IU's Secret Weapon

In case you missed it - BUT HOW COULD YOU??!?! Our INDIANA HOOSIERS beat Michigan State this past weekend. AND.IT.WAS.GLORIOUS.

If you're wondering who the new mastermind is behind our sudden ability to play defense...well, I have some news for you. The IU staff is consulting with Nolan. I know what you're thinking: "A TWO YEAR OLD?" But he seems to have an innate knack for defense.

Above you can see him discussing some coverage options with his mentor, Papa Denny. So - there you have it - the Hoosiers' secret weapon wears diapers and sleeps with a stuffed dog.

GOOOOO HOOSIERS!

I should add...my excitement for the win over the weekend was ELEVATED when I was standing in line at Target today and overheard two girls talking about the game. They were both wearing Spartan gear (the SHAME) and I just smiled (like a creepy person who is eavesdropping on a conversation in the checkout line.) ZERO CARES. "Ugh, I can't believe we lost that game...blah blah...we were winning by SO much...blah...I didn't even know IU was that good..." Well, we might just be! We've waited TEN long years for that win. We've lived in Michigan for (roughly) 8 of those years! This win was a BIG deal. UUUUGE.

Nolan TURNED Two!

Well - in an effort to document my third child's life...I have failed. I'm a terrible blogger lately. A million excuses...work, crazy schedules, lack of sleep, etc. Regardless - I owe Nolan a birthday post.

Somehow my BABY turned TWO on August 20. He's such a little man. We celebrated in Warsaw with my parents, grandparents, Joe, Gina, and the cousins.

Uncle Jon and Cassie called in via FaceTime to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY (or Happy You You) to Nolan. I think that might have been the highlight of his day. The singing.

While we were in Indiana - we had a chance to visit a few of my great-aunts. Aunt Kate (top left) is 101 and Aunt Mary (top right) is going to be 100 next month. Of course, Gigi and Grandpa Gigi came over to celebrate their youngest great grandchild. Nolan felt preeeettttty special.

Some info on the two year old:
Nolan weighs 30lb and is 33in tall. So basically he's a future running back. He is a snacker. Meals? No thanks...he'll just snack all day. Nolan is a talker! He has a lot to say and he will talk non-stop. Unfortunately, there are only a select few of us who speak his language. He's SO friendly and outgoing. He can make someone's day at Target or the grocery store...with his happy wave and "hello!" I literally see people brighten up in his presence.  His favorite people are Jack, Josie, and both of his "papas." Nolan is funny and also very opinionated. We are so thankful he's part of our family.

Halloween Christmas in Indiana

Last weekend we headed south to Indiana for some family time. My grandparents are heading to Florida soon and we got together for a Halloween Christmas gathering at their house. My kids get SO excited for these get togethers...for a lot of reasons: 1) there are always so many kids to play with 2) Gigi always has plenty of sweets

We did some family pumpkin carving. Uncle Jon helped Josie gut her pumpkin...but somehow I ended up carving 3 pumpkins (one for each kid).

Josie had a blast with her cousins Amelia & Emma. And they all LOVED playing with my cousin Justin's daughter, Ada. Josie had her first "unofficial" sleepover with Millie & Emma. We went over after she was asleep to hang out with Joe & Gina...and then brought her home with us at 11pm. But she has made it very clear that she would like to move to Warsaw to live with them.

Nolan pretty much ate the entire time we were home. Here he was eyeing my pumpkin roll. He may have had a bite...or three.

 Hanging with Connor - Justin's oldest - and, yes, still eating...

Walking it off, playing some soccer with the big kids....exercising.

 Oh, wait, nope - never mind ...more eating. Grass anyone?!?

My three, plus Ada's twin - Owen. He and Jack did some wrestling in the yard. Jack was in heaven.

Of course, having Uncle Jon home from Florida was a highlight. He brought Cassie, too...so he was even more popular than usual.

Whiffle Ball Champs

Last weekend we were in Fort Wayne for the 10th Annual Whiffle Ball Classic. Tyson has been playing in it for YEARS and it's always fun to see so many of our old friends. The weather was cooler than normal - but nobody was upset about it. It was perfect Whiffle Ball weather (yes, that's a thing).

And we are excited to report Tyson's team WON THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT! Big moment in their lives - to say the least.

Team Concordia...plus some extras.

Josie and Jack loved the trophy. Jack was so mad Tyson didn't bring it home with us. But it's living in Fort Wayne until next year.

Down on the Farm

Two weekends ago I put on my big girl pants and loaded three kids in the car for - what I thought would be a 5.5/6hr trip to Madison, Indiana - to see my mom's family. It was actually more of a 7.5hr trip. Or in other words A LONG A$$ TRIP. But - it was worth it! We arrived at my aunt & uncle's farm on Friday evening. My mom was already there, so we al settled in for a fun weekend.

