The Year Was 2013

Although I didn't find much time to blog in 2013, here are the highlights from the year.

20 Year Reunion of West Central Girls Basketball 6-on-6 State Tournament Team

Class of '93 Reunion With Coach Klinge

Heidi Accepts New Position at University of Northern Iowa, Leaving Behind Many Great Memories From 7 Years In Mount Pleasant

Forever A Mt. Pleasant Panther

Heidi Reunites With High School and College Friends

West Central Class of '93

Panther Reunion In Okoboji

Bailey Crushes On James Maslow After Big Time Rush Concert In Sioux City

Big Time Rush Concert Summer 2013

A couple other highlights I didn't get around to blogging about were our 8th March for Babies in Iowa City and the 4th Annual Fall Harvest on the Seegers Farm.

B and Me

Grandma and Grandpa Seegers Offer Their Support

Aunt Hope Walks With Us

Graham and Bailey

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Proud To Be A Farmer's Daughter

Hanging Out In The Ranger

Bailey and Graham Ready For A Ride

With so many blessings in 2013, we look forward to what 2014 has in store.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love, Bails 'n Me

Summer's Over

1st Day of 6th Grade-Janesville CSD

Well another school year started today.  Here's a look at Bailey's First Days Of School over the years.  Just as beautiful as she was her first day of preschool. 

 

Before heading into the new school year, I thought I'd recap some summer highlights.  With the move in the beginning, we kept the summer fairly low key, but still worked in fun with family and friends.

 

It started with my 20 year class reunion.  The weekend was filled with dancing to retro 80's and 90's music in the Maynard Community Hall, a tour of the school building, dinner and drinks, and capped off with stories around the campfire.  It was another great reunion of time spent with lifelong friends.   


West Central Class of '93



20 Years Later

 

A couple weeks later was the annual Panther Reunion with my girlfriends from UNI.  It actually fell on the weekend of my birthday so it was fun to celebrate in Okoboji with my birthday twin, Breck Danner, and other great friends.

Cheers To Turning 38

Fun With The Photo Booth At The Reagle Beagle





Panther Reunion 2013 in Okoboji  

A new adventure for Bailey this summer was attending church camp at Camp Io-de-sica for a week. Of course it would have to have been the hottest, must humid week of the summer.  The camp shared a CD with pictures it so I could see all activities during the week.



 

Bailey's Cabin Mates

Shooting archery

Pool Pals

Summer Camp 2013

The final highlight of our summer was out to Sioux City's Tyson Event Center for the Big Time Rush/Victoria Justice concert.  It was great to stay with my friend, Kathy Thode, while we spent a couple days in Sioux City.  We had seen BTR at the Iowa State Fair last summer and it was a blast!  This year's concert did not disappoint and was filled with even more energy, dancing, trampolines on the stage and a "felt like the front row" view of Kendall for one of the songs.  Bailey has been a Rusher for many years, but after this concert, I think I may have become a Rusher as well.  

BTR Concert 2013

 



The guys came out to the arena and sang a song.  Kendall sang in our section.

BTR/Victoria Justice Concert at Tyson Events Center

 

Bailey's Tee Shirt Of The Guys: Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan

 

Tomorrow marks my return to UNI, with the fall semester classes beginning on Monday.  It's been great to have the summer to relax and recharge.  Now we're looking forward to cheering on the Panthers and Wildcats at football and volleyball games this fall, as well as a return to Mount Pleasant for the Old Threshers Reunion in a couple weeks. 

Getting Settled In

After a month of packing, moving to Waverly, unpacking and getting in a month of work at UNI, Bails and I are beginning to settle in to our new surroundings.  The larger split-foyer house has taken some getting use to, but we are both enjoying the extra space.  Bails has staked out the downstairs while I've claimed the upstairs and am looking forward to breaking in my cropping room this week while Bails is with the grandparents at the county fair.  Thought this would also be a good time to get in a blog entry on Bailey's 5th grade year since we moved on her last day of school and life was somewhat of a whirlwind during June.  More about those happenings in a future blog.

