High Five for Friday...but mostly Luke!

This week has been filled with lots of High Fives for Luke!

#1
Celebrating Luke's Birthday with Beckmanns/Moyers

Each February, Luke chooses an activity for my side of the family to do together in honor of his birthday.  This year's activity was ice skating.  Luke and Nora both gave it a shot for the first time.  It was rough going for Luke,  but he kept with it.  Nora made it around the rink once with one hand on the wall and one hand on Daddy's, then she decided she'd had enough.  Bridget and Ross even got Piper (18 months) on skates:)  Ross still wins for the most natural and comfortable on skates;)  It was a fun outing and new adventure for the kids.

Piper's first skates:)

Nora was adorable in her little skates!

Needing a little support

Go Piper! 

Happy boys:)

I always appreciate when I get a pic with my boy:)

#2
School Conferences

Tuesday night we had Luke's second conference for fourth grade.  He's doing great, making strides in all subjects, and was complimented generously by his teacher.  Specifically,  she said he follows directions well and that he's a quiet leader, meaning he leads classmates by example.  We are so very proud!

#3
Terrific Kids Award Recipient

Wednesday morning, Luke was also surprised, along with a few other kids in each grade, with a Terrific Kid Award for exhibiting good manners at school.   Gibbs Elementary focuses on different character traits each month and then students in each grade are recognized as examples of those traits.  It's always a surprise for the kids and the teachers secretly invite the parents to the assembly.  Even more to be proud of with our boy!

Getting his award from his principal and teacher

Recipients from kindergarten, second, and fourth grades

Man, he's looking grown up!

Luke's cheering squad:)

Certificate with comments from his teacher

#4

Celebrating Luke's Birthday with Pickers

Instead of throwing a birthday party this year, Luke decided he wanted to bring his cousins, Mekhi and Ethan skiing.  We opened the invite to the rest of the family and nearly everyone joined us (no Papa, Gma, Troy, Alaina, Nora).  We had a beautiful night at Welch Village and skied right up to closing time.   It was Brent and Audra's first time skiing since they were in high school, Ethan's first time snowboarding on a ski hill, Luke's second time skiing, and everyone survived without injury and improved throughout the evening:)  Luke and Mekhi even ended the night on a black diamond!  A good time was had by all:)

Chairlift fun

So proud of my man for coming...he was nervous getting back on skis.  Plus we had lots of fun:)

Looks like I was riding the chairlift with a couple of zombies;)

These two were partners in crime on the hills.

My guys

Tired boys after several hours of skiing/snowboarding

#5
Move In Date!

We finally (for this planner) have an official move in date!  This Picker crew will become Stewartville residents on March 15!!!  The house is quickly coming together.  This week we got paint on the trim and walls, cabinet doors/drawers, and light fixtures.

#6 Bonus!

Brent's city league basketball team won the league championship game on Thursday.