Striking...

the right note

a pose

the ball

This is what the Raabe girls have been up to in November

Middle School Band Concert

This may be my last picture of Olivia participating in band. I have mixed feelings but she decided to drop band for this hexter of school and possibly for good. Her real love of music is choir, show choir and musicals which doesn't leave much time for band. No matter what she does, I love watching her perform.

Inspiring Women Event

I felt so honored to be asked by Emma to participate in her sorority's Inspiring Women's Day. Em loves the girls, the opportunities, the camaraderie, the expectations and the events of Gamma Phi Beta. Lois and Molly (pictured above) are her two besties.

School is going well for Emma although she reports it's harder than last year. She gives tours to new students on campus, recently started working at a Developmental Services Home for 3 lovely ladies and was elected to the executive board for G Phi. This girl is going places and doing exciting things!

Family Husker Day

We love the HUSKERS, we always have! The last few years have been pretty brutal on the football field but that doesn't keep the faithful down, we keep cheering. This year it's getting better but not going to lie, all of Nebraska is looking forward to the next couple of years of growth under Coach Scott Frost. November 17th the 4 football fans in our family braved the elements to watch a very exciting Nebraska vs Michigan State game. It was cold, it even snowed but we loved it all!

In July 2016 HUSKER punter, Sam Foltz and Michigan State punter, Mike Sadler died in a car crash. I mention this because last Saturday was the first time since that tragic accident, these 2 teams have met up on the gridiron. In a game that is known for touchdowns, neither team could manage to score even one TD the entire game. The final score was 9-6 HUSKERS, 5 field goals were scored that day. That means the only scoring was done by kickers. to be honest, I really dislike field goals, but looking back on the day it feels good that we accidentally honored these kickers with 5 field goals.

Sidenote: we did not leave Olivia out. She hates football. While we were at the football game she was at Sing Omaha rehearsal, eating out with Nana and Papa and then had a show choir bonding event. The girl was happy to be in Omaha instead of Lincoln.

EGA ECNL 00/01
This season's impressive record: 11-1-1

Reagan's team has traveled quite a bit in the last 6 weeks. Chris drove her to Detriot, MI for league games in late October. Over Chris' birthday weekend they flew to Phoenix, AZ for a national event. This week during the Thanksgiving break she is in Ontario, CA playing her last 3 club soccer games until late June when they will play in the ECNL National Championships for the second year in a row. (Note: I say "the last 3 games" but I am secretly guessing her coach will add something in January or February before the high school season starts) This afternoon after the HUSKER - Hawkeye football game is over we will watch Reagan's club soccer team play on periscope. I am thankful for parents who stream the games.

Back 2 School

New Classes

New Teachers

New Outfits

New Schedules

New Opportunities

The first couple weeks month of school is full of new things and depending on your outlook it can be a really great time of the year.

My girls dread waking up early and homework but everything else about school is exciting, even going to class. Let's celebrate the kick off of Middle School, High School and College 2018

 

Liv celebrated back to school with a small gathering of friends eating pizza, throwing water balloons and making stress balls. You know, 7th graders need to keep stress under control.

She was also asked to carry the local high school marching band banner in the Millard Days Parade. If it wouldn't have been so hot I think it would have been a big hit.

   

The Back 2 School dance at Reagan's high school is the biggest deal in town. :) I love the group of girls she hangs out with from school. They are smart, hard working athletes...soccer, basketball and volleyball. We've also made it to a couple University of Nebraska soccer games. Now that she is committed to play Husker soccer, going to the games take on a whole new level of enjoyment. 

  

Emma is back at school too. One of the highlights of college and sorority life is rush/recruitment week. Em loves being a Gamma Phi. Classes are going well and she is very happy with her campus tour job. Seeing Em leave for school was a bittersweet day. I doubt she will ever live at home again but then I am reminded that our goal is to raise confident strong young ladies who will go figure out the world and then come home for a visit. I'm so proud of some of the tough decisions she has already made, this girl is going to be a champion!

Sorry, no picture of my handsome hubby but he's back to school too.
I've been waiting for a picture with his girls HS softball team...a month later and I still don't have one so time to complete this post. 

She Sings ... She Plays ... She Loves It

The Final Elementary music concert 

W O O   H O O ! ! !

What a great cheering section, Nana, Great Grandma, Aunt Holly, big sister Emma and always...Mom!

R2 Singers is a group of 4th and 5th graders, similar to show choir but not an audition group. Next year Liv will be back to regular choir and then in 7th and 8th grade I'm guessing she will try out for show choir. This girl loves to perform!

Our school district is in a financial crisis. Every year there seems to be a $5-6 million shortage and programs have to be cut. Starting 2017/2018 high school students will no longer be able to participate in band, orchestra and choir. I'm not exactly sure how this creates a financial win for the district but I also don't have all the background information. Liv has a few more years until she has to make that final decision. Middle school is designed to give students an opportunity to try out many interests.

Babe, you are a joy to watch perform. Keep working hard to improve your skill as God has given you a beautiful gift of music. No matter what you do, we love you forever and always.