Collections and Displays

Lillian was recently asked if she was interested in having her collection of Take A Part Erasers put on display at the local Library.

She was quite excited to take her collection of over 80 erasers and to put them in the display.

While Lillian was thrilled for the opportunity, she daily asks for when she can have her display back :)

Thanksgiving

While it wasn't quite the same as when the Meierdiercks crew is with us, we still had a lovely time together celebrating Thanksgiving.

We have much to be Thankful for :)

One Room School House

Lillian's 3rd grade class at the opportunity to visit the County One Room School house. The students were encouraged to dress in period attire for the 1890's and to bring their lunches in a pail or basket.

Lillian was quite excited for the trip and had a great time :)

Thanks to all who helped make this day a success for Lillian

Spa day with my Bestie

The best medicine is time with a friend :)

Who says its all work and no play?

Enjoying a lovely cup of tea and time with my bestie at a nearby hotel and spa. Long chats and pampering was the perfect beginning to my week in the UK.

 Blessed to call this woman my friend for the last 8 years.

Looking forward to our next adventures together.

London 2016

Spending the day in the city with my love :)

After arriving on the early flight from the US, we dropped our luggage at the house and headed by train into the city for the day (mostly to keep ourselves awake and to adjust to the time difference).

We enjoyed lunch at this fantastic pub 

 Chicken and Mushroom pie for me and Beef and Bacon pie for Rob.

The atmosphere was fantastic and so quintessential English. 

We decided to continue our adventure and see the play No Man's Land with Patrick Stewart (when in the city why not get a bit of culture too).

The play was a bust (post modern nonsense) but the company was good.

It was a wonderful day together- good food, great company and a city I love.

Until our next adventure.

BOA Regional Champions

Another first place finish for the Avon Marching Black and Gold at BOA Super Regionals this past weekend.
Avon 1st
Carmel 2nd
Homestead 3rd

This was the same ranking and finish for the the bands as at State Finals the previous weekend :)

BOA (Bands of America) Super Regional consists of bands from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois.

Well Done Madi!!!!

This weekend the band competes in its final competition for the year in BOA Grand Nationals.
Avon will compete against the winning bands of Regionals, as well as, bands from across the country.

Avon performs Thursday at 8pm in Grand National Prelims then Semi Finals Saturday morning/afternoon, and hopefully Finals Saturday evening.

Go Forth- Madi.

Then and Now

Its not often that pictures are "re-created" in the Sparkman house- so its a real treat and pure joy for this Momma when it happens.

5 years ago

This picture hangs in our dining room, a constant reminder of the journey we travel together as a family, with the next adventure just ahead

And here we are, 5 years later- a little taller, and many more adventures ahead

This just happened by accident... you can't help having a great back ground 

I love my Sparkles (and their Daddy). 

I am blessed!

Fall Family Fun

Happy Birthday Rob

Celebrating 36 years of Awesome

Love you :)

State Finals

After winning 1st place at both Regionals and Semi State, the Triplets were excited to head to State Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium, in downtown Indianapolis. 

Top 10 bands of Class A- in performing order

 The Mighty Avon

 Just a few from the show- it was fantastic

Avon won- State Champions 2016

Lilli's Lizard

Mornings at the bus stop

Center Grove Invitational

Marching Band seasons is drawing to a close- this was the last invitational before Regionals, Semi State and State.

We were so blessed to have Aunt Beth and cousin Thomas in the stands with us.

Lillian is definitely one of Madison's biggest fans! 

Everyone needs a little sister to cheer them on. 

Fall Break

Morning donuts

Afternoon naps

With lots of fun in-between

Happy Fall

a bit of pumpkin fun

Happy Halloween

From the two cutest Legos

Marching Band

This weekend is the last regular performance before Regionals and hopefully State.
This will be the first time the band performs their entire show.

The band has worked hard to complete their 4 part show and Madison has loved being a part of this fantastic group.

Here are a few pictures.... from the last competition.

Madison is the top baritone player

 And she is one of these... your guess is as good as mine :)

The hardest part of Marching Band for this Momma is not being able to tell which one is my Madi. I realize that the whole point is for her blend in and not stand out but it makes this Momma's heart just a smidge anxious.
But anxious or not, this Momma is proud! Madison is working hard and loving her experience.

"Go forth" Madison! We are proud of you!

Apple Festival

Last weekend we had the joy of having our dear friends Steffan and Eva (and their adorable sons Julian and Jakob) come to visit us from Germany. 

Steffan and Rob were roommates in college at the University of Florida. 

For the last 12 years we have been blessed to visit with one another (alternating us to Germany and them to the US). 

This year they wanted to finally see our new house (we moved in 4 years ago). 

Besides visiting and playing games together, we enjoyed a trip to the local orchard for the Apple Festival. 

We enjoyed a trek through the VERY muddy corn maze  and a ride on the hayride. We opted to not head into the also muddy fields to pick a pumpkin

 Time for a few pictures before eating some tasty treats- apple dumplings and caramel apples

 We are so blessed to call these people are friends.

Until our next visit :)

Lillian's Field Trip

Lillian went with her 3rd grade class to the Fairgrounds. They had a great time.