BirthandEarlyChildhood

5090daysagoitallstartedwhenmymotherwenttoMercyHospitalinDubuque,
Iowa,onaswelteringMondaysummernight.Shegavebirthtoabeautiful,kind,and
lovingbabygirlat9:57p.m.onJune11,2001.Iwaseightpoundsandfiveouncesand
20incheslong.Myfatherandmother,BrianandLindaRecker,decidedonthename
NatalieMarie.Nataliebecausetheylovedthename,andMarieaftermymothers
middlename.Thenextday,June12,Igottomeetmytwoandahalfyearoldsister,
Rachel,andfourandahalfyearoldbrother,Luke.Rachelwasbouncingwithjoy
becauseshewassodelightedtofinallymeetmeaftersuchalongwait.Ontheother
hand,Lukewasonlyimpressedbymeforaminuteandthensawtheplaygroundright
besidethehospitalroom.OnJune13,myparentsandIleftthehospitalandwentto
Cascade,Iowa,wheremyhomeisandallofmyclosefriends.Withtworambunctious
siblings,beingababywasexhausting,andIrequiredalotofsleep!
Atjusttwoweeksold,myfamilymadethecrazydecisiontotakemecampingin
Decorah,Iowa!IgottomeetmyuncleGreg,mydadsbrother,andhiswifeLora.They
wereoverjoyedtoseeme,andheldmeoften.Onmyfirstcampingtrip,wetooklotsof
walks.
OnJuly15th,Iwasbaptizedbymygrandpa,MarvRecker!Itwasthecoolest
thingtogetbaptizedbyhim,andIwasonlyhissecondbaptismoutofover60!My
parentsdecidedonmymomsbrother,Wayne,andmydadssister,Katie,for
godparents.IworeachristeninggownthatwasmadebymygreatgrandmaMableCarr

andwornbymanyofmyrelativesbeforeme.Thecelebrationafterwardswasatour
house,andmanyofmyaunts,uncles,andcousinsattended.
WhenIwasthreemonthsold,theterroristattackontheWorldTradeCenter
occurred.Itwasamajoreventinhistory.
AroundthissametimeIbeganmydaycareexperiencesatMercyHospitalin
Dubuquewheremymomworked.Katieworkedtheretoo!Itwasawesomehavingmy
momthere,andsometimesshewouldevencometovisitmewhenshewasonher
break.IstayedthereuntilIwasfive,soIwasusedtogettingupearlyinthemorning
threetimesaweektogotodaycare.
ThenextseveralmonthsflewbyandbeforeweknewitIwaswalkingateleven
andahalfmonths.WhenIstartedwalkinga,IwouldknockLukesbuildingandtowers
down.AlthoughLukewouldgetfrustratedwithme,helovedme!
Onmyfirstbirthday,myparentsinvitedallmyrelatives.IwassoexcitedwhenI
gotmyfirstbabyfromMom,Dad,Luke,andRachel.Itwassuchafundayatmy
grandparentshouseonFathersday.EventhoughIdontremember,IknowIhadlots
offun!
Alsoaroundthistime,myparentsdecideditwasthetimetostarttakingmy
pacifieraway,andIcouldonlyhaveitatnight.BecauseIlovedmypacifiersomuch,I
didntmindgoingtosleepbecauseIwouldgetmybinky.MyfamilyandIwouldbe
downstairswatchingamovie,andIwouldtakeoffgoingupthestairsblurting,Night,
nightbinky.IonlywantedtogotobedsoIcouldgetmybinky.Mymomordadwould
comeaftermetellingmeitwasnttimetogotobedyet.

InAugustof2002,myfamilyandIwenttoYogiBeartocamp,whichwasa
campingparkwithaswimmingpool.Weallhadablastanddidntwanttoleave!
IwasabusygirlbecauseIwasalwayschasingafterLukeandRachel.Thenext
Easter,IgotalotofcandyfromtheEasterbunnyandwantedtohavejustthatfor
breakfast,lunch,andsupper.MydadsaidthatIhadhadenoughthatdayandhiditin
thebathtub.Ifounditinthetubandstartedeatingsomemorechocolate.Afterjustfive
minutesoflookingforme,theyfoundmeeatingitinthetub.
INSERTPICTURE.
InMayof2003,mygodmother,Katie,askedmeifIwouldbetheflowergirl.Of
courseIwantedto,andIgottodoitwithmycousin,CalliRecker!Itwassoenjoyable
togetdolledup,wearingaspecialdress,andgettingmyhairdone.Igottospendlots
oftimewithmyfamilyandespeciallyKatie.
Attwoandahalfyearsold,Ihaddiscoveredmybestfriend,KateManternach.
WewenttotheWisconsinDellstogetherandhadsuchafuntimeitwasoneofmy
favoritevacations.Kateissuchanawesomefriendtome,andwewereliketwopeasin
apod!SomeofthememoriesIhavefromherwilllastforever!

Preschool&Kindergarten
Preschool
Atfouryearsold,mycousins,aunt,andunclemovedtoCascade.Matt,Jenny,
Jake,Calli,Samantha,andCarliweresoexcitedtobemovingclosertomy
grandparentshouse,sotheycouldvisitalotmore.BecauseourwholeReckerfamily
helpedthemmovein,wewerethereforanextensiveamountoftime.Itwasso
amusingbecausewehavesuchabigfamilythatitisrarewhenweallcometogether
andcelebratesomething.Althoughitwasalongdayofmovingthemin,thekids
werenthelpbecausetheywereplayinginthemuddyyard.
Oncetheymovedin,mysisterandIhadSamanthaandCallioveralot.We
wouldplayschoolinourtoyroom.Myaunts,KatieandDianne,gaveusoldworksheets
andteacherbookstouseasschoolassignments.Mymomboughtusabigwhiteboard
tobehung,andsomeotherschoolaccessories,suchasthealphabetaroundthewall.
Aneighborgaveusschooldesksthattheyweregoingtothrowaway,andwewere
beamingwithjoywhenwesawallofthecoolstuff.Wecouldntwaittouseitall!We
alsoalwaysplayedchurch.Wehadatoyboxthatwewoulduseasthealtar.We
wouldusechipsasthebody,andawineglasswithgrapejuicefortheblood.Wegot
misaletsfrommygrandmawhowehelpedtakeouttheoldonesandputinthenew
ones.IamsothankfulthatMatt,Jenny,andfamilymovedtoCascadebecausewe
alwaysturneddailyhangoutsintotwodaysleepoversandlovedeveryminuteofit!
INSERTPICTURE

