Happy Birthday to Me

I'm 77 today!

Amy took this picture last May at Mother's Day lunch with my kids.

They asked me what I wanted for my birthday.

A bubble bath.

 A spa treatment.

 Chicken Tortilla Soup Supper

and

empty shoeboxes.

Shoeboxes?

Blake and I are about to launch into our part of the

JOPPA Christmas Celebration for 400 homeless

folks in Des Moines. Each party-goer will receive a shoebox

containing $10 worth of gift cards from Hy-Vee or fast food places,

and another $10 worth of bus tokens, thick socks, flashlights,

hand warmers, duct tape, lip balm, hand sanitizer, or small

packs of tissues. Christmas wrapped in empty

shoeboxes collected from friends and neighbors.

We're doing 15 boxes.

Delivering on December 16.

For one who doesn't need more stuff,

 this is a fun way

to become 77.

Senior Night at Valley

It was too cold for Grandpa Al and me to attend the last game of the season.
 Valley trounced the North Polar Bears so they ended the season as #1.
 Now for the Playoffs.

Meanwhile, we have a picture to toss onto the blog.

Tradition has Senior football players walking across the field with their parents at half-time.

It's a one last time thing, a source of pride...and we are all proud of Blake for his

solid and winning performance as a middle linebacker. Last night, he even managed a touchdown!!

Double Date for Homecoming Dance/Party

 

 

After dinner with 30 classmates at a home, these four went off to the Homecoming Dance.

I don't know the couple on the left but that's Blake sitting in the pink shirt and red tie.

His date is Jacey...standing behind him.

 

Blake at Cedar Rapids

Blake's tackles turned the Cedar Rapids game around...

from Valley losing 14-7 at 3rd quarter to Valley winning 28-14.

Blake's in a Sack

 

 

 #21. That's our guy.

The Des Moines Register let us have this picture.

The best way for me to track him on the field

are his signature orange shoes.

 

Hunter's Moving On!

Love texting.

Receiving pictures.

We're not there but can see what's happening.

Hunter's moving into his dorm room with a high school buddy.

Friley Hall.

 

 

Last Rose of Summer

We spent some time at the Rose Garden

 where Landon could play Pokémon Go on his computer.

I followed the butterflies and bees in the garden.

 

Too much magnification but just wanted to show my busy bee.