Bails 'n Me

Saturday, November 21, 2009

UNI Homecoming

This December marks 12 years since I marched through the UNI Dome to receive my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa. Since leaving campus, there are a group of my closest friends from UNI that have made it a point to get together at least once a year. We call it Panther Reunion. On October 16 and 17, a group of us reunited back in Cedar Falls for UNI's Homecoming. We had the opportunity to visit some favorite hot spots while we were students, including a walk through Noehren Hall where many of us met. We also hit the hot spot on The Hill for lunch, Sub City. Although the campus and The Hill have changed a lot since we were there 12 years ago, I hope the tradition of Panther Reunion never changes.

The hallway in Noehren Hall where I lived my sophomore year

Jennie Gaffney (Williams) and me

Hidden Treasures

The weekend of October 3rd, the Matthias family gathered to go through Grandma Matthias' possessions. This old farmhouse has many memories of family gatherings, so it was bittersweet to be there for the 1st time since Grandma's passing in August. Along with the sentimental memories, I also received some physical items that will always remind me of Grandma. Fortunately my cousin Lucas lives in the house and we plan to continue celebrating the Christmas holiday together. We know that our angels, Grandma and Carrie, will be celebrating with us.

Bailey, Olivia and Sydney entertain themselves while the adults work

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Old Threshers

Since moving to Mount Pleasant in July 2006, we have attended the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion. This event brings 20,000 people to the Mount Pleasant community over the course of 5 days, concluding on Labor Day. This year I volunteered at the Faith Lutheran Church food stand. Their special is old-fashioned Beef 'n Noodles which has brought repeat customers for over 40 years and is an extremely good fundraiser for our church. It was a pleasure to visit with patrons and be surrounded by the people of Faith. Mom and Dad made the trip once again and Heath, Amy and the kids finally got to experience Old Thresher's. We did get pony rides, tractor rides and a train ride in during our time on the grounds. Along with a lot of exercise (aka walking). And Bailey and I made our annual stop at the lady with the felt dolls.

Bailey rides a pony

Lauren rides a pony

Alli needs a drink after all the walking around

Our future farmer?

Friday, August 28, 2009

Emotional Week

This has definitely been a week of ups and downs. Last week my Grandma Matthias' health began to decline rather quickly, leading to her passing on Friday. Her funeral early in the week was bittersweet as I have many fond memories being with her and my cousins. Monday evening I saw family and friends of the family I had not seen in years. It was moving to see so many special people come to offer condolences. I am also at peace knowing that she no longer has to suffer from some of the illnesses she had developed over the past 3 years.

On Wednesday, Bailey began 2nd grade. She was so excited to start school and loves her new teacher. Yesterday she said Mrs. Alvine's class is the best ever. Considering she also said this about her kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms, I would say we are off to a good start. I was a little surprised when she said they would start learning how to write in cursive this year as I distinctly remember learning this when I was in 3rd grade. Times, they are a-changing.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Blue Ribbon Work At The Henry County Fair

Although Bailey is not involved with 4-H, The Owl's Nest Daycare kids create projects during the summer to be judged in the Open Class event at the Henry County Fair. Here is some of Bailey's Blue Ribbon work these past 2 summers.

2009: Self Portrait

2008: Pig made from recyclable products

2009: Bailey on the Beach

Monday, July 27, 2009

Mount Pleasant Welcomes RAGBRAI Riders

This past Friday over 15,000 bike riders came to Mount Pleasant, doubling the town's population for less than 24 hours. I had the pleasure of greeting RAGBRAI riders as they entered town. Iowa Wesleyan College provided free, COLD water to riders just before passing through the archway to downtown MP. Saturday morning I also had the pleasure to wishing the riders well and providing breakfast refreshments as they passed our house on their ride to Burlington to dip their tires in the Mighty Mississip. With connections to James Van Allen and Peggy Whitson, Mount Pleasant came up with the theme, 'Have a Blast in Mount Pleasant'. It was definitely a blast!

These rockets blasted off (with real fire) about every 5-7 minutes. The Heatilator company designed them. It was cool. And speaking of cool, water misted on the riders as they passed below the blue arches on the road to the downtown square. The riders commented on this being one of the best entrances. Way to go MP!

Bailey by the rocket

We were also fortunate to have a front row seat to the riders leaving town as they passed our house.

This hill out of town was nothing compared to the hills the riders endured on their ride into Mount Pleasant against a bad headwind. Many commented that it was the hardest ride of the week.

Former S-F student and recent Upper Iowa grad Storm Schmitt stopped by for a quick picture and breakfast snack before catching up with Team Peacock in New London.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Fun With Family

The past 2 weekends have been filled with family, the most important thing in the world to me. Last weekend we celebrated my nephew Austin's (aka Boomer for a birthday on the 4th of July) 2nd birthday and celebrated our nation's Independence Day with sparklers. This past weekend I finally got to meet the newest addition to my family, Graham, and celebrate my 34th birthday in Des Moines. Hope you enjoy some of our summer highlights. With only 5 weeks left of my summer, I'm still going to squeeze in some more family fun in the weekends to come.