IcontinuedgoingtoMercyHospitalforpreschool.Irememberplayingwith
AmandaReaandBrianneHennebery.Wehelpedeachotherdohomeworkbyreading
toeachother,andwebuiltlargetowersoutofblocksandcompletedpuzzlestoo.My
teacherswereDebandStacey.
Duringsummerbeforekindergarten,KaylaandJennaWalleserbabysatLuke,
Rachel,andme.Wealwayswenttothepoolanddidenjoyablecrafts,andsometimes
wewouldgoonbikeridesorwalks.AlthoughLukewasgonefiddlingaroundwith
friendsalot,Rachel,Kayla,andIhadourownfun!
Kindergarten
Onthefirstkindergartenfieldtrip,wewenttothepumpkinpatch.Weallgotto
pickoutourownpumpkin.Ilovedit!MyhomeroomteacherwasMrs.Heims.Wewere
thefirstclasstohaveher.Shewasoneofmyfavoriteteachers!
AroundChristmastime,wewroteletterstoSanta,andwealsomadeornaments
toputontheChristmastree.Itwasaroundpieceofwoodpaintedwhitewithtwoblack
dotsassnowmeneyes,anorangecarrotnose,andlotsofblackdotsforthemouth.
InAprilof2007,Ihadtogetmytonsilstakenout.MydoctorwasDr.King.Even
thoughIwasreallyscaredbecauseitwasmyfirstsurgery,Iwasoverjoyedtogetmy
tonsilsoutsoIcouldhearmuchbetter.WhenIgottothehospital,Iwasdirectedtomy
roombyoneofmymomscoworkers.Igotintheroomandsawlotsofpresentsonthe
bedfrommymomsworkfriends.Ialsosawastuffedpinkpuppywithaballoononit
frommymomanddad.Mygrandparentsweretheretoo.WhileIwaswaitingforthe
surgerytobegin,IplayedwithsomeofthenewpresentsIgot.Iremembereatinga

popsiclerightbeforethesurgery,andmylipsturnedpurple!AfterIwokeupfromthe
surgery,Iwasgreetedbymymom,dad,andgrandparents,MarvandRita.Even
thoughIcriedalittlebitbecauseIdidntknowwhereIwas,withoutdelay,Icouldhear
better!Igottobewheeledoutinawheelchair,andIthoughtitwassocool.Ihadlots
ofballoonsfromfriendsandfamily.Myclassandmysistersclassmadecardsforme.
Itmademefeelsoloved!Istayedhomeforoneweek,andmymomboughtme
pudding,icecream,gatorade,andothersoftfoodsbecauseIcouldnteatanyhard
foods.EventhoughIdidntgettoseemyfriendsforawholeweek,Iwassodelighted
tostayhomewithmymom.WhenIwenttogetmyhomeworkwithmymomforthe
week,mywholeclassgreetedmehollering,Openyourmouth,Iwanttoseeifyou
actuallygotthemout!alsoYay!shesbacksafe!.Itwassocooltoseeallmyfriends
againespeciallysincetheywereeagertoseeme!

FirstGrade
Firstgradewasayearoffamily,withtwonewbabiesandaFIrstCommunion.
OnJunesecond,2007,mycousinLillyaunaCatherineKoopmannwasborn.Iwasso
excitedbecauseitwasmygodmothersveryfirstchild!IlovedholdingherbecauseI
havealwayslovedchildren.Lillywasajoy

tohaveintheReckerfamily.Welaughed
whileshegothelpbysomanyopeningherpresentsthinkingofhowshewasgoingto
benearlyidenticaltohermotherwhenshewasolder!Wealllovedtomakehersmile
andalsolovedtoplayagamewithher!
InadditionwewelcomedanotherbabygirlontheKlostermannsideonJune28,
2007.HerparentssettledonthenameSamanthaAnnKlostermann.Sheisalsoa
wondertohaveinourKlostermannfamily.IrememberbeingexstaticbecauseIhad
twonewcousinswithinonemonth!Ilovedwatchingthemgrowmonthbymonth,year
byyearbecomingmoreandmoreindependenteachday!
Althoughsummerwassuchablast,everyoneknewitwasthattimeofyearagain
todiveintoanotherschoolyear.IwantedMrs.Loessobad,andIgottohaveheras
myteacher!Shewasagreatteachertomebecauseshealwaysknewhowtoputa
smileonmyface!
However,Iwassoexcitedtohaveshowandtell!

OneofthethingsIwasso
excitedtoshowwasthepinkpuppymyparentsgotformeforgettingmytonsilsout
becauseIwantedtotellthestoryofwhyIhadtogetthemout.Ilovedshowandtell
becauseweallgottosharesomethingsocoolabouteachother,andIgottomakenew
friendsbecauseIknewthembettereachdaybecauseofthis!

Whenitwasniceenoughoutside,thefirstgrade,mywholegrade,hadhanging
contestsonthemonkeybars.Wewouldgetinlinetohaveacompetitiontoseewho
couldhangthelongestonthemonkeybars,andsometimestheywouldlastforfive
minutes.Althoughthecompetitionswereveryfun,theywouldmakeourhandsblue
becausethemonkeybarswereblue.
Mrs.Oeschger,theotherfirstgradeteacher,hadmonarchbutterfliesthatwegot
towatchgrowoutofitscocoonandlaterwouldletitflyaway!Wewouldobserveit
carefullyeachdayasitwouldstartasacaterpillarandsoonturnintoabeautiful
butterfly!Wewouldallgooutsideasaclassandwatchitflyaway!

SecondGrade
Surprise!WhenIturnedsevenmysisterandmomputtogetherasurpriseparty!
IwasatafriendshousewhenmymomcalledtosayIneededtocomehomesoIcould
havefriendsover.Iwasfuriousatmymombecausewewereinthemiddleofagame.
AlthoughIwasangrywithmymom,Icouldntwaittohavefriendsover.Next,rightasI
walkedinmyhouse,allmyfriendsjumpedoutfrombehindthewall.AtfirstIwasmad
becausetheyscaredme,butthenIthoughtitwassocooltohavemyveryownsurprise
party!
Itwastimetostartschoolonceagainaseverybodystartedgettingbackintoa
routine.Secondgradewasthefirstyearinthenewbuilding.Theoldbuildingwasvery
old,andthereneededtobeachange.Itwasan
exceptional
freshstarttothe
20082009schoolyear.Sincetheofficeswerentquitefinished,we,assecondgraders,
gottobeinthenewbuilding.Thesecondgradehadthreedifferentteachers:Mrs.
Kopes,Mrs.Trumm,andMrs.Knepper,butthetwo
latter
splithalftheday,sothey
sharedaroom.MyhomeroomteacherswereMrs.TrummandMrs.Knepper,but
everybodyhadMrs.Kopesformath.
NotonlydidIhavetwoteachers,butIhadtwopregnantteachers!Wedida
guessforeachteacherwhentheyweregoingtohavetheirbaby.Thewinnergota
candybar,andnobodycouldwaitforthemtohavetheirbabybecausewewantedto
knowwhothewinnerwas!
Acouplemonthsflewby,andbeforeweknewit,wewerepreparingfor
Reconciliation.Weallweresoscaredtoconfessoursinstothepriest,andsowe

wouldeachgobehindeachother,buteventuallywewouldhavetogointheroom,soI
wentfirst.Afterwhatseemedlikeaneternity,butwasonlyaboutfiveminutes,Iwas
finishedtellingthepriestmysins.OnceIwasfinishedsayingmypenance,Ithought
aboutwhyIwassoscaredbecauseweareallhumans,andweallmakemistakes.
Inthefollowingyear,April2009,wehadourFirstCommunion.Wedidalotof
preparingbeforeittoreallyunderstandwhatwewouldbeconsuming.Onethingwedid
topreparewasgototheBasilicainDyersvilleandmakehosts.Itwasreallyneattosee
howtheyweremade.Wegottocutthemoutintocirclesandeatthescrapsbecause
theywerenotyetchangedintothebodyofChrist.WealsohostedourownLastSupper
inourclassroom.Wemadeplacemats,andtheteacheractedasJesus.Shepassed
outpiecesofbreadandgrapejuice.Itwasveryneattogetaglimpseofwhatitwas
actuallylike.
Wealsomadeourownchalices.Theywerepreordered,butwegottopaint
themhoweverwewantedto.Ilovedallthecoolpaintingsthereweretochoosefrom.
ThereweregrapestosymbolizedthebloodofJesus,andwordslikepeace,love,and
Jesus.Someoftheeighthgraderscamedownandhelpedus,whichwasreally
specialtoallofussecondgraders.
OnthedayofourFirstCommunion,Igotalldressedupandhadmyhairdone.I
hadmyfirstcommunionwithSamanthaDelanyandAmandaReaatSacredHeart
Fillmorechurch.Iwasverynervouswalkinguptheaisle.Whenitwastimetoreceive
thebodyandblood,Iwassoexcitedbecausenowallthosemonthsofpreparinghad
payedoff.Aftermass,wetookpicturesandthenwentbacktomyhousefortheparty.I

hadthepartywithmycousin,Gage.ItwasveryfuntoseeallthepeoplethatIhadnt
seeninawhile.Myteacher,Mrs.Trumm,stoppedbytotakeafewpictureswithme.I
lovedthatdaybecauseitisaveryimportantdayinmylife.

