Day 2864 | All Good Things...

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I started blogging when Robbe was about two months old and Chase was freshly two (insert first ever blog post here). I was feeling isolated in a city I loved but without family (and most of our friends) nearby. The blog felt like a simple way for folks to stay connected to our lives and watch our boys grow up. And grow up they have. Fast forward 10.5+ years and 2,863 blog posts and I’m here to announce that our little family has outgrown this blog.

With a preteen and teenager in the house, privacy has become more important. We’re chatting with them more about what we share online and are sensitive to their preferences. I’m going to miss this chronicle of the big and small moments of our lives, but it’s been a slow exit as the posts have been more sporadic over the last year. I’m ready.

I am considering sharing some updates via email to a very small group. Shoot me an email (smallcitybigdays@gmail.com) if you’d like to be included on this distribution list. Some of you are already receiving my posts to your inbox, but I’d love it if you would email me so I can make sure you still want to subscribe. My emails won’t be daily. In fact, I’m sure they’ll be very infrequent, but I’m hoping it’ll still keep us connected in a small way.

I’m beyond thankful to all of you for joining us on our family blogging journey. It’s been a fun and very rewarding project for me. Here’s to all the BIG days ahead.

Day 2863 | Halloween 2025

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Another Halloween in the books! This year we had Burt Macklin from the TV show Parks and Recreation (Chase) and 8-Ball from the Fortnite video game (Robbe). Both boys went with friends this time around so Chris and I had our first Halloween *off* in 13 years and we weren’t sad about it one bit. We all had a fun evening and then came back together to celebrate the candy haul–the most impressive yet.

Halloweens Past

Enjoy a quick history of all of the boys’ costumes over the years. I love looking back at all these photos, so I thought you might as well.

2024 - Banana and Marethyu
2023 - Dr. Strange and Nitten
2022 - Clone Trooper and Marethyu
2021 - Poseidon and Ares
2020 - Legends of Zelda Family Costume
2019 - Ninjas
2018 - King and Knight
2017 - Scientist and Spider
2016 - Frozone and Tool Guy
2015 - Firefighter and Dalmation
2014 - Hedgehogs
2013 + 2012 - Goldfish and Owl (just Chase)

Day 2861 | Haunted Trail Fundraiser

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I know, I know. It’s been forever. Instead of apologizing, I’ll just say that I have been thinking about the blog and all of you, it just hasn’t been fitting into my life like it used to—the time for posting and the daily photos at my disposal. I hope you understand.

It’s been a lovely start to the school year. The boys are both thriving (in the same school again!) and we’ve hit a rhythm with our weekdays and weekends.

I’m not sure what the future holds for this blog, but here’s a creepy photo of us while I figure it out. We volunteered to scare folks at the 4-H club’s haunted trail again. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why someone would want to be scared constantly for an hour but I’m glad they show up and support our local youth.

Day 2857 | Chippewa Falls Fun Day

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Chase and I had such a fun day together. We explored Chippewa Falls—a neighboring city to Eau Claire where we never spend any time. We went to a new food market, explored the riverfront bench swings, enjoyed root beer floats, supported a few local shops, learned a lot at the Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry and Technology, and more…if you can believe it!

Thank goodness for no plans and the space to explore. Today was a lovely day.

Day 2846 | 4-H Fair Time

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We did it! We made it to the fair project drop off. Between both boys, we delicately delivered 41 projects—from posters to candles, and photography to Legos. This was probably my favorite fair-prep season so far. I had so much fun passing on my crafting and design knowledge—and trying out new projects, too. The boys were very patient and motivated through it all.

Judging starts tomorrow so I’ll be sure to report back!