November 2023

       We celebrated Thanksgiving this year in Indy and the Cyphers and Shafers came to town.  Randy and Anna arrived earlier in the week for a few doctor appointments at Debbie’s clinic and the Shafers arrived on Wednesday.  We enjoyed spending a lot of time together watching the parade and football on TV.  Julie, Debbie and I went to Orangetheory on Thanksgiving and Black Friday mornings while Kyle worked out on his own at the gym.  The girls got along well and even put on a play about the history of Thanksgiving.  Julie & Kyle slept in the office on an air mattress and Timber wasn’t a fan of that with the door shut…so she nudged her way in and slept on the air mattress with them.  Everyone chipped in on preparing the meal with the kids decorating the appetizers, Kyle making the pies and the moms cooking the meal.  I helped get the table and chairs together and carved the turkey.  Julie and Kyle left 

on Friday afternoon and Anna and Randy went home on Saturday morning. 

            In early November, the Wahmans were in town to celebrate Chelsea’s bridal shower and Frank’s 70^thbirthday.  Debbie went to Chelsea’s shower, which was in Broad Ripple.  That evening, Deb and I went to the birthday party at the Blind Owl.  I went over to the Dodson’s after the party to hang out with the crowd while Deb went home to make sure the girls were going to bed.   

             

Sarah’s Things of the Month  

            Sarah’s volleyball team got to the final 4 in their tournament and lost in a very close match.  Her team got better throughout the year and Sarah really did well serving consistently.   

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month  

             Allison’s volleyball team ended their season and she really enjoyed playing with some 8^th graders on the Cadet B team.  She continued her basketball training at IGB and likes the challenge of playing against better competition.  On a social side, she went to a junior high gathering at St. Pius during the month that included several kids from the north denary.   

 

A few more items from this month: 

• Deb and I went to the annual CKS Bingo night where we got a chance to hang out with several parents from school and donate some money for the 8^th grade class trip.   
• A good friend of ours at church, Kent Campbell, has been sick this month so a group of dads got together and cleaned up his yard and decorated for Christmas.  We had about 30 guys helping out and even had a kegerator to help us pass the time!   
• I made a work trip to Wisconsin to help them build their budget and buy Debbie a few cases of Spotted Cow!   
• Watkins, Jeremy and I got together to watch the Purdue vs. Gonzaga game during Thanksgiving week.   
• I went with some dads from school to play basketball during Thanksgiving week at the Hoosier gym, which is where the movie “Hoosiers” was taped during the home basketball games.   
• I took the girls to the Bishop Chatard state championship game.  They won their #17^th state championship and I was lucky to see several people that I don’t normally see.  I was also lucky enough to sit with five 5^th grade girls asking way too many questions.   
• Our family was fortunate enough to be invited to see the dress rehearsal of the Yuletide show at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It is our 3^rd year in a row going to this show and the girls have really enjoyed seeing it.   
  
  

October 2023

Things have slowed down after a busy September with the end of basketball, cross country and softball in October.  We enjoyed a full week down in Siesta Key for fall break and watching both girls start off their volleyball seasons.   

 

            For fall break, we flew out on October 14^th in the evening and got to our condo around 9.  On Sunday morning, Deb and I went to the grocery store to get what we needed for the week.  Most days were spent with us hitting the beach by 11AM and staying there until about 3PM. After that, we may go in to clean up for dinner or went to the pool.  We enjoyed going out to eat at Captain Curts, Spearfish Grille and The Hub on the evenings we ventured out.  The girls enjoyed ice cream most nights at The Fudge Factory and Orange Octopus.  We had one day of cooler weather and we went to Smugglers Cove for some putt-putt golf.  After you finish your round of golf, you can feed some baby alligators using a fishing pole and the girls enjoyed it.  One morning, the girls and I went parasailing and we all had a great time, even though the boat ride was a little chilly.  A fun game on this trip was the paddle-ball challenge, where the girls would see how many they could get in a row and then Deb and I would try to double it.  We got an early flight back and got home before noon on the 21^st.  

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month  

            Sarah had fun playing fall ball with her friends again.  She was consistently playing 1^st or 3^rd and got a few chances to pitch.  Her team was part of a quick tournament at the end of the season and lost in the championship game.  Sarah is on the 56B volleyball team and has enjoyed learning about the sport and playing it with her friends.   