ThirdGrade
Mythirdgradeyearwasayearoftryingnewthings.Duringthesummermy
familyandIdecideditwastimetogosomewhereelsebesidestheWisconsinDells.
WeagreedongoingtoSt.Louis,Missouri.HaileyHannanandherfamilyweregoing
therethatyeartoo,sowethoughtitwouldbefuntogotogether.Eventhoughwewere
planningontwodifferentweeks,wedecidedonthelastweekofJuly.Wewerethere
forfivedays,anditwasablast!Therewastwomainreasonsweweregoing:toseethe
famousArchandtoseetheSt.LouisCardinalsplaytheLosAngelesDodgers.The
Archwasoneofthecoolestthingsintheworld!Myfavoritepartwastheviewlooking
outatthetop.Itwasfascinatingtoseehowfaryoucanseefromthetop.Wealso
wenttoSixFlags,anamusementpark.Itwassomuchfun,andweweresowornout
bytheendofthedaysincewewentonsomanyrides.Webothwantedadaywithjust
ourfamily,butwedidntknowwhattodo.Wejustdrovearounduntilwesawthis
marvelous,historicBasilica.Wewentin,andtherewasatourgoingonsowejoined
thembecausetheyhadjuststarted.Thetourwasonlyaboutahalfanhour,butwe
lookedaroundmoreourselvesbecauseitwassoextravagant.Althoughitwasagreat
time,weallwerereadytogetbacktoCascadeandseeourfriends(Icouldntwaitto
seeKate.WeweresoexcitedtoseeeachotherthedayafterIgotback.)
InAugust,mygreatgrandmaStoffelturned90yearsold!Thepartywassucha
coolthingbecauseIgottoseeallmydistantcousinswhoIdontseeveryoften.My
grandmaloveditsomuchbecauseshegottoseemostofhersonsanddaughters,

grandchildren,greatgrandchildren,andgreatgreatgrandchildren,whoshedoesntsee
veryoftenallatonce.
IwassoexcitedforthirdgradebecauseIknewfrommybrotherandsisterthatit
wassuchafunyear.MyteacherwasMr.Meloy,wehadAandBdays,whereonA
daysmyhomeroomwouldbewithMr.Meloyforthewholeday,andonBdaysmy
homeroomwouldbewithMrs.VanderLugt(wecalledherMrs.Vforshort).Iloved
bothteacherssomuch.
Mrs.Vlovedfrogssomuch.Therewasaneatreasonshelovedthem,though.
OutsideherclassroominbigletterswasF.R.O.G.,whichstoodforFullyRelyOnGod.
Atthebeginningoftheschoolyear,Iwasntsurewhatthatmeantandbeingwithanew
teacherIwasafraidtoask.Thenonedaysheexplaineditandsaidwecanalwayrely
onGodtoleadusintherightpath.Ithoughtthatwasthecoolestthingeverbecauseat
firstIthoughtwhydoyoulovefrogssomuchtoputthemalloveryourroom.Many
timesIwalkedinthere,andIthoughttofullyrelyonGod.
Inthirdgrade,wedidsomethingcalledFlatStanley.Itwasthisbookcharacter
fromanovel.Itwasalittleguycutoutofpaper,andwecoloreditbeforeweshipped
himofftothepersonofourchoiceminewastoCalifornia.Ishippedminetomy
secondcousinsandtheirparents,Allison,Louis,Louie,andOwen.Theyhadablast
withhim!Theywenttothebeach,thenthepark,andtotheGhirardelliChocolate
Factoryandgotourwholeclasschocolates.Iwassoexcitedwhentheysenthimback
withalittlebookletwithpicturesfromwhattheydid.

Wehadtodoafamilytreeforaproject.Itwasreallycoolgoingthroughallthe
oldpicturesandnotesthatwehadfrommygrandparents.Itwasdifficultfinding
everyonesnames,butitwasfuncallingpeopleandaskingthemquestionsaboutit.
Wealsohadastudentteacherinthirdgrade.HernamewasMs.Parker.She
wasreallygoodwithus.Eventhoughnoneofuswantedhertoleave,weallknewshe
wouldhavetosomeday.Whenthatdayfinallycame,wewereallverysad.Acouple
classmatesandIevencried.Shewasagreatstudentteacher.

FourthGrade
ThisyearwasayearoffriendsbecausewewenttoColoradotogether.
Hannansandmyfamilywantedtogotogetheragain,butthisyearweinvitedanyone
elsethatwantedtocome.TheotherthreefamilieswereJoshandAmyGreenand
family,BonnieWeberandkids,andKrisandCookieRauschandtheirkids.Wethought
Coloradowouldbereallyfunespeciallyseeingthemountains.WewenttothePikes
Peakmountains,andthetripupwasreallyscarywithnofenceonthesideofthesmall
road.WewenttoaRockiesgameandwhitewaterrafting.Thewhitewaterraftingwas
reallycool,butmysisterscaredme.ShesaidthatifIfallout,shewouldneverseeme
again.Igotreallyscared,soIdidntwanttosteertheraftbecauseyousatontheedge.
EventhoughIwasscared,Iwantedtodoitagainandagain.Itwasoneofthemostfun
thingsIveeverdone!Coloradowassomuchfun,andIwouldgobackanyday.
Fourthgradewasalsoafunyear.MyteacherswereMrs.LensenandMr.
Brown.Myfavoritethingwasthehowtos.MypartnerwasKate,andwedidornaments
madeoutoffelt.ItwasreallyfunbecauseKatesaunt,Paula,wasthere,andshe
helpedusatonbycuttingthemout.Cuttingwasthehardestpart,butwehadonefor
everyonetodecorateanddecorationsinabagforeveryone.KateandIweresohappy
withwhatwehaddone,lovedpresentingit,andseeingeveryoneelsestoo.
Thisyearwasalsotheyearwedidaheroreport.SinceIwantedmymoms
opiniononwhoIshoulddo(sinceIhadnotyetdiscoveredmyhero),Iaskedwhoshe
wasinspiredby.ShesaidPrincessDianaandtoldmeallabouther.Shetoldmethat
PrincessDianahelpedpeopleandvolunteeredattheRedCross.Ithoughtitwasneet

havingmymomtalkabouthertomeandtellmeeverythingthatamazedhersinceshe
neverlikedbeingfamousandricheventhoughshewasaprincess.
Thisyearwasthestarttothewalkathon.Thiswasawalkthatwasonthe
HeritageTrail,andwewalkedtenmilesthatdayforthepoor.EventhoughIdidntwant
towalktenmiles,IfeltlikethatwasafieldtripthatIwasntdoingformyowngoodbut
tohelppeoplewhodontgettheprivilegesIdoofgoingtoaCatholicschoolandmore.
ThatdayIdidntwanttocomplainbecauseIknewthatwouldruinallthefun.Itwasfun
justtalkingtomyclassmatesandgettingclosertothem.

