The end of basketball

Whew - we wrapped up the YMCA basketball season and had a little ice storm. The weeks are hectic but we are thankful for every day!

Nola at the tip-off!

The kids with their medals! (Some apparently had some colored drinks!)

Grandma Val came to cheer on Nola. We had a good time together. No pictures of Brenner - he was off playing basketball (and getting knocked in the face and glasses). That evening Brenner wanted to spend the night with Grandma but Nola was a bit nervous because of Grandpa being on hospice. We told her it was her decision and what ever she decided was the right one. She stayed with us and Brenner got to go solo (which was fun for him too). That evening, Matt and I did a trivia night with some friends to support the Booster Club. So many meaningless questions that I had no clue about - good thing others were more informed than me!

This made me laugh. We also tell the kids it is ok to be weird. Be yourself. Be happy.

A funny story by Brenner! His teacher was out most of the week and the sub didn't make them do much. Sigh. He learned how to snap paper. Double sigh.

This reminded me of reading these books to Brenner when he was a little one :)

Army Engineer Museum - A family affair

You know the saying making lemonade out of lemons. That is what we did this meet. We made some sweet, delicious lemonade - just go with me for a minute. Dad went on hospice last week so we are going day by day. But he mentioned that he had wanted to get back to the Fort Leonard Wood where he did basic and advanced training in late 1966/early 1967 to see the Army Engineer Museum. So - after numerous texts, mind changing, boss approvals on Thursday - we had a plan for us all to go on Friday. It was a great day - no sadness just new memories!

Our crew - Grandma Val, Nola, me, Grandpa Roger, Matt, Brenner, Uncle Chris, and Aunt Lynnie. I called the museum and let them know the situation. They said if someone was available, we could get a tour. Dad was part of the Army Engineers - they taught him how to run his dozer!

That someone was Scott. He was amazing spending over 2 hours taking us through the museum. The exhibit starts with with engineers from the Revolutionary War. Who knew they went back that far!?

The engineers were crucial on the battle of Yorktown.

Brenner has been saying that he wants to go into the military. This exhibit was talking about West Point and how the engineers were/are hand selected from the top of the class. Something for Brenner to work towards!

Learning about the engineering on rivers and different battles. The engineers were also used in the Panama Canal. I never really hadn't thought about that aspect of the military.

An nearby Odessa native was central to the Battle of Mount Porchia.

A bulldozer operator was decorated in the Vietnam War. His cup marked all the places that he went.

The various pontons used to create bridges throughout different decades.

Dad and his daughters. A. Good. Day.

Dad was a little worried about the kids missing school. They learned a lot more with us - life lessons. Brenner also picked up a new Engineer sweatshirt.

Part of the Berlin wall outside the museum. We also drove around the base seeing the barracks and where Dad trained. We drew a few looks as we wondered around in Mom's Traverse!

Did I mention that our tour guide Scott was awesome. After the tour, we were in the gift shop when Scott came back with all of these books and just gave them to us. What a nice man!

On Saturday, Grammy Vo celebrated her birthday with us! We didn't get any pictures :( But Nola had a HUGE crowd - Grammy, PawPaw Floyd, Aunt Theresa, Uncle Chuck, Colten, and Elly. Thanks for coming down, everyone!!!!! Nola came out really aggressive - getting some great steals and rebounds. She even got to do the tip off :)

No one can beat Nola down the court! One more game to go next weekend and then this season will be in the books. Wonder if she will want to run track again this summer?!