Look whose coming to dinner!

Jim (Roy) and Nancy (Nanika) Thomas

The Thomas' our favorite golf partners came over for dinner last night to see our new Pet Gecko and to fix the vertical blinds. Right away we had to put Roy to work trying to find the Cricket that got loose... We had a very nice night with them. Jill was keeping Nancy busy showing her all of her pictures and her showing her how to play Nintendo DS... Nancy was very entertained.
Cal showed Roy his new baseball hitting machine in the basement and and his New i-pod. Thanks for fixing the blinds... and sharing your great story about your trip Arizona golfing, to the Apache trail, sounds like retirement is becoming more fun!! Miss you! come over again soon!

New Pet for Cal ( UGH !) Nahla is her name.

Chris Phalen came over to help us, He went to the pet store with us and everything.


Look closely and you'll see the newest member of the Mathison family ZOO ! Cal bought himself (sort of) a Malaysian Gecko. She ( Nahla) is one year old and very pretty... I guess. Cal is Thrilled, Jill is not sure What to think and Tim and I are wondering what happened to us that we have 2 cats, hermit crabs, fish and now a gecko? I love parenting :) I just don't have the ability to say NO very well.



Lunch ! Nahla only eats live crickets and meal worms... ugh.


Her old home....

Nahla's new home :) in Cal's room.



We will keep you all posted on the progress of our little Gecko Nahla.

Welcome Home Tyler!

We went to a surprise welcome home party for Tyler Davies a former Student/ baseball player who graduated 7 years ago...then went on to play baseball for Creighton University (catcher) and then he went on to the Marines...He served our country for 5 years and 4 tours in Iraq. He was front line the whole time and we are so grateful that he is home in one piece . We had a great night celebrating his safe return to our country, and thanked him for his service.

Nate, Brandon, Tyler and Jesse... What a great bunch of guys!


Tyler ( catcher at Creighton) and Brandon ( 2nd base at Nebraska) Arguing over who was the better player and the better team. (Nebraska did make it to the College world series that year)
Tyler insisted that Brandon never got him out :) Great Conversation!


Tyler loves being home with his friends and family!

Star Student x 2 breakfast

Both Cal and Jill were selected as the December Star student in their grade. We were thrilled to get to have double the star power !


Cal is in Mrs. Tibbetts 5th grade class. It is a combo class and it has been great fun! Mrs. Tibbetts said the most amazing things about Cal I had tears in my eyes, she has been Cal's teacher for 2 years and we have loved every minute with her. I wish we could bottle her energy and love for teaching. What a wonderful experience we have all had. She is moving to Hawaii this summer so we are going REALLY to miss her. ( and her family) We hope she comes back to Nebraska when her husband is done with his assignment there.

Cal and Mrs. Tibbetts
















Jill is in 2nd grade and we were lucky enough to have Mrs. Penny Kimball as her teacher, she was also Cal's 2nd grade teacher and we have known her ( and her family) for many years... She has known both of the kids since birth, she is such a wonderful and caring teacher we are so blessed to have her in our life. Penny's family is one we all admire, they are the model of love and friendship and respect. I can only hope to my kids will grow up to be like hers. Thank you Penny for all you have done for our kids for the past 11 years.













Jill and Mrs. Kimball

Basketball fever ! Cal's Jr. Monarch 5th grade team

Jill is the best cheerleader in town !!

#11 running back on defense

Taking the ball down court... Cal is Mr. Assist.


No FOUL! Cal plays full contact basketball ....we were in the ER after this game! Just a sprain this time! He got a brace to wear for the week. Still managed to practice ( his coach is crazy)

Look out here I come.... He is learning to use is strength.

Last day of Winter break

The boys being coached by Tim during a time out ( thanks for the help Coach Kneifl)


Our runner up team...The 5th grade Jr. Monarchs;
Chad, Max, Ethan, Cal, Austin, Johnny,Matt,Colin, Alex

Eating out with the boys between games: Cal, Max, Matt, and Alex.

The Alber's boys , Mitch and Tyler



Sunday the 4th, Say Goodbye winter break, goodbye sleeping in, sitting around in my PJ's, reading the paper and sipping hot coffee..... HELLO 2nd semester!

Cal and Tim had a great weekend of basketball... we would have liked a few more "W's" but the boys played very well and managed to win 2nd place in their 5th grade division. The tournament was hosted by UNO so we had chance to chat and catch up with former Monarchs, Tyler and Mitch Alber's. They are brothers who now play ball for UNO. Home Games are Wednesday and Saturdays- Go Mavs!

Hope this find everyone having a great start to the new year!

New years Eve and Day with the Paschals

Gabby and Julia playing Left, right, center all smiles.... until Jill won the Money!!

Cal and Jeff relaxing at Midnight watching people jump over volcanoes?? and the Arc d' Triumph( that was sort of cool)
What a strange night in Vegas!
Chloe and Jill being cute... it's what they do !!
Amy and Jim Hosting a rock star party New years day for the Amazing Huskers who pulled out a win!! Thanks for the fun day .... Matty made it 12 hours with all those people!!!

Eating at Spaghetti works on New years eve...

Christmas with the other Mathison's

Tonight ( Jan 2nd ) we celebrated the holidays with Tim brother Steve and his family, Pam, Eli, Kate and Wil. Lots of fun for the kids, they made mini pizzas for dinner and then we opened presents (the last ones under the tree) and then we just sat around and talked while the kids played. Cal has another tournament this weekend at UNO , so we are going to be busy our last few days off, Jill is planning a sleep over at Aunt Pam's with Kate instead of watching yet another game of Cal's :) We plan to take the tree and holiday stuff down on Sunday, feels like we just put it up... What a great holiday season it was... hard to think it is all over already.

Here are some pictures from the night... Hope everyone is enjoying 2009 so far, we are!

one last note.. YEAH HUSKERS! the year started off better with the Win on New years day!