Halloween

This was as Halloweeny as we got this year.

Nicholas was a black crayon.  He went trick or treating with Jacob around Heritage Heights.  I walked with Jacob's mom (but not the boys) until I had enough steps and then went home.  Jeremy hung out with Jacob's dad until the boys were done trick or treating.

Julia was delighted to discover she could squeeze into to the Anna skirt Grandma Susan made her years ago.  Obviously a cape always fits.  She wore it to One Act practice.

Marching Band Fortress

The marching band season was another success!  They received Superior ratings at all four of their competitions.

The pictures aren't in sequence because they're from various performances.

Here's the fortress:

They performed at half time of Neumann's quarter final play off home game.  There were some gaps because obviously they were missing the football players.

I believe Philip is the shorty two from the left.

Julia is there off to the left because she had a solo.

The first song was all brass and percussion so the woodwinds all got to play drums.  Julia is on the left.

Julia is in the back middle of the rectangle.  I can't tell if Philip is one of those trumpets or not.

Here, you can see Philip really well because this is their performance after one of the football games so he's not in his band uniform.

Julia's solo again.

Julia's at the front of the right line.

It was a great season!  Neumann just made it to the football finals so the band (minus the football players) will hopefully march at least part of their show at Memorial Stadium for that game!!
 

Fall Choir Concert

We haven't' been to a choir concert since Samuel was in 7th grade.  But Julia is in Madrigals and Show Choir so we went this year!

Madrigals 

Show choir's theme this year is "Zero to Hero" but no.  Nhey aren't singing the Hercules song of the same name.

Chaos and Delay.  My closest sibling pair.  Look at those mischievous smiles.

Julia and Sophia are both doing show choir for the first time.  It's fun but a lot of work and some drama.  Mostly because there's one girl who's a very serious dancer and the rest of them are figuring it out as they go.  Julia has been enjoying it over all!

 

Fall Concert

St Wenceslaus has a new music teacher this year.  She was pregnant and due at the end of November so no Christmas concert this year- we had a fall one instead!  It was my favorite concert I've ever been to at St. Wenceslaus.  The old teacher put on very nice performances but it was fun to have a fresh take on what the kids could do.  There was a scarf routine, drumming and singing in parts!  I loved it!

Breck, Jacob, Thomas, Nicholas, Caleb.

Double piggy back ride.

I think this is Breck but I have to check with Nicholas and he's not home right now.

 

Family Pictures 2024

Thomas was home for the weekend of Nicholas's championship game so I asked Samuel if he could come for Sunday afternoon too.

Figuring out outfits for family pics is something I enjoy.  I never start early enough to buy anything new so it's like a puzzle and a treasure hunt to find something that coordinates for everyone.

I tried to do it with the auto camera but the proportions were off.  It's like a Vrana mountain.

So my friend Amy came over!  Much better.  Although I should have left some of my hair on my right side.

I did the littles pictures too.

Of course he needs to get the cats in.  They don't make it on the wall though.

I'm using Julia's cute homecoming picture for her 8x10 this year so it's back a few posts.

I wish this was less shadowy (I already edited this one) but I'm still really happy with it.

This is the most stair steppy they've ever been I think.

Samuel and Thomas's expressions are spot on for how they feel about this pose.

Here you go Sam.

I even got in on the early bird discounts and did my Christmas cards already.  Go me! 

Beef Playoffs

Won the first round easily.  (I am sure this is a picture from that game?  No, no I am not.)

Semifinals against the team that beat them last year.  Nicholas had no history but the team sure did.  It was a night game at Glenwood, Iowa's beautiful facility.  They held off a late run and won!

Finals against the Norris team they hadn't played earlier in the year.  It was a defensive battle.  It was 0-0 and everyone was wondering what the overtime rules were when Norris scored with less than 20 seconds to go.  There's a whole story but you can ask Nick.  I'm sure he'll be able to give the play by play for years to come.

There were some sad boys but runner up out of 30-some teams is pretty great.

All the 6th graders.

 

Congrats on a great year of Beef football Nicholas!

St Joseph's Roast Beef Dinner

Made the kolaches.  (I was pretty happy with them this year.) Stirred the gravy.  Hung out with fellow parishioners.  Successful day!