Thanksgiving Guests At Our Table

 

First Game Postponed

 

The Vikings will have to wait...pandemic postponed his first day...

Blake is Back on the Field

I haven't posted recently. The pandemic has taken over our routines 

and I'm adapting to a new computer.

Also, blogger has a whole new face.

 It's all bit overwhelming but I will try...

This post is a test.

My new computer doesn't have all the pictures from old computer.

Meanwhile, Blake has become a Viking for 

Grandview University in Des Moines.

 

Popcorn's Here!

We're about to stream Blake's hour-long Commencement ceremony!

To stream along with us, go to

https:www.youtube.com/user/wdmcs

on

Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. -- Commencement #3.

 

 

Popcorn on Order!

Blake's in-person Commencement is scheduled for Sunday, June 28.

 They'll brave the elements at Valley Stadium where guests wearing masks have

 assigned seats and an hour ahead of the ceremony to find their places.

The 600-student class of 2020 has been divided into three parts

 for three ceremonies of 200 graduates each.

 

 

Each guest is allowed two guests.

Blake chose his parents.

The rest of us can live-stream the hour-long ceremony.

When I reported this to Stan, he laughed and said, "What a wonderful world!

 We can attend! We'll sit in our easy chairs with popcorn in hand!"

 

Thanks, Stan! We're cued up for the popcorn!

When we know the live-stream link, we'll report it here.

 

You go, Blake!!!

Celebrating Blake's Graduation by the Table: Part IV

Blake's Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years are packed with energy and activity.

 Going to State for Wrestling, taking down most teams in Valley football.

 His future is now shaped by a football scholarship from Grandview in Des Moines.

Sophomore Capers

Left Side of Junior table

Right side of Junior year Table

Senior Year

 

Celebrating Blake's Graduation by the Table: Part III

Blake attended Indian Hills for grades 7 and 8.

In the 8th grade, Blake won an award that sits in the trophy case

 at Indian Hills for running the mile in 5:02.

 Southwoods Junior High was the setting for Grade 9. That was the year of many travels:
 Amy's business travel to Hawaii, Christmas in Florida for the last time,
 and Spring Break in North Carolina.

It was also the year of more focus in sports: Valley Wrestling and Football.
His big win? The Student Leadership Award.

 

7th Grade

 

8th Grade



9th Grade

 

Blake's Graduation by the Table: Part II

Amy has been busy arranging tables this week!

Here are three that complete Blake's grade-school memories.

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Blake's Graduation Celebration by the Table: Part I

Blake's mom saved tubs of his sporting and scholastic life...pictures, trophies, and mementos

 from Preschool through Senior year.
By setting up the tables, she hopes Blake will enjoy reviewing his school years
while anticipating his future at Grandview
 where he'll play football for the Grandview Vikings and study Kinesiology.
 

This post contains Preschool/Kindergarten through Grade 3...
More tables to come...



Table One: Preschool-Kindergarten. He wore the white robe at his Mini-Graduation from Preschool.

Table Two: First Grade

Table 3: Baseball, wrestling, and football! Second Grade

Table 4: Third Grade


 

 

Blake Graduating from High School

It's a mixed bag this year.

 Graduation from high school generally marches right down the line.

Not this year.

 Blake returned home from his Spring Break in Costa Rica to discover

that Covid-19 had scrambled his end-of-the-year plans.

 

 

Here's what I know so far:

The Valley Stadium Commencement has been tentatively rescheduled for June 27

 in the event that large gatherings will again be possible.

In lieu of the in-person ceremony,

 a virtual ceremony is being developed online by the West Des Moines High School staff.

 

His Glen Oaks Country Club party, originally planned for May 22nd,

 has been moved to July 12...also if large gatherings are possible.

 

I will manage some sort of updates via Facebook, texting, or blogging.

Meanwhile, Blake is keeping his body in shape for football in the fall.

He won a hefty football scholarship to Grandview in Des Moines.

Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner?

Covid-19 has us canceling earlier plans.

Maybe we can regroup this summer.

Valentine Day with Friends

I scurried about the kitchen on February 14.

The table had been set for several days...

 a winter whites thing with a shot of pink champagne.

 

We toasted Peggy and Larry and chatted for 4 and a half hours :)

 

Another Viking!

New News:

Blake won a football scholarship to Grandview University in Des Moines!

He'll play ball for the Vikings.

.

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.