The Adventures Continue

We slept in today and had brunch at the cutest place in Carmel. Keagan said his French toast rivaled that big plate of pancakes he had at the Pancake Factory last winter. I splurged and got the mimosa with my omelet.

We drove through the downtown art district just to take it all in one more time. The charm is unmistakeable.

I’m dressed in layers again today because our game is outdoors. The car reads the temp is 32 degrees, but it’s flashing the warning of snow on the ground. No snow...yet, but the roads are treated as if it is expected any hour now. The real feel is 26 degrees.

I’m hanging out in the car as long as I possibly can, and then I’m throwing on another layer and carrying my blankets to the field. 

We beat Michigan 3-2. (Look at his leg muscles - clearly he has the legs of a soccer player.) Keagan got in trouble by the center ref for calling the game while playing the game. I guess that’s frowned upon up north. 😂

I loved everything about this venue but the temperature. I give it 5 stars and would recommend again. What a weekend! 

Adventures With Mom

My soccer weekends with Keagan will be some of my favorite memories in the years to come. From learning you don’t turn right on red in North Carolina to learning how to maneuver the round abouts in Indiana to evasive driving techniques in Tennessee when being “followed” by sketch cars with one headlight, you never know what you might encounter next when you are with us. His commentary keeps me laughing. I haven’t laughed this hard since our last trip.

We played indoors today at the absolute best facility. It was seriously the most modern and inclusive facility I have ever experienced. We played a local team from Indiana and came away with a 5-2 win. 

After a quick lunch and naps, we headed downtown to tour Butler. It was just meh. 

We stopped for dessert at Cake Bake, where the cake slices are small but cost as if you bought an entire cake. It didn’t matter the cost, it was so good! But Keagan has definitive opinions about small portion sizes. Just ask him. 

Next we tried to find a place for dinner. We inadvertently drove through the bus lane, we took the block a couple of times to find a coveted parking spot, and went the wrong way on a one way. We finally arrived at a local spot in the Broad Ripple neighborhood. We made quite the entrance when I tripped over the curb and debated for a good minute about whether we should wait inside or outside to be seated. All the while, Keagan muttered, “Adventures with Mom never cease to amaze.You can always count on something happening.” 

After dinner he suggested we spice up our Saturday night at “Books and Brews.” The sign outside said where “people drink, read, and converse.” Keagan said that sounded like the worst possible combo, so we settled for the hotel room and football. 

And his eye? Well it looks worse than it actually feels. Tomorrow we play Michigan. Let’s cross our fingers for another win.

Indy Showcase

We are in Indianapolis for a soccer showcase tournament. I’m wrapped up on the sidelines like I’m in the Arctic Circle. I bought new boots anticipating cold and I’m so glad that I did. At today’s game, I was sitting on the sidelines with every part of me under multiple layers. Keagan came out of bounds for a ball and said, “Mom? Is that you? Do you have enough layers?”

In the second half Keagan was elbowed in the eye. He was pulled from the game and had to undergo concussion protocol. We are hoping the eye remains open tonight and doesn’t swell shut so he can play tomorrow. On a positive note, we won today’s game 1-0 against Louisville, and Keagan was awarded the game winning assist. 

After both of us completed school work, we went to dinner in downtown Carmel with friends. This city is just beautiful! I could do without the hundreds of round abouts, but I love the architecture and Christmas lights. The downtown looks like something from a Hallmark Christmas movie. 

Tomorrow we play indoors. I can’t wait to see how we perform against the local team, and I can’t wait to watch the game without layers of blankets in my lap. 

It’s Looking Like Christmas

It feels so good to have the Christmas decorations placed, the tree up, and the front porch decorated. The ferns were trimmed and moved indoors. The philodendrons were moved to the dining room. After nine loads of laundry and a full day of decorating, I’m able to sit back and watch football. 

Saint Nicholas comes in one week!

Happy Shopping, Fishing, Playing Day

The week with the fam is coming to a close. This year we stayed close to home and avoided the big crowds in Nashville. Whereas last year we went to every holiday event offered, we didn’t attend one event this year. Instead, we have eaten, played games, watched football, online shopped, made cookies, and eaten some more. 

The cousins at the kids’ table. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for Evan to take a normal picture? 

Evan and Jamie spent the afternoon at the river fishing. 

This picture is gorgeous! 

Daddy repaired electrical shorts in our ceiling fans. They all work now and no sparks are flying at us. I think that’s a good thing. Jamie repaired a loose shower head that I didn’t even know was loose. The great thing about Jamie is he always finds something to tighten, fix, or improve and then he just does it. 

Keagan and the girls played FIFA. 

Vikki and I went shopping at the downtown boutiques. We picked up a few gifts for ourselves and did some online Christmas shopping for the kids. (We are still looking online for that PS5.)

Mom and Caroline made turkey cookies. With so many pies and pralines and brownies and pumpkin rolls, who could possible think about eating a cookie? Caroline!

Tomorrow morning they hit the road for the return trip to Texas. We will get our beds back, but the house will be quiet again. Until next time. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🏠

The turkey is smoking. The dressing is baking. The table is set. We are ready to feast. After being separated from family for more than twenty years, there was very little that could change my mind about having my family at our house for Thanksgiving week. Not even a world wide pandemic. We have people sleeping in every room of the house. We are piled on top of each other in the living room while watching football, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s the Best Week of the Year

It’s the best week of the year! My whole family has made it to Tennessee, and in between work, soccer training, online classes, and homework assignments, we are filling the days with shopping, fishing, board games, and the trampoline park. 

Evan and Jamie spent Tuesday afternoon fishing at various ponds. Evan caught this four pounder!

Madi had dinner with us on Tuesday and had a movie night with the girls.

We attempted family photos on Wednesday. But nothing can compare to our 2018 backdrop in Jackson Hole.

We can’t break tradition, so lunch for Thanksgiving Eve was at Five Guys.





We played a few board games that included inappropriate comments and big laughs. 

Now we rest before preparations for tomorrow’s feast!