April 2024

            As we are well over halfway thru May and I’m just now getting around to what we did in April, it may be an understatement that our time has been spent out of town, at track meets, at softball fields or basketball gyms.  That being said, let’s start with the beginning of April. 

 

            The first weekend of April, I travel to Phoenix to watch Purdue play in the Final 4.  I flew out on Friday and after getting settled into the condo and catching up with Tony Rago, I found my way to a casino to meet up with Pete, Laura and Jessie.  We enjoyed some drinks, watched some basketball and did a little gambling.  As the night ended, I went back to the condo and met up with Joe and Ali.  The next morning, we call got a chance to catch up and made our way to the stadium to watch the semi-final game vs. N.C. State.  Purdue won the game pretty easily and we enjoyed celebrating afterwards with Jose, Jill and Klap.  On Sunday, we relaxed by the pool until Jeremy arrived and then we made our way to dinner and a speakeasy, where Ben and Julia met up with us.  On Monday, we casually got ready and made our way over to the stadium in the early afternoon.  We met up with Pete and Laura for a little bit and then I broke off to go see Spall and Pickering (some guys from CKS).  The game was competitive in the first half, but UCONN pulled away in the 2nd half.  While it wasn’t the results we hoped for, it was a fantastic experience and I was fortunate enough to be able to make it. 

 

            At the end of the month, we went to Missouri for Chelsea & Henry’s wedding.  We arrived in time for the welcome dinner and enjoyed catching up with all of the family that had traveled for their big day.  Laura had found a great house that we shared with her family, Jessie and mom.  Saturday was busy with “donuts and whiffle ball” followed by Allison and Sarah getting their hair done (as they were flower girls with Molly & Erin).  The wedding was outside and had a little rain, but everything else was perfect.  After eating, the band started playing and everyone enjoyed dancing.  Our family got up early on Sunday morning as we were coming back for softball and basketball games which both ended up being cancelled, so we were able to get things ready for the week. 

           

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah enjoyed her 11th birthday and celebrated throughout the day.  She had softball practice in the morning and played with friends in the afternoon.  She got Sahm’s for dinner but also some ribs that were made by the Biberstines.  Her softball season has been going well and she continues to hit the ball well, does a good job pitching and playing first base.  She also went on a class overnight field trip to Camp Tecumseh where she enjoyed all of the activities they offer along with sleeping in a cabin with her friends. 

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s 13th birthday coincided with the wedding in Missouri, so she was able to celebrate with family while getting some time to open presents and have cake.  She was too cool to dance very much, but did a great job making fun of me.  For track season, she has missed a few meets but continues to work on long jump and can jump about 14 feet.  Her softball season was different this year as she played for her school, and she typically played 1st or 3rd base.  Her biggest commitment over the last few months has been her IGB basketball team, where we have commitments each weekend.  Except for the one weekend we traveled to Cincinnati, we are usually around the Indianapolis area.  She has really gotten more aggressive and also enjoyed making some friends at different schools. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• While in Cincinnati for Allison’s basketball tournament, I got a chance to catch up with Jason Depp and his son who came to watch a few games and I went out with them for a few beers while Allison was with her team. 
• We went out for dinner with Frank and Jan at Sahm’s while they were in town in early April. 
• The girls got the day off for the eclipse and enjoyed spending time at the Biberstines. 
• Jeremy was able to get some courtside seats to a Pacer playoff game vs. the Bucks.  It was something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity.  It was so much fun to sit that close and see the best players in the world so close. 
  
  

March 2024

March had us gearing up with softball, track and basketball along with leaving town a few times.  Once to celebrate Randy’s 80^th in Charleston WV and another was to go skiing in Utah for spring break. 

 

            We had an earlier than normal spring break this year and went with the O’Rourke’s skiing in Park City, Utah.  We left early on Saturday and our flights went perfectly.  We got to Salt Lake and then drove to Park City to rent our skis.  We then made our way to our house, which belonged to B.C.’s cousin, and it was fantastic for the 9 of us.  After hitting up the grocery store and getting a good night sleep, we hit up Park City on Sunday and skied all day.  We enjoyed having fun skiing in the Park City and spending some time at the Canyons throughout our trip.  Since we were there in mid-March, the weather was below freezing at night and conditions were great each morning, but each afternoon it would get a little warm and get a little sloppy.  We skied on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Park City.  We went tubing at a nearby area on Tuesday.  We had the Millers (a family from school) over for dinner on Wednesday evening and Evan talked us into going to Alta the next day which was going to be our “off” day.  We made the hour drive and had a great time checking out a new resort skiing with friends.  We traveled home on Saturday and got home later that evening.  

 

            Before leaving for spring break, we went to WV to celebrate Randy’s 80^th birthday with family and friends.  Julie & Debbie rented a party room at a local restaurant and there was about 40-50 people in attendance.  We had a great weekend celebrating Randy’s birthday and hit the road on Sunday to get back to town.   

 

            Randy and Anna came back to town for few doctor appointments and spend Easter with us.  While they were in town, Purdue won their first sweet 16 game and advanced to the Elite 8 in Detroit.  So, being the good catholic that I am, I left town at 8AM on Easter and watched mass on my phone while I was driving to the game.  I met up with Rago, Depp and Miten for the game and Purdue won to go to their first Final 4 since 1980.  Immediately as we won, Deb texted me and told me she had already booked my flight so I was going to Phoenix to watch them play.  I got home that night around 10PMand while I know it isn’t OK to miss Easter with your family, everyone seemed to be OK with it since Purdue won. 

           

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah’s basketball team had their end of season party with some doughnuts at the gym along with playing a scrimmage against the coaches.  Right after spring break, Sarah’s softball season picked up and she is back with one of her favorite coaches, Coach Tedford.  I’m helping out a little bit, but the coach knows I never was much of a baseball player.  Sarah is pitching pretty well and hitting the ball to the outfield regularly. 

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

             Allison’s basketball season ended in the semi-finals of her tournament with a loss to St. Jude.  She quickly started practice for track, softball and her IGB basketball team immediately after spring break.  She has enjoyed making new friends on her IGB basketball team and trying out hurdles for track this year. 

 

A few more items from this month:

• I made 3-day trip to Wisconsin for work after we had gone to Charleston and before we left for spring break.  It was a good trip and I enjoyed working out a few times at Orangetheory and having dinner at a supper club. 
• We maintained our annual Easter tradition of having a lamb dinner at the Bassett’s with Lawton, the Bassetts and Steffey’s.  Always plenty of laughs and wine when we get together. 
• Such is life, we really had a bad stretch of luck with things breaking.  When we got back from spring break, my car didn’t start so it needed a new battery & alternator.  When I went to mow the lawn, a few things broke on the 8-year-old mower so we got a new one.  A few days later, when Anna and Debbie were cooking dinner, our 11-year-old oven decided it didn’t want to work anymore.  Everything was resolved smoothly, but that was a frustrating way to come back from spring break.