FifthGrade
Myfifthgradeyearwasayearofjoy!Thisyearformyfamilysvacation,wewent
toMinnesota.WewenttothislittletownonthewaytoMinneapoliscalledWhalan,and
wewenttoapieshopcalledAromaPieShop.TheyhadthebestpieIhadevereaten.
Ilovedthattownsomuchbecauseeventhoughitwasreallysmall,(only65people
livedinthetown)itfeltlikehome.Icouldtelleverybodykneweachotherbecause
someofthemwouldstopandhavealittleconversation.Itwassofuntalkingtopeople
andhearingabouttheirsmalltown.ThatdaywedroveintoMinneapolis.Thenextday
wewenttotheMallofAmerica,andwewerethereliterallythewholetimeitwasopen.
Themallwassocoolbecauseitwasfourstoriestall,andinthemiddletherewasabig
holeandifyoulookedfromthetop,youcouldseethebottomfloor.Mymom,Rachel,
andIwenttothestoreswewantedtogotoandmydadandLukewenttothestores
theywantedtogotobecauseIdidntwanttogotoanysportsshopsandLukedidnt
wanttogotoanygirlystores.Eventhoughwedidntbuyanything,wehadlotsoffun.
Itwasfunjustwalkingaround,tryingthingsonweknewwewouldneverget.Wewent
intoabridalstoreanditwascoolbecauseweallgottopickoneoutwelovedandshow
ittoeachother(butwedidnttrythemon).IthoughttheAmericanGirlDollstorewas
reallycooltoobecauseitwas2or3storiestall,andtherewereworkersdoingsomeof
thedollshair.Theyhadabigareajusttodotheirhair.Wealsowenttoashoestore
andtriedonabunchofcrazyshoes.Attheendoftheday,weallwenttoarestaurant,
theLegostore,andtheMicrosoftstore.AttheMicrosoftstore,therewasanXboxthat
weallplayedonandtherewereabunchofcomputersthatwecoulduse.TheLego

storewassupercoolbecausetheyhadhugesculpturesthatwereabsolutelyamazing.
Theyhadalittlelegostationwhereyoucouldbuildyourownlegocreation.Even
thoughitwasafunfilledday,wewereallsupertired,andreadytogotoourhotel.The
nextday,wewenttoDuluth.Itwasafairlybigcitywithabout60,000people.Wewent
tothebeachandwenttoamaltshopbecauseitwasreallyhotthatday.Whenwewere
inDuluth,weprettymuchjustrelaxed,andenjoyedbeingtogetherasafamily.
Thatyearforschool,IhadMrs.Hemmerasateacher,butIhadMrs.OBrienas
asocialstudiesteacher.Mrs.Hemmerwaspregnantthatyear,andinDecember,she
hadabeautifulbabygirl,namedKeely.IlovedMrs.Hemmerasateacher.Shereally
knewhowtoteachscience,myleastfavoriteclass,fun.Wealwaysdidexperiments,
andrarelywereadoutofthebook.Oneofmyfavoriteclassesshetaughtuswasmath.
Afterrecess,therewouldbeaquestionontheboard,andwewouldhavetowritewhat
wethoughtwastheansweronapieceofpaper.Then,shewouldexplaintheanswerto
us.Ifwegotitright,wewouldputournameonaticketandputtheticketintoabucket.
Attheendoftheweek,shewoulddrawsomeonesnameout,andtheywouldgeta
powerade.Anotherfavoriteclassofminewasspelling.Eachweekwewouldhavea
spellinglist,andwewouldhavetodofouractivitiestohelpuslearnthembyFriday.
Onethingwecoulddowasmaketreats,butthespellingwordwouldhavetobe
incorporatedsomehow.Wecouldalsomakecrosswordpuzzles,awordle,andlots
more.

Mrs.OBriengotanamazinggrantandgotfiveIPadsfortheclassroom.We
wereallsohappywhenwefoundout.Wegottousethemtodoresearchforpapers
andprojects.
Thatyear,mysocialstudiesteacher,Mrs.Obrientookusouttoabunchof
farmsbecausewewerestudyingIowafarmhistory.Wewentouttoabunchoffarms,
butmygroupgottogotomyauntandunclesDaleandSharonsfarm.Itwasreallyfun
becauseDalesmom,Ritamadeuscookies,andothergoodiestoeat.
2012wasthefirstyearmydadandmyuncle,Andy,plantedandharvestedcorn
atmygrandmaandgrandpashouse.Iwentouttothefarmallthetime(andstilldo)
aroundthistimeoftheyear.IgottospendlotsoftimewithCaroline,Andysdaughter.
Ilovedridinginthetractorandspendingnightsoutthereeatingmygrandmas
awesomemealsafterbeingoutsideforalongtime.

SixthGrade
In2012,myfamilyandIwenttoChicago,andthiswasoneofmyfavorite
vacationswewenton.SomeoftheplaceswewenttoweretheLincolnZoo,wewalked
onMichiganave.andwenttosomeofthestores,NavyPier,MillenniumPark,andthe
bean.Myfavoritewasjustwalkingaroundandgoinginalltheshopsandstores,and
seeingalltheskyscrapers.TheLincolnZoowasreallycooltoobecausetherewereso
manydifferentanimals.NavyPierwasreallycooltoobecausetherewasabunchof
rides,andatnight,everythingwaslitup.MysiblingsandIgotridepassesandthere
wassomanytochoose.Ilovedtheminigolfing,butweprettymuchjustmessed
aroundthewholetime,anddidntevenkeepscore.Theferriswheelwasreallycoolat
nightbecausetherewasabunchoflightsonit.Wewatchedthefireworksthatnightat
theNavyPierbecausetheyhavethemeveryWednesday.Ithoughtthefireworkswere
soneatreflectingoffofthelake.Anotheroneofmyfavoriteswasthebean.Itwas
supercoolbecauseitwaslikeamirror,andyoucouldseeyourreflection.Eventhough
wewereonlythereforthreedays,wegotalotdone.Onthewayhome,ourvanbroke
down.Wehadtostayovernightatatruckstophotel,inthemiddleofnowhere.The
floorsweresuperdirtybecausewhenyouwalkedacrossthem,yoursockswouldbe
black.TherewasaMcdonaldswehadtoeatat,andIdontlikeMcdonaldsatall.
Becausewehadtostayovernight,wedidntgettogotoLostIsland,likewewere

