What A Year!

In my last blog of 2011, this sums it up.  

Halloween Through The Years

2001: Ladybug

Like my other retrospective blogs over the past year, I love remembering all the fun Bailey and I have had on Halloween, from my Bailey Bug to a Tweenage Hippie.  This year Bailey thought her costume was pretty good and wanted to enter the costume contest at the Pumpkin Patch Party in Mount Pleasant.  She ended up getting 3rd place in the 4th and 5th grade group. 

Enjoy these blasts from the past.



2011: Hippie

2002: Bumblebee

2003: Sunflower

2004: Witch

2005: Princess

2006: Spy Girl

2007: Little Devil

2008: Bride

2009: Go-Go Girl

2010: Eskimo

Bailey's First Love

Believe it or not, my tweenage, Justin Bieber, Big Time Rush lovin' daughter was at one time a bit of a tomboy.  Case in point: She loved Thomas the Tank Engine.  Trips to Target and Walmart during Bailey's younger years led to quite a collection of diecast and wooden engines and accessories which we have been able to pass on to my nephews, Austin and Graham.  For 3 years we also visited Thomas when he made his stop in Boone, IA at the Boone Scenic Railrood.  On September 17th we had the opportunity to visit Thomas again with our family after a 5 year hiatus.  But don't tell Bailey's friends that I posted her picture of A Day Out With Thomas because "It's kind of embarrassing Mom".

2004

2005

2006

2011

   

First Days of School

Here's a look back at Bailey's first days of school through the years.  Unfortunately I forgot to capture pictures on her first day at The Owl's Nest preschool and her kindergarten year.   

3 year old preschool--Pleasant Street Preschool--Sumner, IA

4 year old preschool--Pleasant Street Preschool--Sumner, IA

1st Grade--Van Allen Elementary--Mount Pleasant, IA

2nd Grade--Van Allen Elementary--Mount Pleasant, IA

3rd Grade--Van Allen Elementary--Mount Pleasant, IA

4th Grade--Van Allen Elementary--Mount Pleasant, IA

Summer 2011 Wrap Up

Yesterday marked Bailey's first day of 4th grade and my 6th year at Iowa Wesleyan College.  The beginning of the school year is one of my favorite times of the year as it builds anticipation about what is in store for us.  But it's also a bittersweet time as we leave the lazy days of summer behind and fall back into "the grind" of the daily rountine.  This summer was filled with so many fun gatherings with my family and friends as well as a 2 month vacation from work.  

While in the Des Moines area for my dear friend Laurie's wedding reception, we spent a leisurely Friday afternoon with Mom and Hope.  After pizza for lunch and a walk around Meredith's sculpture garden, we were able to catch IPTV star Dan Wardell at the Des Moines Public Library.  Once again, Dan did not disappoint with his educational, creative and humerous program.  2 Thumbs Up (or rather 6 ).

 Laurie's Wotjal (Williams) and me taking a break from dancing to capture a picture.

Beginning in May, we spent a couple evenings every week at the softball diamonds.  Bailey's team came in 2nd in their division and 3rd in their end of the season tournament.

After much anticipation all summer, Bailey finally received Kanani, the American Girl of the year.  She had quite a savings built up to spend in the store.

We had a great time on our vacation to Minnesota in July, taking in the excitement of the Mall of America, Nickelodean Universe, Sea Life Aquarium, the Minnesota Zoo and the Waterpark of America. 

Following our vacation, we spent the weekend at my cousin Sarah Orchard's (Matthias) home where we had a cousin reunion.  The kids (old and young) had a great time fishing, jet skiiing, putting on makeup and running through the sprinkler.  We can't wait to get together again next year.

My nieces, Lauren and Alli, spent a couple days with Bailey and me in Mount Pleasant.  We had a blast at the waterpark and arcade in Fun City, playing the Wii and just hanging out together.  We're looking forward to having them come and stay again next summer.

Another family reunion took place in August when we celebrated Grandma Wiebke's 80th birthday.  It was a special evening of reminiscing and sharing those memories with a special grandma.

Finally the summer was capped off celebrating Grandpa Seegers' 80th birthday and Grandpa and Mary's 25th wedding anniversary.  Another special gathering of loved ones and a time of building memories.

The Summer of 2011 was indeed a busy one.  I'm so thankful for all the people in my life I was able to spend it with.

3rd Grade Wrap Up

I find it amazing how much a girl can change in just 9 months.  From the first day of school to the last, Bailey has changed not only in appearance, but also in maturity and academic capabilities.  She had a wonderful 3rd grade year with Mrs. Olson and learned so much.  By the end of the year, she was even hating math a little less.  Reading is still by far her favorite subject.  And she's anxiously counting the days when the fictional characters in the American Girl books she's been reading all year some to life in the American Girl Store at the Mall of America.  Here are some of her 3rd grade highlights.   

This was the second year Bailey's art work was selected for the Mount Pleasant School Art Show

Silouette Painting

Navajo Weaving

E=Excellence for this Red Fox made from recycled materials

In March Bailey's class took a field trip to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art where there was an amazing pop-up book display.  Her class then went back to their drawing boards and created their own pop-up masterpieces.

The second to last day of school Bailey came home with this award for her Energy Poster. 

Bailey was also selected in January to be a part of Van Allen's Student Council.  She really enjoyed being involved with this group.

Baby Kate's 1st Birthday Party

Kate Addison Seegers turned 1 on May 17th.  We celebrated her 1st birthday at her Nana and Papa's house.  And I must say she was the poster child for 1st birthday parties.  She was actually interested in opening her presents (and did open them without her older siblings help) and she devoured her 1st birthday cake.  Just when we thought she might be done eating her cake, she took another gooey handful.  Happy 1st Birthday Baby Kate!

The Birthday Girl Princess

Loved Minnie

Ready to dig into her Cinderella cake

Lovin' this cake