Hot tub.

Sometimes I have my best ideas while in the hot tub…and sometimes I have no ideas in the hot tub. They are both equally good.

“godZELLA!”

“GodZELLA” arrived this week :) Always a fun and proud moment watching your kids overcome obstacles as they learn about life. (this has little to do with basketball by the way)

1000 Points.

My current favorite College Basketball Player just hit 1,000 points this week! I like to say I taught her everything I know…but…that would be me just trying to be funny. She simply just works hard and has fun…and boom, 1,000 points. Congrats Sage! Keep it going!

The year of the Rabbit.

Chinese New Year 2023. The year of the Rabbit! The sign of the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity…from what I hear. Go get 'em this year!

Go Pack!

#12 should totally do that air guitar thing again this week! Go Packers!

Pele.

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." -Pele

Snow Day #2.

Looks like sketching out snow peeps does in fact make it snow.

Snow Peeps.

Maybe if I keep sketching out snow peeps all week we might get more snow for Christmas…

Snow Day 2022

Snow Day…watched Spider-Man with a few daughters and then made a couple of snow peeps outside. Never thought the two things went so well together. Didn’t see that coming.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another year of dropping the blaster for a turkey leg. I hope you had peace on your Thanksgiving Day!

Bring on year 10.

Bring on year 10! I know you are always looking down on us, miss ya Dad dad daddio (Aka Bibleman)!

Happy 16 to my Zella.

Unreal. :)

Homecoming.

If your going to a Homecoming Dance you better wear your dancing shoes! That is exactly what my daughter did....so, of course....I sketched it :)

Fall.

FALL. I love it. Things turn, turn colors, turn new! It has been a great beginning to the new school year. My four beautiful daughters are now taking on something new…a freshman year in college, sophomore year in high school, seventh grade and seventh grade. My lovely and amazing wife is taking on teaching high school kiddos and I…well…I am taking on my 20th year of teaching Art at Westside Elementary School (and coaching soccer at the High School). I have learned to have FUN, everyday no matter what kids these days bring. I teach and coach no matter what and who. Bring it, and have FUN bringing it. Never forget the FUN. How do you know when there is FUN…easy…look for the smiles! Have a great week looking for the FUN!

Our pet raccoon.

Sometimes I think our family dog looks more like a raccoon fresh from the woods than a dog…she turns heads sometimes. Also…as we went to our first soccer tournament of the new season we may or may not have snuck our family dog (raccoon) into the hotel for the night…I can’t remember. I will leave that there…anyway, the soccer this weekend was awesome like always:) One more thing by the way...if you want to see photos of the racoon dog go to my instagram. It is where my sketches and thoughts are a tad more frequent. Or not...it is all good :) https://www.instagram.com/matthewsketchesstuff/

#11.

I guess that signing day was for real back in April! Paisly is once again wearing #11, but this time for York University. She went from a Cardinal to something a tad more fierce…a Panther! We had a great time seeing her at college this past week. We got to move her in and watch her first game. We even snuck in to watch a training, we just had to hide behind a tree and a fence to do it:). Proud and excited for her journey forward wherever it may take her. Go be fierce PaiZ!

Bill Russell.

Going the extra mile is how Bill Russell had his hand in winning 11 NBA Championships. 10 fingers and 11 rings. Tough to beat. Do more…not less. Also, Bill was a team player, others came first and that naturally created success. Again, 11 championships...unreal.

My Birthday.

Happy Birthday...to me...I acted like a monkey and jumped on trampolines and swung from everything possible over at "Urban Air". I figured if you are getting older, well...you might as well act younger. Stay youthful my friends.

The Lodge at WCYC.

Just got back from Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp. Sketched the Lodge this fine morning :) It is the building that is considered the center of the camp.

Happy Birthday Bibleman.

Happy Birthday Bibleman! AKA. Dad. Coffee in the Heavens…lucky! I will think of you as I go off to one of your favorite places on Earth...WCYC...Wisconsin Christion Youth Camp.

Backyard thought.

I have been enjoying my coffee every morning outside in my backyard. I see and hear tons of different birds. My favorite is the Goldfinch. I see deer and rabbits and other critters as well...but they don't sing to me. Probably because they don't have a song in mind.

Hawaii.

I sketched this little ditty while on an airplane to Hawaii! It was an awesome trip...especially when you get to go with 5 beautiful ladies :)

22 Years!

22 years of marriage today! Crazy what has happened in 22 years..don’t get me started. Here’s to 22+ more...now that might be crazy!!! Bring it.

Vincepad.

Vince. Alright, so it took me a tad longer to get over this past soccer season than usual. But why wouldn’t it. I got to coach my oldest daughter on the Varsity Team for the last time. I got to coach my Seniors on the team for the last time…all 14 of them. I will miss all the players I don’t get to coach next season due to a new High School opening. I got to coach our program for the last time as one school one town, we call it…”One last time for the last time”. We also call it…”More than a game”. And that is what it is and was. But this little sketch is about another last…coaching with Vince. He is now retired from coaching soccer. I got to be part of his last season, and coaching career. For the last 19 years Vince has been my “Rival” as we coached against each other, to my “Goal Keeper’s Coach”. Then my “Assistant Coach”, to my “Best Friend”, and eventually to my “Mentor “ and my “Brother” (in that order). We have been through laughter, blood, sickness, tears, joy, defeat and of course…victory! Coaching with you has been nothing but joy and success. I will never forget the times we had on the soccer field, on the bus, on the back of the truck….whatever and wherever (rain, shine or blizzard). You got to end the legacy of SPHS Girls Soccer with me. You have had your hand in the first Big 8 Conference Championship in school history for us. Now, onto the next. You get to ride into the sunset (whatever that means). Me….I get to start another Legacy. So thanks Vince for everything! I am going to love using your cones next season that are labeled in sharpie “Vincepad”. See you around brother. I will meet you in that sunset sometime…but not yet :)

PaiZ.

PaiZ (Paisly). My oldest is now graduated. I am in awe of this kid! I am proud of her in every way. As I got to coach her last Varsity soccer season, I realized…she is better than me. She gets that you have to be a player for others, not yourself…and that makes a champion. I learned that later in life, she knows that already as an 18 year old. She will go off and move mountains for others, live life for others. She is a Champion, and people need a Champion! I love you more than words can say. Go make your mark girl! Love, Dad dad daddio