Bailey's final year at Van Allen Elementary was once again filled with activity, memories and changes.  As you can see, she grew a few inches and is almost eyeballing her mother at 5'8" tall.  And after 11 years of glasses, she's enjoying her new contacts.

First Day of School

 Last Day of School

Speaking of growing, she looked particularly grown up when Grandpa Seegers escorted her to the Daddy Daughter Dance in February.

 Bailey With Friends

 BINGO with grandpa

 Kicking up her heels

 My Cowgirl

Shooting pool 

Yee Haw!  She had a great time!

Other photo opps during the year included...

 Hawaiian Day With Kanani

 Hat and Crazy Sock Day

 Class Color Day

USA Day

Spirit Day

School Picture Day

Bailey was also involved with the 4th and 5th grade chorus and began playing in the band this year.  She's taking after her mother, playing clarinet.  It was amazing to hear the improvements the 5th grade band made from their first concert playing the classic, Hot Cross Buns.  

I'm sure the next 6 weeks of our summer together will fly by.  Bailey's first day of Middle School at Janesville is August 20th.  In the meantime we are looking forward to fun in the sun, some relaxing and a few more exciting adventures.

7 Years Of Memories

Last Friday was my final day working at Iowa Wesleyan College.  Prior to my departure, the wonderful Student Life Office had a Purple Punch Farewell Reception for Bailey and me.  Being the sentimental sap that I am, I went through my picture library and pulled together memories from Mount Pleasant and Iowa Wesleyan College to share at the reception.  The picture slide show can be seen at https://vimeo.com/66828483  We will cherish these 7 years of memories and friendships forever.   

Treasured Memories

UNI Graduation December 1997 with
Mom and Dad

UNI Graduation December 1997 with
Heath and Hope

These past couple of months have been a culmination of the past meeting the present and not-too-distant future.  On March 18th I accepted a new job at the University of Northern Iowa.  15 years after receiving my B.A. degree from UNI, I get to return to campus as an Academic Advisor for the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services (HPELS).  I'll also have the opportunity to meet parents and prospective juniors and seniors in high school at Panther Peek Visit Days since part of my responsibilities will be presenting information about majors in UNI's College of Education.  I can't
help but think that it is because of my past that I have landed a job at
    my alma mater in a wonderful community closer to my loved ones.
 
Back in 1990 my High School English Teacher, Mr. Libke, encouraged me to take a public address piece to speech contest.  Every year of high school afterwards and throughout my career, I've developed the confidence to get up in front of people and speak.  Thank you Mr. Libke!

I also have to thank the Sumner School District for offering me a contract back in February 2002 where I began my work as a guidance counselor and developed the counseling skills necessary to work with adolescents.  I'm so excited to meet the families and high school students at Panther Peek Days and share with them the wonderful opportunities at UNI.  Thank you Sumner!

And finally, the past 7 years I've had the opportunity to serve Iowa Wesleyan College as Director of Career Services.  Through this position I've learned so much about career fields such as education, physical therapy, exercise science and human services, along with meeting so many great people.  I will get to continue enjoying one of the favorite parts of my job...meeting new students.  Thank you IWC!

On a separate, but related treasured memory, this past January I was invited back to West Central High School for the recognition of the 6-on-6 WC and Oelwein basketball teams who faced off in the first round of the 1993 state basketball tournament.  It was so great see Coach Klinge, as well as former teammates and classmates, Jody Bunn, Lisa Jipson, Angie Smith, Sarah Donat and Matt Milder.  So many familiar faces at the game, memories shared, as well as a couple "they can't be that old already"!?! comments.

Class of '93 with Coach Klinge

A month after the reunion Coach Klinge clinches his 1000th win of his coaching career

Me and My Lil' Sis after beating CAL-Latimer to go to final 6-on-6 Girls Basketball Tournament

The team after defeating Oelwein in the first round of the State Tournament

 A couple highlights from my 6-on-6 basketball career.

Stay tuned for more treasured memories in the coming months...