It has been a fun year watching Western BB again - they earned a trip to state in Des Moines and play their first game on Monday evening at 8:15 - if they win they play on Thursday and Friday. Marcus is going with some friends on Monday evening and if they win Jamie and I will take Marcus back on Thursday and Friday - we hope they do well and we will keep you all informed. They beat Unity in they sub-state game 75-50 on Wed. Evening at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City.

Snowmobiling Fun!

Mike had a great time last weekend - they rode 100 miles each day - and was beautiful. Apparently it is quite a bit of work though if you get them stuck and don't stay on the path. He said that all of them took their turns getting stuck.

Teri is back in Iowa - HEY!!

Keith and Teri Bretey who use to live in Rock Valley moved to Springfield, MN 10 years ago. This past Friday they moved back to Ia and now live in Lemars, IA. Springfield was 2 1/2 hours away and now Lemars is only 40 minutes - YEAH. We have stayed very close friends and would meet in Worthington, MN which was 1/2 way for each of us at least every 2 to 3 months. Marcie(my painting partner) and myself painted for them on Monday and Tuesday this week - we trimmed in everything and Keith and Teri rolled. Was great fun and a really good workout for me - up and down that ladder 2 days straight for 7-8 hour days. On Wednesday Mike and I are youth leaders at our church and we had a fundraiser with a talent show and huge supper - I was in charge of the supper - at church by 8:30 am and got home again at midnight. I woke up on Thursday and felt like a train had hit me - my legs and behind were so sore I had a hard time walking at first - I came to terms that I am getting older and can't keep up that pace I use to be able to do. I painted a little on Thur and Today(Friday) and now am relaxing a bit. We have the big School auction tonight at the Christian School here in town - but I am not in charge of anything there so I am going to go and sit and enjoy - hope you all have a great weekend. Mike is in the Black Hills snowmobiling (work made him go - was really a tough assignment) so hopefully he will get some good pics for me to share next week.

Out Early - Start Late - Out Early

Monday - Out Early

Tuesday - Start Late

Thursday - Out Early Again!

It would be a great year to teach - they are home all the time :)

Very cold and icy here again this week - looking really forward to some SPRING weather!

But awesome weather for building a fort - Happy Heart's Day to you all!!

6th Grade Medieval Banquet

Jamie had her Medieval Banquet last night - this is an every year event at the school with the 6th graders and they put a ton of work into it as they study medieval times - they did an awesome job - Jamie was one of the jokesters for the evening and they served us pumpkin soup and minced meat pie and that's all I'm going to say about that - when clean up came around there was lots of food left. We had a great time and fun to see what they have been studying. The first picture is her with her shield and they all had to explain their family name and what everything on the shield represented.

On the back of her shield she wrote, "My shield represents the Altena family name. I chose this charge because my family's name means too close already. I chose the color blue because blue means strength and loyalty, and I chose silver because that means sincerity and peace."

GREAT JOB JAMIE - mom and dad were very proud of you!!

Happy Birthday Kim!!!

Happy Birthday Kim - she is 20 on the 6th - YEAH!! Hope you are doing great and have a really fun day - love ya!!

Superbowl Sunday

It a great time for everyone on Superbowl Sunday. Mike is excited to watch a good game - Marcus is excited to hang out at a friends with all his friends and watch the game. Jamie and I love to watch the pregame, half-time show and all the new commercials. Family fun for everyone!! Hope you are all having a great day as well.