Friday, September 29, 2023

Bob Ross Birthday

 Last Saturday we attended a Bob Ross themed birthday party for our friend. It was an entertaining evening and we all created some sort of mountain landscape - well except for their son who ended up with a gray canvas. A fun way to spend a beautiful evening on their patio. 

Ready to start with our teacher on the big screen 



Marshall’s masterpiece 


I was voted best clouds 


Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Karlen Chronicles

Mom and Dad had one of their longer trips to visit us in Colorado and it was a great trip. We filled the time with cards, outdoor dining, walks around the neighborhood, watching volleyball and football and some adventures. Mom and Dad were able to watch an Ultimate Frisbee scrimmage, and Mom walked nine disc golf holes with Tanner. Nadja came up one evening for homemade pizza, Tanner took Mom and Dad out for dinner on Saturday and for lunch on Monday. Mom and Dad walked over to the clubhouse for lunch on Friday and we enjoyed a trip the mountains to Sunday to check out the fall colors (and make a stop at the casinos for some video poker and restrooms). We also celebrated mom’s upcoming 75th birthday. 

I know it is a lot of work for them to travel here so I’m so glad we had some new experiences  and time together. 


















Sunday, September 24, 2023

Flying in Van Wert

 Drake has been putting in a ton of time and practice on the water the fall. He’s going to practice at least twice a week and his hard work is paying off.

Each week, he has had a personal best which is proof that hard work pays off. He was vying for a spot at regionals during the conference tourney this weekend against four other teammates for three final spots on the team. 

Last week, he had a personal best of 59 feet. This weekend, he was able to jump 70 feet!!! This placed him squarely on the team for regionals as the 3rd best jumper on the team. The team placed first again this weekend and Drake placed 11th overall for jumps! So proud of him and that his hard work and dedication paid off. 

Here are some pictures from past week when Marshall (so awesome he could be there!) was able to see him jump as well as videos from last week…. And the new PB jump from this week. 

Jump 1

Jump 2

Two successful jumps

Jump 3

The PB Tackle

Conference jump - 70’




Conference Champs! 


The Miami contingent 

The jump 

The lake 



Saturday, September 23, 2023

Surprise Visit

Drake made a surprise trip back to Colorado, but our schedules didn’t work out much unfortunately. We did get to catch up with him for about an hour on Friday night and during the drive to the airport this morning. Funny that Shutterfly reminded me of Drake seeing Nana and Pop 19 years ago this week. 

He had to leave Saturday morning so he can be back to jump on Sunday with the waterskiing team. 





Thursday, September 21, 2023

Grand Lake Getaway

 I was able to take Mom and Dad up to Grand Lake for a little get a way. We left around lunch and I finished up my day at the lake. We enjoyed happy hour on the deck before heading downtown for dinner. We picked up some chocolate and took a drive before heading back. We made a loop by the lake, stopped by the Grand Lake Lodge and then headed back. Mom and I caught a sunset, and we played a bit of cribbage before we hit the hay early

















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It was a relaxing morning with coffee, cribbage and time on the deck. We then enjoyed a nice breakfast at the bakery with a view of the lake. Mom and I walked down by the lake before we headed home around 12:30. 

The leaves were changing a bit and it we had crisp, fall weather. What special time to have with them. Both of them commented how it was nice to have time alone with me and that they would like to do it with Jaima and Jacki too. 


Breakfast with a view 


Monday, September 18, 2023

Dad’s Weekend

 After horrible traffic to Oxford (8 hour delay anyone?) Marshall made the most of his time with Drake. They enjoyed meals from a few different places, went on a hike, checked out some Oxford institutions, hung out at the house with some dads and Sigma Chi brothers and watched Miami beat Cincinnati in overtime from the house. Marshall even got to see Drake jump at the ski tournament (another post to come on that) - bonus! 

They squeezed a lot in and had a pretty great time from the sounds of it.