supposedtothenextmorning.Iwassupermadbecausetherewasabsolutelynothing
todo.AlthoughIwasreallymadIdidntgettogotoLostIsland,Ilookbacknowand
thinkitwassomethingreallyfunnyIcanlaughatnow.
Formysixthgradeyear,myclasswasalltogetherandwehadMrs.Caseyasa
teacher.Mrs.CaseywasanawesometeacherbecauseshetaughtusalotaboutGod,
andItrulybelievethatshehelpedmestrengthenmyrelationshipwithGod.Even
thoughwegotalotofhomeworkthatyear,Mrs.Caseywasaverygoodteacher,and
shetaughtmealotthatyear.Myfavoriteclassshetaughtuswasreligion.Shealways
toldusstories,andsheletusmeditateabunch.Sinceshewassuchagoodteacher,I
madesuretogetheranicegiftforherbabythatshewasgoingtohave.Ialsogother
apresentforbeingsuchagreatteacher.ShehadababygirlattheendofMarch,and
hernamewasEllyannaRose.
ThisyearwehadD.A.R.E.withOfficerHiems.D.A.R.E.waskindoffun,but
OfficerHiemsmadeitreallyfun.Wealwayslaughedwhenhetaughtus,and
sometimeshewouldthreatenusbygettinghistaserout(hewouldbekidding,though).
WehadtowriteaD.A.R.E.reportthatyearandIlearnedalotaboutstayingsafe.
ThisyearmyclassstartedMiddleSchoolOlympics.WealsostartedM.L.T.B.
Middleschoololympicswasathingwhereeachclasswasateam,andwewouldeach
doaraceoractivityandthewinnerwouldgetpoints.Also,youcoulddressupasyour
teamcolor.Eventhoughsixthgradealwayslost,itwasstillsuperfun.Mrs.McGuires
teamalwayswon.M.L.T.B.standsforMajorLeagueTennisBall.Duringrecess,we

wouldallbeonateamandtherewouldbecaptains.Myteamwonthechampionships
thatyear,andmycaptainwasBeccaMcDermott.

SeventhGrade
Thisyearwasfulloffun,fun,andmorefun,butwasalsofilledwithmany,many
tears.Mybestfriend,Ava,hadababysitterwhichshedoesntlikeustosaythat
AbbeyMeyerwasherbabysitterbecauseshewasjusttheretodothingswithusand
sheentertainedus,andshewassofun!Wedidsomuchstuffandmysummer
basicallycontainedofgoingovertoAvashouseeveryday.Somethingswedidwere
gotoJumpnJanes,wewenttothepoolalot,wenttosomemovies,wentonbike
rides,andjustdidsomefunstuffaroundthehouse/Cascade.Abbeywasthebest.
WheneverIseeher,wealwayshavelotsoffun.IwassogladthatAvagotherasa
babysitter.ThatwasdefinatelymyfavoritesummerupuntilJuly.
July27,2013wastheyearBonnieWeberdied.Itwassuchasadtime.Itwas
aroundMayofthatyearthatBonniewasntfeelinggoodanymore.Shehadalready
faughtbreastcancer,andallwaswell.Whenshefoundoutthecancerhadcomeback,
everyonewasdevistated.Shefoundoutithadcomebackinherlungs,andquickly
spreadthroughoutherwholebody,andespeciallyintoherbrain.Itwasawful.Mydad
hadmadesuretogouptovisithereverydayafterthecancerhadcomeback.Hegot
reallyreallyclosetoher,anditwassohardforhimwhensheactuallydidpass.My
wholefamilywasactuallyprettyclosetoher.Mybrotherwasreallyclosetoherson,
Nolan,whoisthesameageasLuke.MymomwasalsogoodfriendswithBonnie,and
mysisterandIwere,Iwouldntsaygoodfriends,(becausenoneofuswereinthesame
grade)butfriendswithMacie,Maddie,andSydney.TheMondayafterwasthewake.
MyfamilylentourhousetosomeofBonniessistersandbrothers,sotheycouldstay

closetoBonnieshouse.MyfamilystayedatmygrandmaandgrandpaReckers
house.Sincemymom,dad,andLukewereinthefuneral,mysisterandIrodewithmy
grandparentstothewakeandthefuneral.Mydadwasapaulbeareralongwithallof
Bonniesbrothers,mymomwasanhonararypaulbeareralongwithlotsofBonnies
closefriends,andLukeservedatthefuneralalongwithReisRauschandNate
Bergfeld.Mygrandpa,MarvRecker,gotthehonorofbeingthedeaconatherfuneral
whichtookplaceatthebasilicainDyersVille.Healsogottosaythehomily.Going
backtothewake.Itwasveryshortandsweet.Atthebeginingtherewasashort
prayerservice,andthenIgotinlineandmyfamilyallkneltdownwhereBonniewas,
withthecasketopen.Itwasvery,verysad,andeveryonewassobbing.Wewent
throughthewholeline,andthenwechattedwithsomepeople,andmysisterandIleft
withmygrandparents.Myparentsandbrothercametotheirhouselaterthatnight.
Thefuneralwasalsoverysad.MysisterandIsatbymygrandma,andalotof
myotherfamilywasthereKatie,Megan,Michaela,Becky,Tom,Matt,Jenny,Jake,
Calli,Samantha,andsomanymore.Eventhoughitwasabsolutelydevastatingtosee
Bonniego,weallknowsheisinabetterplace,andshewasnthurtinganymore.Iwill
alwaysknowthatBonnieiswatchingovermany,manypeople.
Igotmydog,Jacey,inJulysometime.Sheisthebest!Werescuedherfroma
humainsociety.Sheisaverysneakydog,andmakesmelaughalot.Iwassoexcited
together,Icouldntwait!Ilovehersomuch!
InAugust,Tom,Becky,Megan,Michaela,andMitchellReckerallmovedto
CascadefromIowaCity.MitchellwantedtograduatefromCascadeHighSchool,and

theysaid,Whynot!.IwassoexcitedtheyweremovingtoCascadebecausethenI
couldseethemsomuchmore.Itisfuntojustgooverandhangoutforawhileandbe
abletogohomeafter,andonlyhavetodrivetwominutes!Itwasreallyfunmoving
theminbecausealotofmyfamilycameandhelped,thenweallorderedpizzaandjust
hungoutaroundthehouseforawhile!
ThisyearisalsotheyearMadisonGehlandIstartedworkingtheconcession
standatthelegion.WeworkedallthehomeCougarandRedsgames.Wegotreally
closeoverthesummer,andIwasreallyproudofmyselfbecauseitwasmyfirstjob.
Weeachgottendollarsforworkingtwogames,whichisawesomeforhowyoungIam!
Seventhgradewasthestartofjr.high.Thismeansseventhandeighthhave
mixedhomerooms.MyhomeroomteacherwasMrs.KatieMcGuire.Shetaughtmy
homeroomreligion,andmyseventhgradeclassscience,socialstudies,andmath.My
languageartsandreadingteacherwasMrs.TracyOstwinkle.Iwentovertothehigh
schoolforp.e.andhadMrs.AndreaWillenborgforcomputer,Mrs.KateArnoldfor
music,andMrs.SydneyRobertsforguidance.
Ms.JesicaMakerwasourjr.highAquinvolleyballcoach.Wewerentthatgood,
butwealwayshadfun.Ms.Makermadepracticesfunbyhittingtheballtoatarget
whichwascandy.Ifwehitthetarget,wewouldgetthecandy!Shemademealot
better,andpreppedmeforhighschoolvolleyball.
Thanksgivingthisyearwaslikenoneother.Myuncleandaunt,MattandJenny,
alwayshost.MostoftheReckersidecame,andlikemosttimesmyfamilywasthelast
orsecondlasttoleavebecauseweonlyhavetodrivetwominutesunlikemyuncleand

