting some of her future classmates and working more on volleyball than she ever has.  She also started up her IGB (travel basketball) season with practices and one tournament.  She is enjoying meeting new people and I’m helping out being the assistant coach for the team.  She has also been going over to Chatard for some basketball practices that are allowed for incoming 8th graders and also started lifting weights.  Finally, she registered for her classes and seems excited about her selections. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• Sarah and I went to the “Me and My Guy” dance at CKS.  Allison had a volleyball tournament and couldn’t make it, so Sarah and I had fun with other girls from school and their dads. 
• Debbie and I went out to dinner with John and Carrie Oblazney.  I’ve worked for John in 2 different instances (Hurco & Herff Jones).  He is always available to give some advice on items that I need some help. 

 

February 2025

            February included a lot of volleyball for Allison and basketball for both girls.  Without much else on the calendar for the month, we will focus on the sports. 

 

            I’m coaching Sarah’s 56B team this year and we did better than we expected.  Last year, we didn’t win a game, but this year we have played better.  I always like meeting new families and coaching the girls.  This year, I was able to partner with Phil to coach the team, which has been a great experience (although the girls may not agree!).  As of the end of the month, Sarah’s team was undefeated and so was Allison’s Cadet A team.        

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s softball team has continued to practice most weekends at an indoor facility.  She has enjoyed meeting some new girls.  The team is gearing up for some tournaments on Sundays in the spring.  She will also play on another team in her league that doesn’t travel to different locations.  She has been playing some good basketball in most games and is very aware of her surroundings when playing help side defense. 

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s volleyball team had 2 tournaments on back-to-back weekends in early February.  She continues to enjoy the friendships she has on the team.  Her basketball team has been playing well and, on a few occasions, she has had to play the full game as some of the girls are missing due to volleyball commitments. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• Deb and some other moms did a great job helping out with the trivia night at the school.  It was sold-out and she powered through even though she wasn’t feeling well that weekend. 
• I went to a Pacers game vs. the Grizzlies with Anderson, Watkins and Wyss.  It was good to see Zach Edey playing well and starting the game. 
• The girls got tickets to the UCONN vs. Butler girls basketball game for Christmas.  It was a chance to see several stars on the UCONN team and the girls had fun watching the game from some good seats. 
• We had a good time celebrating Erin Dodson’s birthday in late February.