November 2023

November has flown by with a lot of school, work, fun, and parties.  One major event was attending cousin Abby's wedding in Iowa, where most of the Fitz  family got together and then the girls made their way to Nebraska afterward.  They had fun making sweatshirts, visiting the zoo, and playing games.  Afterwards, they brought Nana and Papa back to Minnesota for Thanksgiving and more fun.  Volleyball games, the Christmas market, Black Friday shopping and plenty of food made for a great time.

We wandered some lakes while the weather was nice, but the temps dropped for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  The girls both adore their new hamsters and still miss their former ones.  Nina's band took part in "band-o-rama" and she continues to do a good job with her instrument.  We're already looking forward to our next holiday and break from school. ;)

Last round of golf   ----    Ben has enjoyed his curling league time

A month in

School has been busy!  We are all doing our best to work hard, learn, have fun, and help others.  It has been pretty hectic and time has been made tougher as Ben is teaching an overage this semester.  The girls are both doing well in their Chinese classes as well and Pip has seen great improvement.

Nina likes middle school well enough and is happy to be at the same school two years in a row for the first time since 2nd-3rd grade.  She likes Language Arts the best and her teacher in there, and also enjoys her growth in Band.

Vivian is really liking 5th grade and the freedom and responsibility her class has been given by her teacher.  She has become an after school patrol member to help students get on the bus and has had a smooth time with her peers thus far.  She was chosen as a student council rep, attended family night at the swim meet, and took part in the Homecoming parade.

Kara is still working to get the little kiddos properly trained on how to "school." It takes a lot of time and patience, but they're slowly getting the swing of full-day preschool.

In other news, we've been enjoying a fair amount of fall activities too.  We went to viewing party of the Twins in their playoff run (note they made it past the first round this year), harvest fest to see big pumpkins, some concerts, and a failed attempt to see the eclipse.  The marathon was cancelled this year, so we were sad to miss out on visiting that, but we keep runnin' anyway.

Nina has caught up to Kara in height

Summer 2023

It's been a marvelous summer and we've had a lot of fun.  Outside of our European trip and road trip, we had a lot of other enjoyable times and here's a bunch of photos to remember it by.  Family time and many MN classics made for a full and wonderful summer.

Gophers - Huskers Football      ---      Singing and snacks

Maggie sleepover

Curling in Chaska

Walker & fishing

Slip-slide-splash  &   Summer Camp

Como Obon Festival

Sea Life

Como Town

Golf tourneys and dinners with the neighbors

Played with house money at the casino   ---   Nina won bowling

Fred and new hamster, Rhino