aunt,AndyandBetsy,whohavetodriveanhour.ThetraditionisIstayatMattand
Jennyshouse(tobewithSamanthamostly,butalsotherestoftheirfamily)foraday.
Thisyear,Ididnt,Istayedtwonights.Itwasseriouslysofun.Thedayafter
Thanksgiving,weputuptheChristmasdecorations,whichIabsolutelylovedoing.
Theirtreetakesawhiletoputupbecauseyouhavetosortthebranches,fluffthem,and
thenconnectthemtothebigpieceinthemiddle,butitlooksbetterthananyother
artificialtree.Sam,Carli,andIallputupthetree,andJennyhelpedwithalltheother
decorations.Ourfavoritepartisputtingontheornaments.Itissocoolbecausemost
oftheir(andour)ornamentsarehomemadeorhaveastorybehindthem.Itissofunto
tellallthestoriesandlaughaboutthem.Thatisdefinitelymyfavoritepart!Whenwe
gotdoneputtingallthedecorationsup,wehadsupperandwatchedamovie.Ididntgo
homethatnight.Thenextday,weplayedthewiiandjustchilled,andsamewith
Saturday.ThatwasmyfavoritetimewithSam,andImsogladIcancallhernotonly
mycousin,butasuperclosefriend.
DuringChristmasbreak,IwenttoGregandLaurieshousebecausetheywere
movingtoCrescofromDecorabecauseLauriehadtodrivetwentymilestoworkevery
day,andtheywantedachange.Ihelpedthemmove,andIhadlotsoffun.Itwasso
cooljustgettingtospendtimewiththemandgetclosetoeachofthem.Iwastherefor
threenights.MyauntKatie,herhusbandJack,theirdaughterAubree,inmydadall
cameuponSaturdaytoseetopickmeupandseeGregandLauriesbeautifulnew
house.Ihadsomuchfunbondingwiththem,andatnightjustsittingdownand
watchingmovies.Theytookmeouttoeattwice,whichtheyabsolutelydidnothaveto

do.Ialsogottohelpthemmakeahomemadepizzawhichwasdelicious.ImsogladI
wentuptohelpthemmove!
ThemusicalwasalsothisyearinthewinterbecauseMrs.Arnoldwasgoingto
haveababywhenthemusicalusuallyis,andsheisthedirectorofthemusical.This
year,themusicalwasTheRockingTaleofSnowWhite.Sincetherewerentenough
juniorhighpeoplewhowentoutforthemusical,thereweresomefifthandsixthgraders
initaswell.Ilovedthismusical.Itwasveryfuntoplaytheroleoftheyoungqueen,
whowasthemotherofSnowWhite,andTheoldpedlerwoman,whowasthequeen
dressedasanoldwomantotricksnowwhite.Ionlyhad9lines,butthatisallIwanted.
TheleadwasJosephineSmith,andsheobviouslyplayedSnowWhite!Allmyfriends
wereintheplay,sothatmadeitevenmorefun!Allofourperformanceswentwell,and
allofusweresotiredafterthreeperformances.ItwassomuchfunandImsogladI
willalwayshavethosememoriestolookbackon!
TrackstartedinlateMarch.Thisistheonlyjr.highyearthatIwentoutfortrack.
Imnotgoodatrunning,buttheysaytoalwaystrynewthingstoseewhatyoulike,and
thatishowyoumakenewfriendstoo.Thefirstweekoftrack,theyalwayssay,is
horrible.Everyonehastorunallthelongdistancethings.Wehadtorunthecaseys
run,theriverwalk,runupcemetaryhills,andalsodosomesupershallow,butsuper
longhills.Imshortdistance,sothiswassupertoughforme.Butoncewegotpassed
weekone,itwassoeasy.SinceHaileyHannanandIarebothshortdistance,we
alwaysdidourassignmenttogether,whichwasusuallyafew100s,afew75s,and
starterblocks.Themeetwerealwaysagoodtime.Wewouldrunalaptowarmup,

thenwewouldjustwalkarounduntilwehadtogoforourrace.Itwasagoodbonding
timewithourgroup.
ForAvasbirthday,wewenttoMinnesota,butwewentinMay.
ItwasAva,her
parents,MadisonGehl,HaileyHannan,andme.WerodeinJeffstruckandtherewas
fourofusintheback,butwetherewaslotsofroom,soitwasntthatbad.Wewentfor
twonights.MollywentshoppingintheMallofAmerica,whiletherestofuswentonthe
ridesthatwereinthemall.Theridesweresomuchfun!MyfavoritewastheSponge
Bob.AvaandMadisondidntwanttogoonitbecauseitwentupsidedown.Hailey,
Jeff,andIconvincedthemtogoon.Theylovedit!Ithinkwewentonliketentimes.
Mysecondfavoritewasthelogride.Itwasahugehillthatwewentdownandgot
splashed!Thatwassomuchfun,andImsogladImgoingtohavethesefriends
forever!
Thisyearmyclasswonthemiddleschoololympics!Itwassofunbecausewe
basicallymessedaroundthewholeday!

EighthGrade
Eighthgradeisfullofgo,go,go.WhatImeanbythatisthatitslikemyfamily
neverstayshome.Someoftheeventsthathappenedthesummeraftereighthgrade
andeighthgradeareLukeslastyearoffootball,RachelandIhavevolleyball,Rachel
dancesatstatedance,Ihavethemusical,IalsogotoD.C.forRighttoLife,TheBand
PerrycomestoCascadebecausewewonCelebratemydrive,RachelhasNationalsfor
danceinFlorida,theboysandgirlsmadeittostatebasketball,LukeandRachelhave
track,IgotoChicagoforclasstrip,IgraduatefromAquin,andLukegraduatesfrom
CascadeHighSchool,andIalsogottobabysitNolanDrees,DanyelleMcClendonsson
inthesummerof2015.Asyoucansee,wegetbusierandbusiereachyear.
StartingoffwithLukesfootball.Helovesandhasapassionforfootball.Iwould
notbewritingaboutthisinmyautobiographyifIdidntlovefootball,orifLukedidntlove
football.Thegroupofseniorstheyhadwereamazing.Therewerearoundelevenof
them.Theyallhadapassionforfootballaswell.MostofLukesbestfriendswereon
thefootballteam.TheymadesomanyCougarrecords,itwasunbelievable.Nate
BergfeldisthesixthbestreceiverinthehistoryofIowafootball.Ifyoudontthinkthats
amazing,Idontknowwhatis.TheteamalsogotthefirstdistrictchampioninCascade
records.Thatisjustacoupleofthemanyrecordstheybroke.Sadly,theylostthe
secondroundofplayoffstoourlongtimerival,BeckmanCatholic.Everyonewasso
sad,andIcanrememberjustgoingtothecartocry.Iwassosad,buthappyatthe
sametimebecausethissmallgroupofboysdidsomanyamazingthings.Theybroke
somanyrecords,itshardtobesadonceIthoughtaboutthosethings.