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month  

             Allison’s busy fall came to an end as Jr. Trojans basketball and CKS cross-country seasons ended.  She did get signed up for some additional basketball training at IGB that started in late October.  Allison is on the Cadet B volleyball team and is using her height to play well in the front row.   

 

A few more items from this month: 

• Randy and Anna were in town this month for his shoulder replacement surgery at Deb’s clinic.  Everything went well and he is coming back in November for his follow up appointments.   
• Sarah had her parent-teacher conference in October and in 5^th grade, they let the student lead the conversation.  She did a good job and seems to be adapting well to being a “big kid” at the school.   
• As Deb had a work commitment on the Saturday we got back from fall break, I went out with several of our friends to Bonges to continue that annual tradition.   
• Deb, Sarah and I went to the trunk or treat fundraiser at the school’s parking lot.  Sarah’s costume this year was Elmo.   
• Sarah and I went to the Colts game vs. the Saints in late October.  We used Deb’s tickets from work and Sarah had a great time.  We hung out with the Morin’s beforehand in Touchdown Town for the kid activities.   
• I went to a Pacer game vs. the Spurs with the bank we partner with at work.  The Pacers won the game by about 40.   
• Halloween this year was very chilly.  Deb and I handed out candy at our house while Sarah ran around with the neighbor kids.  Allison was at a friends house and they all went as Care Bears.  
  
  

September 2023

We have continued our start of the school year with balancing several sports for both girls.  An evening with nothing on the calendar is rare, but we knew that would be the case until mid-October when softball, basketball and cross country all ended their respective seasons.
Randy and Anna came to visit 2 times in September in preparation for his shoulder replacement surgery in October.

  It is always nice to have them around as Randy hangs out with Timber throughout the day and Anna keeps busy preparing food and doing laundry while we are at work.  My mom came to visit 2 times during September and we had dinner at Sahms, went swimming and sat around our firepit one evening watching college football.  Frank and Jan are also currently in town, so we all watched the Colts game one Sunday afternoon at the Dodson’s house.
With our grade school being next to Bishop Chatard, our girls are always trying to make it to the home football games. I tried to explain to them that this hasn’t always been the tradition with Chatard football. The stadium is only about 10 years old, so the social atmosphere of having a home football game is a lot of fun for the kids and the adults. There is free food, tailgates going on the parking lot and kids in every direction. 

            Sarah’s Things of the Month  

Sarah completed her kickball season and went right into volleyball. She has a consistent underhand serve and continues to work on her overhand serve. She continues to love softball and has even pitched a few innings. She usually hits well and gets on base most of the time.  Allison’s Thing of the Month  Similar to Sarah, Allison’s kickball season ended and she and her friends went right into volleyball practices. Allison enjoys volleyball and her height helps her at the net.

She continues to run cross country and enjoys the time with her friends. Allison has also improved her basketball over the last few months playing with the Jr. Trojans.  A few more items from this month: 

• Sarah and I were able to squeeze in going to one of Erin’s soccer games.Sarah didn’t remember playing soccer at the same fields in the same league, but it was fun to see Erin running around with her friends. 
• The girls and Debbie went to “CYO night” at Chatard for volleyball. Since both girls went to the volleyball camp this past summer, they knew several players and enjoyed cheering them on.
• Deb helped organize Grandparents Day at school again this year. She did a great job and everything went well. 
• Deb and I went to Lobsterfest at the Bassett’s house again this year. The weather was great and we were able to eat outside. We have started letting the girls stay home alone when we go out, which is good and bad. Good thing is that we don’t need a sitter. Bad thing is that we can’t really stay out very late, but I’m not sure Deb would say that is a bad thing!  
  
  

August 2023

  Back to school month was busy with plenty of sports for both girls along with the school supply shopping, buying the right shoes and also making sure the uniforms fit.  The girls were excited for school and have gotten back into the swing of things pretty easily. Sarah is now in 5^th grade which means she is on the 2^ndfloor at school.  Allison is in 7^th grade and in her 2^ndyear of middle school.  They are keeping up with their homework even though most evenings have something planned for both of them.  Deb and I are doing our best to keep things straight and make sure everyone is where they need to be throughout the week. 