Saturday we had a Colbert family (my grandma's side) reunion at Clifty Falls. Then I drove the kids around Hanover College - because, as Grandpa Jerry will tell you - it's NEVER too early for a visit to Hanover. I will give Hanover credit - gorgeous views of the Ohio River.

We also spend some time celebrating my Grandpa's 87th birthday! I'm so thankful that 3/4 of my grandparents are alive and healthy. My kids will have memories with them and that means SO much to me.

The farm is a VERY fun place for a 5 year old and a 3 year old! See Jack up in that tractor? He got to ride along with Uncle Larry to bale hay. Highlight of his summer!

Josie put on her boots and went to the chicken coop with Aunt Debbie to collect eggs. Surprisingly - she didn't break any!

Even farm girls can strike a pose.

Grandma Shirlee was there to lend a hand. Traveling with 3 kids is crazy. I'm a little crazy.

But - as I said - it was absolutely worth it to see so many people we miss and love.

And on Sunday - I loaded my crew back into the car and drove home. Fortunately it was only 6.5 hours back. Looking forward to our next visit to the farm. But in the meantime - I need to consider getting my pilot's license.

Alpha Phi Reunion in Indy

Last weekend we met up with my Alpha Phi friends - Lauren (Boh), Georgianne, Kelly, and Kassey - for a "Mom's Weekend" (plus families). It was crazy - but SO fun to see everyone and catch up.

We have managed to produce A LOT of babies! Actually we had 5 in ONE year! From January 2014 to January 2015...we EACH had one! (3 boys and 2 girls)...add in my older two and Kassey's older two - for a grand total of 9 baby Phi's! We were rolling DEEP.

 Our first stop was the Indianapolis Zoo - Jack and Josie loved it!

After the zoo - we checked in to our hotel and headed straight to the pool. All three of my kids LOVED swimming. Nolan was obsessed with the water. It was a little cold - but he didn't care. I think he's going to be a HUGE fan of summer!

 And Josie was loving the water, too! The tu-tu swimsuit was an added bonus.

Nolan met a few potential DePauw girlfriends...including Miss Vivienne. She's just 10 days younger than him. She spent a couple hours crying Saturday night/early Sunday morning - so she was all "you people are cray" on Sunday before we left. She had a point.

And of course, it's not a true sorority function unless you have a t-shirt...so all the kiddos got a Mom's Weekend shirt. Here are Josie, Zach (Kelly's son), and Deco (Boh's son) - sporting their shirts. Such models!

We all had SO much fun. Jack cried when he had to leave. But we promise to have more reunions with the moms (and families).

Home for an Early Christmas

We were back in Indiana for most of last week - celebrating Christmas early with both sides of the family. We officially added three new members to the Clevenger family - which gave all of us a HUGE reason to celebrate!

 We also celebrated an IU win over Butler.

And a Lions win over the Bears. Nolan is really filling out his Stafford jersey. I believe Jack wore this when he was just shy of ONE. So, yeah.

After a couple days in Warsaw, we spent some time in Fort Wayne. Devin & Kristin are in Idaho for the holidays, awaiting the arrival of our niece (due in February). We missed them!

Jack, Nolan, and I stopped by the Carsten house to see Julia and her boys. Jack LOVES seeing his buddies...and I believe Nolan will feel the same excitement soon enough. It's always a super hero convention when they're all together.

We celebrated with Nancy's side of the family on the 23rd. Nolan really wanted to party - but it's so hard to meet so many new people. He was exhausted.

After a brief nap...he shed his Christmas overalls (which were a little snug - shocker) and met his second cousin, John. John is from NYC. He's four months older than Nolan and quickly gave him a right hook. NYC > DETROIT...for now.

Indy Trip

Tyson and I had a wedding in Indy this past weekend - so we left the kids with Grandma Nancy & Grandpa Denny...and headed south.

We met up with my Dad's side of the family to celebrate Connor's graduation from Westfield High School. He's heading off to Ball State this fall!

Gigi got a big hug from Elliott. Jack would have had so much fun playing with him during the party.

After a quick celebration - we made our way downtown to see BROOKE & MIKKEL! The bride and groom both went to Kelley with Tyson & Mik...and now live in Royal Oak! So Michigan friends reunited!

The ceremony was held at the Indiana Statehouse. It's gorgeous! A very fun setting for a wedding.

Somehow Brooke & I always manage to have one of us - either pregnant or breastfeeding when we get together. Someday - we'll both be past those "mommy" days and we'll really live it up! Advance warning, husbands.

The reception was held at the Indiana State Museum....which opened up for us after dinner. It was interesting to walk around and see all of Indiana's history. Took me back to 4th Grade. Mik and I also took some time to dig up mastodon bones.

Tyson and I got our picture taken with Fred - the Mastodon found in Fort Wayne!

We miss them...and their children.

And finally - a picture with the bride & groom - Alex and Amanda! Congrats to them on their journey as husband & wife!