Thiswasmyfriendsandmylastyearoftrickortreating.WewentasDr.Sues
things.Avawasthingone,Haileywasthingtwo,Iwasthingthree,andMadisonwas
thingfour.Wewentfromoldesttoyoungest.Itwasreallyfunbecausewegottomake
diytutus.Wewereallsohappythatwedidntjustgotothestoreandbuythem,butwe
actuallyspenttimewitheachothermakingeverything.Itwasalsothefirsttimeweever
wenttogether.WeallhadablastbecausewestayedatHaileyHannanshousethat
night.Thatnight,wealsowenttoDarkChamberswhichisareallyscaryhaunted
houseinDubuque.Haileycriedbecausethegirlcameupandscaredherreallybadly.
IwasholdingontoMadisonsotightly,andwouldntlookbecauseIknewIwouldget
reallyscared.Afterthat,wewenttoMcDonaldsandgoticecream.Thenweallwent
backtoHaileyshouse.Thenextday,wewentminigolfing.BecauseImnotvery
good,Ibasicallyjustmessedaround.NextwewenttoDairyQueen.Igotablizzard,
andittastedsogoodbecauseitwasreallyhotoutthatday.Thosetwodayswereso
muchfunbecausewegottospenditwithmyfriends.
Onceagain,volleyballwascoachedbyMs.Maker.Volleyballwassuperfun
again,andIhadlearnedevenmorethisyear.IwouldlovetobeabletopracticeAquin
volleyballonemoretime.
ThebeginningofDecemberwasstatedance.Rachellovesdancetoo.The
membersonher20142015seasonare:freshmenMadelineLudwig,HaileyJohnson,
MadisonFoust.SophomoresRachelandSkylarDossey.JuniorCourtneySadler.
AndfinallySeniorsBaileyHoffmanandElizabethRecker.Coaches/manager
DanyelleMcClendon,AbbyJager,andJillianWeberwhoisasenior.Ilovegoingdown

tostatedance.Weweredowntherefortwodays,andlotsandlotsofpeoplefrom
Cascadewentdown.IhungoutwithAvaMorreimandErinKnipper.Theyperformed
theirhiphoproutine,andalsotheirpomroutine.Theyperformedgreat,andgotfirst
placeforboth!Theydidamazingandeveryonewascheeringthemon!
Thisyear,themusicalwasDontStopBelievin.Itwasaboutagleeclubwho
wasgoingtogetshutdown,butthentheycametogethertosingtothetwojudges,and
theyletthemhavethebuilding.IplayedtheroleofMrs.Flambeau,whowasan
annoying,oldneighbor.Itwastoofuntobondwithmyclassmates,andwehadfunat
themorningandafternoonpractices.
WashingtonD.C.wasawesome.Everyoneinmyclasswentexceptforone
person.Wewenttoprotestagainstabortion.Beforewewent,weallhadtoallhadto
participateinatleastfiveRighttoLifeeventstoshowourrespecttolife.Someofthe
eventswereprayinginfrontofPlannedParenthood,puttingupcrossesatFilmore,
listentoaspeaker,andgotoaprolifemass.Afterwewenttothespeakers,wehad
towriteareflectiononthem.OnceitgottimetogotoD.C.,Igotreallyexcitedbecause
Iknewthiswouldbealifechangingevent.WeleftonaTuesday.Beforeweleftthat
night,wewenttoaprolifemassatBeckman.Mymomcamewith,anddroveourcar
home.Themasslastedaboutfortyminutes,thenitwastimetogetonthebus!The
busdrivergotsick,sowehadtogetanewbusdriverreallyquick.Wewerestanding
outsidefortwentyminutes,butitdidntevenmatterbecausewewereallsoexcited.
Whenourbusdrivercame,allthekidswantedtheback,soitwaslikeastoreopening
onblackFriday.Mrs.McGuirekeptsayingtobackup,butnobodywould.Onceweall

gotsettledin,itwasaround5:30.Whenitgottobe8:00,westoppedatareststopwith
food.Everyoneelsebroughtasupperandateitonthebusat6:00,butmydadandI
atesubwaybeforeweleft,andatesupperwhenwestopped.Whenwegotbackonthe
bus,everyonewantedtosleepbutKennedyandme.Wesatinaseattogether.We
weretryingtofindsomewheretoputourlegsbecauseAddywaslayingdownwhereour
legsweresupposedtogo.Wewerebothscruncheduptryingtogetcomfortable.By
then,wewerereallytired,andwerelaughingateverythingwesaid.Apparentlywe
werebeingreallyloudbecausethenextmorning,everyonesaidthattheycouldhearus
thewholenight.Thenextday,wegottoD.C.atabout3:00.WestoppedatJirogima
firstandgotsomepictures.Thenweallwenttothehotelandgotreadyforthevigil
mass.Atthemasstherewereatonofshrinesallaroundthatwehadthechanceto
lookatbeforethemass.TheywereallsobeautifulandIwasamazedbyeachoneof
them.Mostofmyclasswasdownstairssothecouldsitdown,butHaileyHannan,her
dad,mydadandIstayedupstairsandwereabletogetupclosetothealtarnearaTV
camera.AlotofmyclassmatesthatwerewatchingthemassonaTVscreen
downstairs,saidtheysawusonseveraltimeswhenthecamerascannedthecrowd.I
wasveryamazedatthenumberofpeopleatthemass.
ThenextdaywehadtowakeupearlytoattenddailymassatSt.Josephs
churchlocatedseveralblocksfromourhotel.FromtherewewalkedtotheUnion
Stationtogetsomethingtoeatforbreakfast.TheMarchforLiferallywasthenextthing
ontheagendafortheday.Iwassurprisedathowmanycongressmenandsenators
spokeandthattheywereallprolife.Oneofmyclassmates,MadelineRhomberg,won

firstplaceinthejuniorhighessaycontestandwasintroducedonthestageinfrontof
themassivecrowdwhichshesaidshecouldntseetheendof.Aftertherally,we
marchedonConstitutionAvenuetotheSupremeCourt.Onthemarch,wesawJosh
andAnnaDuggerwhoareinarealityTVshowonTLC.Therewasapartwherewe
marchedandyoucouldseeallthepeople.Thatnightwewentonanighttourofallthe
monuments.AllthemonumentsweresoamazingandmyfavoriteonewastheVietnam
WallwhichwelearnedaboutinReadingclassbeforeweleftforDC.Othermonuments
wesawincludedtheJeffersonMemorial,theLincolnMemorial,theWorldWarII
Memorial,theFranklinD.RooseveltMemorial,theKoreanWarmemorial,theMartin
LutherKing,Jr.memorial.Whenweweredonewiththenighttour,weheadedtoHard
Rockforsupper.
Thenextdaywasafreeday.MostofourclasswenttotheHolocaustMuseum
whichwastoorealisticanddepressing.Theresomuchtoseeanditwasimpossibleto
seeeverythinginjustafewhours.DanielsStorywasthemostinterestingtome.Then
wewenttotheRonaldReaganCenterandboughtDCsweatshirtsandhadlunch.Next
Hailey,MadisonGehl,Ava,myselfandourparentswenttotheWhiteHouseandtook
somepictures.Itwasprettycooltoseeitinperson.Wethenwentbacktosomeofthe
monumentswesawthenightbeforesowecouldgetsomebetterpicturesandspend
moretimelookingatthem.Next,wewenttoArlingtonCemeteryandwatchedthe
ChangingoftheGuardattheTomboftheUnknownSoldier.KateManternachgotto
presentthewreathtooneoftheguardsaspartofthatceremony,whichwasquitean
honorforourgroup.WesawJohnF.KennedysgravewiththeEternalFlame.