 

            Before school started, Deb and the girls went to Michigan to visit the Shafer family.  They went fishing while they were up there and everyone caught a few fish.  They went hiking and went to a waterpark that had waterslides and other obstacles in the water.  I stayed home with Timber and did plenty of yardwork around the house and pulled up 4 bushes around the house. They got home on Sunday and the girls I went to basketball practice. 

 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah is right in the middle of her kickball season.  Her team has won a few games and she is having fun with several 5^th & 6^th graders.  At the end of the month, she has her first softball practice for the fall season and is on a team with several of her friends and familiar coaches.  She has also started the volleyball season, which will get busier once kickball is over.  She also continues to go to the basketball clinics at Chatard. As you can see, she is keeping pretty busy and has plenty of activities to choose from.   

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s kickball season is going well and they have won about the same number of games as they have lost.  She is also doing cross-country and seems to enjoy the time with her friends more than the running.  She participated in the volleyball evaluations and her team will start practicing soon.  Her basketball season has kicked off and she is playing more aggressive and starting to work harder on rebounding.  Allison also went to a jr. high gathering that was held at CKS. 

 

A few more items from this month:         

All 4 of us went to an Indians game in mid-August.  We enjoyed watching the game until the 7^th inning stretch and then decided to come home.

         I participated in the CKS golf outing at Hillcrest Country Club.  It was a great day that was interrupted by a thunderstorm, but we were able to finish the round.  I went out to Blind Owl for a few beers afterwards with some of the guys who played. 

We went to the Chatard football opener against Brebeuf.  Chatard won the game and the girls enjoyed running around with their friends while Deb and I watched the game. 

The Watkins hosted a gathering at their house since the Bostons were in town.  The Andersons, Foulkes and Bleills were also there, so it was a great opportunity to catch up with everyone as it had been too long since we had all seen each other. 

         

We went to the annual Smokefest at the Steffeys where they had all kind of smoked meats along with plenty of sides.  It was good to see so many of our friends and enjoy some good food. 

    

My mom was in town for the weekend and we were able to see her at one of Allison’s basketball games and for dinner at Sahms. 

Deb and I went to the Annual Fund dinner at Chatard high school.  We were hosted by the Bultincks and had a great time celebrating the high school. 

July 2023

We started the month off with the girls and I going to Ohio to visit my sister’s family and my mom. We arrived around 5 on Friday evening and enjoyed dinner before all the girls enjoyed watching Taylor Swift concert highlights and music videos. There was a lot of singing and screaming, so the adults went outside. Igot a chance to see Laura’s office building on Friday evening and we went out to lunch at a local restaurant on Saturday.

The girls enjoyed hanging out with their cousins and I enjoyed sitting on the porch with Mom, Pete and Laura most of the time we were there.

The following weekend, we went canoeing on Sugar Creek near Turkey run on Sunday afternoon. The girls enjoyed moving down the creek and doing some swimming. They really enjoyed jumping off a rock that allowed for a 15-foot drop into the creek. After we were done canoeing, Deb went home as she needed to work on Monday and the girls and I stayed at the Turkey Run Inn. Beth and her girls met us there and we enjoyed and evening in the arcade and doing a nature scavenger hunt. The next day we went hiking on a few trials and the girls did well helping out Molly and Erin where needed. After a few hours of hiking, we all went home

around noon.   A few days later, we left on Thursday morning to Bluefield, WV for the annual McGonagle family reunion. The last 2 years, we have gone on Thursday because we need to leave a on Saturday to get the girls to CYO camp. We enjoyed staying at the Baker Hill Inn, seeing some baseball games and swimming at Bluefield State college. We left early on Saturday to get home and go to church since we were taking the girls to camp the following day.
The girls were more excited to go to CYO camp than Christmas, in my opinion. We arrived down at the camp and the girls found their bunks in their cabins and told us it was time for us to leave. We met up with some other parents who dropped off their kids at 317 BBQ in Broad Ripple for a few beers and then Deb and I came home and grilled out.

