Dec 16, 2012

Church Christmas Program

Dec 16, 2012
Christmas Program and Lutheran Church of Hope Ankeny
 Seriously, is there anything cuter than the preschool kids at a church Christmas program? 
Cate did a great job at her Christmas program today at church.  She sang and held her doll that was dressed just like her! 

Seeing Santa

Cate and Charlie got to see Santa two times this year!  Charlie held tight to his truck and never looked at Santa but at the grocery store he sat on his lap.
 HO, HO, HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 Later, we all got to eat breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Cate really loved Mrs. Claus!  We thought Santa was very authentic and love this picture of the Cate.
 

Happy 4th Birthday, Catie!


Happy Birthday, Cate!  We can't believe you are already four years old.  She had a small party (check out the Barbie cake her mom made!) with the neighbors (Lauren and Anthony), Sophia and Isabelle. 
 We enjoyed celebrating in Atlantic with family over Thanksgiving.  In the picture below, Cate and her mom get to eat cake at Grandma Jane's and Papa's.  Cate got a kitchen for her outdoor playset and clothes from Grandma Jane.  From Papa Trewet she got a LeapFrog Tag Reader and everyone bought her books for it.  She loves it!  Oftentimes she is still awake reading when we go to bed. 

Thanksgiving with the Becker family

Even though short, we enjoyed having all the Becker grandchildren together.
The traditional sisters with the new baby in front of the fireplace picture with Avonell
Cate really enjoyed the newest (and only other) Becker grand girl!

Thankful for the Trewet family!

We were thankful for our family yet sure missed our Mamaw this year. 
 Thankful for Trewet girls (small in number but not in smiles!) and PINK FLUFF!
 Thankful for beaters after making pink fluff and KISSES FROM PAPA!
 Thankful for Trewet boys...the grown up kids that they are!
 

Nov 30, 2012

Our sweet Chip

Nov 30, 2012
Couldn't resist this cute picture of Charlie.  He is 20 months old in this picture.

Halloween

 Annual pumpkin carving.  Nothing new this year--Carter was amazing--he carved Kermit the Frog this year!  Ace always enjoys being in the picture.
Cate was going to be a princess but came down in a cheerleader costume instead!
 She says she was cheering for Carter's team (not specific to the Cyclones or Hawkeyes).
 Gotta love this shark on a mission to get some candy.
We LOVE our neighbors--Lauren and Anthony.  Cate spent the ENTIRE summer playing with them!

Cate's Dream Vacation


We took Cate on a magical vacation in October.  It was a short weekend getaway with one day at the beach and one day at Disney.  Charlie stayed home so it was extra special.    

 The highlight of the day was breakfast with ALL the princesses at Cinderella's castle.  All of us loved it!
 Our princess...
It really was magical...
 We had an absolute blast with our friends the Menschners! They have kids the same age as ours (Lucy and Charlie).  Cate and Lucy had lots and lots of fun together.
Cate sure does love her Daddy!  These smiles are priceless!
 When the girls were babies (and Katie and Andy lived in Des Moines) thought made disasters of themselves eating oreo truffles.  We tried to recreate the picture but instead had to make them messy.
The ocean was beautiful.  We are looking forward to going back (this time with Charlie).

Sep 19, 2012

Qatar trip for Dr. Coral

Sep 19, 2012
 Just a quick blog post from Qatar.  I don't have time to put too many pictures on here but I must say this has been one of the most amazing experiences of my whole life! 
Above is the group that we worked with from Hamad Medical Corp let by Dr. Hoda Badran who is sitting next to me.  We worked with them to implement a system of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for their pharmacy department.  I also gave a lecture to about 60 of their pharmacists on Medication Adherence and Motivating Patients. 
 The CPD Workshop Team--my good friends--Jen and Mike.  We have had the most fabulous time.  We feel so fortunate to have been invited by Mike to come to this wonderful country.  I could talk all day about the marvelous people, their country and their passion for learning in pharmacy. 
(Not to mention, that Mike got us here on the best airline in the world, Qatar Airways, in business class where we got our own set of pajamas and ate a 4 course chef prepared meal.) 
 Fahtire, Hoda, Jen, CoraLynn, Rasha after our evening in Katera at an Egyptian restaurant. Hoda and Rasha were both born in Egypt.  All 3 of these women are amazing.  All are about my age and are in management positions in the pharmacy.  The background is a hall where concerts occur in Katera. 
The first day we visited the Islam Art Museum (where picture #2 was taken) and went to the Souk Waqif which is the open market.  This man was from India and he made us bracelets from tree gum using his hands, a stick and a fire plate in front of him.  Super neat!  

Aug 27, 2012

Exciting golf results for Carter!

Aug 27, 2012
Carter played in the Briarwood Amateur Golf Tournament this weekend.  He had a two day score of 151 and placed 2nd in his flight.  The conditions Day 1 were horrible so he had a great score.
WAY TO GO, CARTER!!! 
His Dad got to be his caddy for both days!  It was rough going for the caddy...Saturday it rained for 14 of the 18 holes and Sunday he injured himself a bit trying to get a ball out of the creek. 
Carter came home to homemade chocolate chip cookies and he was nice enough share one with his little brother. 

Aug 24, 2012

Back at school for Carter!

Aug 24, 2012
Carter went back to Grand View University this week.  We all went to see his dorm room and take him out to dinner.  The dorm rooms they have now are MUCH NICER than either of us EVER had!  He spent this week with the golf team qualifying for the team.  On Tuesday Carter had his best competitive round of his life a 69 at Otter Creek! Way to go Tiger Joe!

Farmer Chip at the State Fair



We enjoyed a day at the State Fair watching Cousin Craig Alan show his calf.  One of the highlights was going to the "Little Hands on the Farm" with Papa Craig. 

 


Aug 5, 2012

Sidney Rodeo

Aug 5, 2012
Meet Cowgirl Catie!
Another yearly tradition is to go to the Sidney Rodeo.   The kids had an absolute blast this weekend at the rodeo.  We sure missed Mamaw but it was really fun to have our cousins from Kentucky there.  Cate and Audrey were definite BFFs!  Cate had multiple cowboy hats with hand-me-down shoes from Cousin Emily. 
LOVE these two pictures of Cate with her Daddy and Papa!!!

 At the parade with Uncle Mike and Jesse...of course we had to eat lunch in town at Whips first!
BFF Audrey from Kentucky.  The last time she was in Iowa, Cate was about 18 months and Auds just loved on her like crazy.  This time was no exception, just both a bit older.  Can't believe how those kids grow up...
Lovin' life and lovin' the rodeo...

County Fair

The motto for the State Fair this year is "NOTHING COMPARES!" I must say that is my motto for the Cass County Fair and I really enjoy taking my children back every year for the fair.

 Charlie could be the next John Deere model!  Here is a happy Papa and a happy little guy eating pancakes.
 The sheep were definitely our FAVORITE!
 Cate somehow convinced Papa to take her on the merry go round...I would have never gotten to do that!

OZARKS 2012

OYSTERS!
THE HIGHLIGHT: Papa in a mini-bumper car with Cate! :)
All you can eat pancakes at Mitch and Duffs. 
Trewet boys Jesse, TJ and Tim with "Char Char Binks" 
 Fun on the boat!
 Who is the best driver?
 
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