Pheasant Hunt

Ben had planned a Pheasant Hunt at Maier Pheasant Farm locally with his brother, Chad, Nick (Abby's brother) and the boys back in October ish.  This is something that Ben really enjoyed doing with his dad, Trenton and Tyler in years passed and he thought it would be a great idea to invite family to join in this year.  He even invited me along to walk and see how the operation works...I also took pics :)
We started the day with a little target practice.  Abby, Max (Abby's younger brother) and my parents met us as well to do some shooting. 

Then it was off to eat a quick bite of lunch and head over to the Pheasant Farm.  And an experience it was!!!  I really enjoyed watching the dog work the pheasants.  It is just very interesting to see animals in their element doing what they love to do. 
I believe all the men got their share of birds also!!  Great job!!  So glad I was able to go along!

Ben getting one of his pheasants...

Christmas Cookies

Uncle Dave has made a point to bake and decorate Christmas cookies with his nieces and nephews the past few years.  Last night we continued this tradition...Trenton, Gabi, Bren and Leigh all helped decorate some fabulous looking cookies!!!

Thanks Uncle Dave...for having them over!

High Flyer

Gabi received the award for "High Flyer" this basketball season of cheerleading last night at the Banquet.  Gabi had a GREAT time this year cheering for both football and basketball and has plans to try out again next year.  She loves her coach (and friend's mom).  It certainly helps that these middle school coaches really allow the girls to show off their abilities to stunt and tumble.  So proud of all the girls!

Annual Gift Exchange

I am not even sure how many years in a row we have done this...but we have gotten together with Lina and Emma for as long as I can remember at Christmas time to exchange gifts between our girls.  Even though Emma goes to a different school, we try to get the girls together often so they stay close (like me and Lina).  We started out taking the girls to McDonalds play place and exchanging-check them out from December 2006!  As they have gotten older, we have tried other things.  At one point we did dinner at McDonalds and pedicures...now, it is dinner at Olive Garden and shopping with money or gift cards they give to each other!!!  We are quickly realizing they are growing up...and way too fast!  We did our exchange today at noon (Olive Garden, their favorite!) and took the girls across the street to the mall for our shopping spree.  Gabi got a shirt from Hollister and a book (Vampire Diaries).  Emma got two books and some gloves.  Had a good time talking and laughing.  Definitely good girl time :)

Brooke and Gabi

So Gabi has been hanging out with fellow cheerleader, Brooke Brewer, since the start of 7th grade.  She actually met her at ICE in the summer and thought she was a sweet girl.  Since Brooke loves gymnastics and cheer, Gabi seems to get along with her pretty well.  Last night the school hosted a dance.  Gabi shared this picture with me after the two decided to dress up for this dance...and according to Gabi, they were the "hit" of the dance.  In fact, several friends are already wanting them to call and let them know what they will be dressing up into for the next dance!!!  Gabi had a great time.  It's so good to see her enjoying her middle school years...a time when it can certainly be awkward. 

Last Basketball Game

Unfortunately, our boys basketball team lost to Northridge on Thursday night (second round of tournament).  However, the cheerleaders were able to go with the team and cheer.  This made Gabi very happy and proud that she was able to go and cheer on their team.  They did a great job.  The girls were loud and very peppy...just wish that could have helped the boys out a bit more :( 
Gabi is sad that the season is over but she had a GREAT time this year as a cheerleader.

 

 

A huge thank you to those who came throughout the season to watch Gabi!!  It showed her that cheering is just as important as any other sport that she has done!!!

Assembly Hall

We have been looking forward to this day for a few months...an IU home basketball game in Assembly Hall.
We arrived last Saturday morning to visit with Tyler, Abby and some of their friends.  We actually did some shopping and took a stroll around campus first.  The weather held out...in the mid 50's and cloudy - but no rain. 

 Love this photo of Tyler and Gabi...completely random and at a purely genuine moment...Gabi loves to visit her brothers every chance she gets and she certainly is not afraid to show love.  Can I say she walked with Tyler like this for alot of the time we shopped on Kirkwood...just really love these moments...

Tyler and Abby wanted to try a new place where they had not been to...Grazie! downtown.  It was very good Italian.  Much like Olive Garden, but even better!  Plenty of food and then some to take back to Tyler's apartment!  We checked into our hotel and played some Eucre with Abby/Tyler and Matt/Tyler.  Finished a couple of games and it was off to check out Assembly Hall.  We opted for better seats over a better game considering the BIG game seats were going for $200+ each!  And because it wasn't a high profile game we were able to get some photos on the court!

I told Ben before the game that I would love to see some dunks and I have to say, the team did NOT disappoint!!  Dunk after dunk and the place went nuts!  Even Watford got in on a dunk!!!

The atmosphere was great!!  Only some seats empty in the balcony area which surprised me since this game was not a BIG one.  The team won 100-69 thus allowing the first 100 people to get free meals at QDoba after the game!!!  Pretty awesome to say we saw the number 1 team in the country play!!  Let's hope they are the Champs this year!!!
After the game we headed back to Tyler's apartment to watch the Heismann announcement...still sad that Manti Teo did not win it and we decided to go check out the lights downtown before heading back to the hotel.  We grabbed up some sweets at a bakery and enjoyed the pretty lights.  I was in awe at how many lights were up on the trees!!!  Beautiful. 

Before heading out this morning, we took Tyler to grab a few groceries to tide him over till next weekend and went to watch him ref some basketball (5th grade) at a Sports Center with Matt.  They did a good job!!!  Had an awesome time and is definitely something we would LOVE to do again!!!