It’s my annual time of year to hop onto the blog and document the year. I feel this year, we purposely tried to balance having plans and not having plans. As much as we love seeing family, friends, traveling and doing fun things – rest and relaxation is becoming more and more important the older we get. We enjoy the simple joy of a slow morning, drinking coffee and enjoying Anna snuggles while she watches her favorite TV show, Wild Kratts.

Winter

Jacob’s First Birthday (Party)

ISU Basketball Game (they played terrible and lost, though)

Children’s Museum in Coralville with Olive and Stephanie

Annual Butchering at Krier’s

Des Moines Waldschmitt Weekend

Visit to McCartan’s in Cedar Falls

BlueZoo (The Day Anna lost her first tooth!)

Art Room Volunteering

Spring

40th Birthday Celebration

Ryan’s Fishing Trip to Lake Eerie

Father/Daughter Dance

Will’s high school graduation (+ other graduation parties)

A visit from McCartans

School Mass – Anna got to do an intention reading!

Softball Spring Season

Brooks & Dunn Concert

Summer

Ruba Family Gathering in Des Moines (rain ruined our zoo plans)

Mya & Will’s Games

I-Cubs Game

Swim Lessons

Alumni Tournament

4th of July event at Des Moines Golf

Okoboji with Feecks (Anna’s first time!)

Mini Vacation to Balsam Lake and Lake City

Anna’s first “Friend” birthday party (also a family celebration)

State Fair

Grand Canyon Vacation (for Mom & Dad)

Anna’s Week at Nana and Papa’s

Fall

Cousin Maggie’s Wedding

Vintage Market with Paige (becoming an annual thing!)

Keith Urban Concert with Mom

Softball Fall Season

First Iowa Credit League Convention (Work)

Grandparents’ Day at School with Grandpa and Grandma

Neighborhood Octoberfest

Chaperoned Anna’s Field Trip To Ledges State Park

Howell’s Pumpkin Patch

Mason McCartan’s Wedding

Remsen’s Octoberfest

Nashville Trip with McCartys

Iowa State football game (Anna’s first!)

Spa Day with Steph

Basketball Season

Holidays

Easter Egg Hunt with Irelyn

Easter at Jill and Wes’

Memorial Day McCarty Pool Party

Fourth of July

Halloween

Halloween Office Trick Or Treating

Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad’s

Santa Visit at McCarty’s

Christmas Concert

Saying Goodbye to GG.

At the end of October, my maternal grandmother passed away. She got sick quickly, so we all weren’t quite ready for her to leave us. The hardest part was telling Anna that “GG” had gone to Heaven. Anna said … “Why did I get such a short time with her? Why couldn’t she stay forever?” I don’t forever would be long enough for any of us when it comes to being with our loved ones.

Year in Review: 2025