July 2019

July 2019

             As I write this half-way through August, I struggle to remember everything we did in July.  We had a lot of things going on, but that is what happens when you have to squeeze all the fun you can into the short summer break. 

            We spent a majority of this month packing up our first floor.  As many of you have heard, we are renovating our entire first floor.  The only things not being touched are the laundry room and sun room.  Debbie has had weekly meetings with contractors, designers, cabinet companies, etc.  I’ve been trying to be helpful by not complaining about how much everything will cost!  The actual project started in August, so stay tuned to next month’s blog to see the progress and pictures. 

            We made our annual trip to St. Joseph, Michigan to hang out with family as part of our Beachmo trip.  We went up on Thursday and swam and enjoyed dinner with Frank and Jan.  We spent the next day with the Vandervaarts, along with Frank and Jan at a nearby beach.  On Saturday, we went to Warren Dunes State Park with the entire crew.  The girls were excited to climb the dune and play in the waves.  It was pretty hot outside, so the cold Lake Michigan water was awesome.  We enjoyed playing cards and hanging out in the conference room on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

            The following weekend, we made our annual trip to Bluefield, West Virginia to see the entire McGonagle family.  This year was a little different as one of Debbie’s cousins has purchased the house that Anna and her siblings grew up in, so that was where we had our Friday night dinner.  The kids enjoyed playing in the woods and going on “hikes” while stories about the past were being passed around among the adults.  Saturday had the usual afternoon and evening of fun at Chuck & Heather’s house.  This year, we had some live music along with a friendly visit from a police officer and his dog. 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

Sarah went to a gymnastics birthday party for Alexa Sipe.  It was a good chance to see her classmates during the summer.

Allison’s Thing of the Month

            Allison’s sports have started in July with kickball practice along with cross country.  It always amazes us how early things start, but we did get a break from the end of swimming until these sports! 

A few more items from this month:

·         Brad Lyons was in town and I was able to get over to the westside for a few hours to catch up with him and several members of his family that I’ve known since college.

·         We went over to Sara Crawford’s house for a party over July 4^th weekend. 

·         We went to a neighborhood BBQ hosted by Hylton & Sarah.

·         Our kids went to Allisonville VBS with some of the other kids from school.  We enjoyed a few nights out.  One was with the Theriacs & Campbells and another at the Blind Owl with several parents. 

·         On my mom’s birthday, we had her and the Dodsons over for dinner, cake and ice cream.  Allison and Sarah had fun showing Molly around the house and some of their toys.

·         We went over to the Andersons for a cookout with the Watkins and Foulkes.  The kids all got along very well playing together and jumping on the trampoline. 

·         Our kids went to the Christ the King VBS and enjoyed learning all of the songs.  We listened to that CD all the way to Michigan and West Virginia. 

·         I took the girls to an Indians game the day before we left for Michigan.  They did well understanding the game, until the pitcher balked and then I had to try to explain that!

·         My company started a “take your kid to work” day and the girls had fun.  The especially enjoyed my team meeting where they were able to ask several questions and get to know my co-workers. 

·         Both girls participated in the girls’ basketball camp at Christ the King.  I helped out a little bit, but they really enjoy seeing their friends over the summer and learning about basketball. 

·         Debbie enjoyed her birthday this year.  She got herself an Apple watch and enjoyed an evening with several moms from school at the Blind Owl. 

·         Deb and I, along with Shannon, Lawton, the Bassetts & the Steffeys went out for sushi to celebrate Ben & Debbie’s birthdays.  We had a few beers at Triton Tap.

·         Debbie has started training for a 5K that she will be running with several other moms from school.  She has enjoyed it so far along with the social aspect of training with Laura Sniadecki.

June 2019

June 2019

             The first month of summer is in the books and we have been busy.  We had both girls on the swim team, took a trip to Wisconsin to see the Ragos, started planning our house renovation starting later this summer and the girls have enjoyed spending time with Katie (summer nanny). 

            For the 5^th summer in a row, we have spent a summer weekend up in Lake Geneva with the Rago family.  Each year has provided a different perspective as the kids have become better swimmers and sleepers.  This year, all of kids slept in the new bunkbed room and didn’t have any issues.  They all played together and enjoyed swimming.  We really enjoy this trip as we really have no agenda and nowhere to go.  We simply swim, hangout and have plenty of laughs.  We also make sure to get Debbie’s annual supply of Spotted Cow beer! 

            We have started the process of planning our main floor renovation to start later this summer.  We have had meetings with our contractor and our designer.  Deb has met with cabinet and countertop manufacturers, along with heading to hardware stores to plan out some of the lights and fixtures we need.  We have started packing up as we are out of town in late July and want to be as prepared as we can.  It is exciting to get this project started and update our kitchen and the remaining part of our first floor. 

            Our summer nanny is Katie who lives across the street and she is the little sister of Margaret who watched the girls the last 2 summers.  The girls have had a great month of June finding fun things to do around the city.  They have been to splash parks, ninja parks, the library, the pool, etc.  If they don’t want to leave the house, Katie and the girls will find something to do around the house usually.  They are having so much fun, that when the girls wake up on the weekends, they are disappointed to see Deb and I!

            The last weekend in June was reserved to celebrate Erin Dodson’s baptism.  The Vandervaarts came to town and we had a fun weekend in Mom’s lake.  We also enjoyed a visit from Jeremy and Theresa from Louisville.  The baptism was fantastic, and the priest lets the kids get up close during the ceremony, which the cousins enjoyed.  We had a nice gathering afterwards at the Dodson’s house.         

Sarah’s Things of the Month

Sarah’s joined the swim team this year and had done a great job!  She enjoyed the competitions and practice and meeting people at the pool.  The good news is that we don’t need to worry about her at the pool anymore.  Her soccer season ended, and she enjoyed playing with her friends and Deb coaching.

Allison’s Thing of the Month

            Allison has also enjoyed swim team this year and qualified for the finals in the freestyle race.  She also participated at the girls’ basketball camp at Bishop Chatard.   She also went to a birthday party at DEFY with several of her classmates. 

A few more items from this month:

• ·         I spent a week in June helping setup and tear down the summer social at church.  It was a Friday & Saturday event and we typically volunteer the first night and then let the girls spend the night at Grandma’s the second night so we can stay a little later. 
• ·         Debbie partnered with Laura Sniadecki on the used uniform sale at school and did a fantastic job.  They raised roughly double the amount of money as the previous year. 
• ·         I traveled for a week to Charleston, SC for a leadership conference at work.  It was very hot outside, but I was able to get out and see some parts of the historic city. 
• ·         Debbie went out to have sushi with Tracy and enjoyed the “biggest glass of wine in Ripple.”
• ·         I went to Top Golf with some of my old co-workers from Hurco and had a good time.