  Monday was Debbie’s birthday, so we went out to dinner at Harry & Izzy’s and then several friends came over and had some beers in our backyard. Wednesday, we went out for sushi with the Brandon, Diane, Tom, Tracy and Ben. Debbie picked up the girls on Friday and they were exhausted but had a great time.
 I went solo to Beachmo this year as it was the weekend after CYO camp and the girls usually come home pretty exhausted. I drove up and met everyone at the beach 

around 3PM on Friday afternoon. Went back to the hotel and checked in, got some dinner and then met everyone in the conference room for the evening. Saturday, we went to Warren Dunes for the day. It was a red flag day, so we stayed out of the water and just hung out on the beach after climbing the dune.  Sarah’s Things of the Month  

Sarah’s kickball season has started and she is enjoyed practicing with some of the 5^th and 6^th graders. She is also signed up for the Jr. Trojans basketball clinics starting in late July and fall softball starting in August. She got a chance to celebrate her softball season by going to a pool party hosted by one of the coaches.  Allison’s Thing of the Month  Allison has started kickball and she is playing with the 7^th and 8^th graders. She is signed up for the Jr. Trojans basketball. She has also started her summer workouts for XC, which can be tough with the summer heat.  

 

A few more items from this month: 

• Randy and Anna came to visit the weekend after CYO camp as they had several appointments were Debbie works to have some different things checked out. 
• We enjoyed a great firework display on July 3^rd at the Bailey’s house with several friends from school & neighborhood.  
• Debbie did a great job leading the used uniform sale at school this year. They raised over $3k which is great after all of her hard work.   
  
  

June 2023

June had us busy at the beginning of the month with softball and ending the month with 7 straight days of work and fun at the Summer Social at our church. We have enjoyed a lighter schedule in regards to the girl’s activities in the evenings which have allowed for us to get caught up on things around the house, have dinner together and walk Timber.

Softball season ended with a double elimination tournament for both girls. Allison’s team was out early, but Sarah’s team found a way to rally and win the tournament through the loser’s bracket which meant she had to play 7 games 

in 2 weeks. She was the lead-off batter throughout the tournament and usually got on base. We enjoyed watching both girls play this year and they both improved with the coaching of several parents from school.
Both girls attended several camps at Chatard this month.They both kicked it off by attending the basketball camp where they had a fun week and ended the week with a dance routine.  The 2^nd week they both went to volleyball camp and this is the sport where neither of them have played that much.

The 3^rd week, Allison went to the speed and agility camp and Sarah went the softball camp. They enjoyed going to these camps with many of their friends and meeting several students from the high school.
I took a quick trip to Chicago and Wisconsin in early June. I got a chance to hang out with the Ragos and Tim Benck for an overnight trip on my way to Wisconsin for a work trip.

We acquired this company about a year and a half ago and the integration as gone very well. However, the most fun has been meeting the great people and getting to know them on a daily basis.

            A tradition at our church is the Summer Social and our entire family really enjoys it.It starts on with the weeklong setup where several parents spend the week getting things ready for the festival on Friday and Saturday. This year, I was helping each day with the setup and cleanup while Debbie was helping out at the ticket booth both evenings. With many parents from the school volunteering, both of the girls were there most of the time also helping where they can but also just having fun watching everything come together. 

            Sarah’s Things of the Month  

Sarah and I went to the Farmer’s Market in Broad Ripple this month. We enjoyed seeing Tom and Tracy and grabbing some asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash. Sarah also was keen to find a breakfast sandwich that she always like to get whenever we go.  Allison’s Thing of the Month  

Allison has officially completed the Safe Sitter course and has started t have 1-2 jobs a month. I’m sure that will pick up as she gets older, but we are hoping to be first on her list of clients so Deb and I can leave the house and she and Sarah be safe and get along.  A few more items from this month: 

• On Father’s Day we went to 8AM mass since Allison was serving.I went to Orangetheory and then we went to the pool. We grilled out dinner and I enjoyed a few beers from a growler Deb got me from Bier brewery. 
• I was able to get access to a suite at Victory Field for the Indians game in early June on a Friday night which included Fireworks. We had fun with the Verspelts, Biberstines, Sipes and Bultincks.  
• We had planned to go to the pool one evening with Beth and her girls (Matt was out of town) but the weather was a little cooler so we had them over for pizza in our backyard. 
• On the last Friday of the month, I participated in a 4-team golf scramble that consisted of the guys I play basketball with on Sundays at church. My team didn’t win, but it was fun to get out on the course, hit a few good shots and enjoy some beers.