Thenitwastimetoloadthebusesforthelongridehome.Itwasfunonthebus
though,becauseweallbondedwitheachotheralot.IamthankfulIhadthe
opportunitytogoonthistripbecauseitwaslifechangingexperienceanditwas
amazingtoseesomanypeopleprotestingagainstRoev.Wade.Ourjourneyhome
wasuneventfuluntilwereachedMaquoketa,whereourbusbrokedown.Theyhadto
callforadifferentbustocometakeustherestofthewaytoCascade.
InFebruary,theBandPerrycameandgaveCascadeHighSchool(and7thand
8thgradeAquinstudents)aprivateconcertbecausewewonCelebratemydrive.I
helpedforeighthoursinOctoberwithvoting.Imsohappywegotitbecauseeveryone
deservedit.Ithoughtitwassocoolbecausewehaditintheauditorium,butthey
completelytransformeditwithalltheirtechnologyandeffects.Theconcertwas
amazingandIwishIcouldgobackintimetothatday.
InMarch,IgottogotoFloridawithmysisterandparentstowatchtheCascade
DanceTeamperformattheNDAcompetitioninOrlando.WeleftonThursdaymorning
andgotbackonTuesday.ItwasmyfirsttimeflyingandIsatbyJuliaLudwigonthe
waytoFlorida.IthoughttheplanewassocoolandItookalotofpictures.Whenwe
arrivedinFloridaitwas80degreeswhichfeltamazing,sinceitwasfreezinginIowa
whenweleftIowa.Whenwegottoourhotel,thefirstthingIdidwasgooutsidetothe
pool.WewenttotheHardRockcafethatnightforsupperwiththeentiregroup.Itwas
warmenoughtowearsummerdressesandalightsweater.Thegirlsperformedtheir
hiphoproutineonFridaynightandplacedhighenoughtomakeittofinalswhichmeant
theywouldperformagainonSunday.SaturdayeveryonewentovertoUniversalearly

becausethegirlshadtoperformtheirPomroutineearlyafternoon.Ihungoutwithmy
dad,BaileyHoffmannsdad,ZachFagan,andQuentinReckerforseveralhoursbefore
theyperformed.WewalkedaroundtheCityWalkcheckingeverythingoutandateata
coupleofdifferentplaces.Whenitwastimeforthemtoperform,wewereallso
nervousbuttheydidawesomeandmadeittofinalswiththeirPomroutinealso.We
wentbacktothehotelandhungoutatthepoolbutwenttobedkindofearlybecause
theyhadtoperformearlyonSundaymorning.Whenwegottherethenextmorning,
everyonewasonceagainverynervousforthegirlsastheywereabouttoperformtheir
HipHoproutineforthelasttime.Theydidsoawesomeandafterafewhoursawards
wereannouncedforthatcategoryandwewereextremelyexcitedforthemtoget11th
placeout25teams.WehadahugechunkoftimetohangoutandwaitforthePom
finalswhichwasntuntil8p.m.Weallwenttothehotelandwenttothepoolandhottub
forsomerelaxation.Iendedupfallingasleepforanhouratthehottubbecauseithad
alreadybeenaverylongday.TheyperformedtheirPomroutinethebesteverand
placed3rdoutof45teams.Thatwassoexcitingandeveryonewasscreamingand
cheeringwhentheygotsuchahighplacing.Afterthateveryonewentbacktothehotel
andcelebrated.ThenextdaywewenttotheUniversalStudiosparkswithBailey
Hoffmannandherparents.Weonlywentontworollercoastersbecausethelineswere
solong.Whilewewerethere,wethreegotHennatattoos.RachelandBaileygottheirs
ontheirindexfingerandIgotaGeminionmywrist.Wewentbacktothehoteland
swamforawhilewithMadelineandJuliaLudwigandNolan.Wemetthisawesomegirl
whowasoneofthelifeguardsatthehotelpool.HernamewasJaiden,andwetalkedto

herforliketwohoursbecauseshewassocool.Thenabunchofusgirlswentback
overtotheCityWalkbecausewewerecravingMenchiesfrozenyogurt.Wewentback
andsawJaidenagainandshewaswithsomeofherfriends.Wewenttoourrooms
becauseitwaslate.Weallwenttosleepbecausewehadtowakeupearlytopack.I
wassosadwewereleavingbecauseitwassofun.Weboardedourplaneat10:00.
Again,theplaneridewassocoolespeciallysinceweflewovertheGulf.Whenwegot
onthebusatChicago,JuliaandIplayed/entertainedZoeMelloy.Sheentertainedus
aswell,andImgladshewastherebecauseotherwise,thatbusridehomewouldhave
beenhorrible.Iwassosadwehadtocomehome.JuliaandIplayedwithNolan,
Danyellesson,thewholetime.Heissomuchfun!IlovedFloridasomuchandwould
gobackinaheartbeat.Itwentwaytoofast.
Thegirlsandboysmadeittostatebasketball.Wegottoseethefirstroundof
girlsbasketball,buttheydidntwin.Itisstillsocooltomakeittostateandgettoplayat
WellsFargo.Wedidntgettoseetheboysbecausewewereonourwayhomefrom
Florida.Theydidntwinthefirstroundeither,butlikeIsaid,itisstillanamazing
experience.
ForAvasbirthday,wewenttothefirsteverCascadeDanceMarathon.Rachel
wasoneoftheheadpeopleforthisevent.Itwassocoolandalsosomuchfunto
dance.TherewerefourspeakersJennyHoeger,Jacksmom.AlsotherewasMelisa
OBrien,whowasWillOBriensmom,alsoWillRollingwhoisthesameageasme.
AndlastlywasafreshmangirlfromWesternDubuque.Ithoughtitwasagreatturnout
forthefirsttime.CascadealsoworkedtogetherwithW.D.andBeckman.

Alsothatsameday,myaunt/godmotherhadanotherbabygirl.Shenamedher
EmeryMable.Sheisbeautifulandweareallexcitedtoseeifsheturnsoutliketherest
ofuscrazyReckers!
Forthepasttwoyears,RachelandIhavebabysatRyanandMollyKnuths
children.Atthistime,theyhavethreebeautiful,young,healthy,andfunnychildren.
TheiroldestisAiden.HejustturnedfourinFebruary.Aideniswonderful!Healways
putsasmileonmyface!WheneverItuckhiminatnight,Ireadhimabookortellhima
story.SometimesIjustsitthereandtalkwithhim,andIlovetomakelaugh.Wehave
becomesoclose.TheirsecondchildisCharolette.ShejustturnedtwoinMarch.She
aswellalwaysputsasmileonmyface.Sheisherveryownindependentself.She
alwaysmakesmelaugh.IlovetoplaytoyswithherorlistentohersingLetitGo,
whichisasongoffofthemovieFrozen.Wetoohavebecomesoclose.Theirthird
childisCorinne.ShewasjustborninAugustof2014.Sheisnowstandinguponher
own,andmovingfasterthanacheetah!IlovetowatchAidenmakeherlaugh,Iloveto
holdherinmyarmsandrockhertosleep,andIlovetowatchhergrowtobethe
beautifullittlegirlshehasalreadybecome.Thesethreechildrenarethebestkidsever.
IdontknowwhatIwoulddowithoutthem.IgetsoexcitedeverytimeMollyasks
RachelandItobabysit.Ilovethesethreechildrenmorethanwordscandescribe.I
havealsobecomeclosetoMollyandRyan,andIconsiderthemasanothersetof
aunt/uncle.Imsoexcitedtoseethemallgrowtobebeautifulchildren.Iknowtheywill
doamazingthingsandImsoluckythatwegettobabysitthem.

Eighthgradehasalreadybeenanamazingyear,andImsoexcitedtoseewhat
thefutureholds.