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.