Church on Friday

September 27, 2025 by Jaeger Amari

This past weekend, I had my first experience going to Church. But this church wasn’t on Sunday morning, and there were no pews or prayers. Instead, it was big-stage, loud-music, lights-flashing, people-screaming kind of Church. It was actually Dad’s birthday present, but it kind of turned into a full-family adventure. We traveled 200 miles to see Eric Church, live from the Fiserv Forum stage, and it was epic!

But let’s back up a little bit because the fun actually started at PinSeekers, a hybrid-golf entertainment facility, where Dad and I hit golf balls like pros, and Genesee and mom kicked some grass at the soccer simulator.

Then we perused the Nike Clearance store at the Johnson Creek Outlet mall before mom gave us a tour of her old stomping grounds: the Brookfield Square Mall. Apparently, it used to be fun to hang out there? Well, just like our mall in La Crosse, this indoor shopping center now had major “ghost town” vibes. Mom felt equal parts nostalgia and depression walking through the empty mall, wondering if places like that will survive much longer. But since she also thinks we’re heading toward an apocalypse, thanks to Trump-era chaos, I assured her that zombies will probably need somewhere to shop.

After that, we went to The Melting Pot for dinner, where we enjoyed an interactive dining experience. It was the first time Genesee and I had tried fondue, and we learned that life is a whole lot better when you can dip everything in cheese or chocolate!

Finally, it was 7:00 p.m. and time for my first-ever concert! (I mean, Dad’s birthday present.) But before settling into our seats, we walked a few laps around the stadium, while the opening act played. Unfortunately, we had to watch the clock strike 9:10 p.m. before we were dazzled by the vocal chords of Eric Church, but it was totally worth the wait. Poor Genesee was tired by then, so she missed a few songs, but Mr. Church sang nonstop until 11:40 p.m., so my sleepyhead sister still caught most of the show, including Springsteen, which she didn’t want to miss.

We had so much fun! We stood almost the whole time and sang all the lyrics at the top of our lungs. Dad said it was the best concert he’s ever been to!

We lived like rock stars that day. By the time we got back to the hotel, it was past midnight, and I didn’t fall asleep until 1:00 a.m. — probably later than most actual rockstars, maybe even Eric Church himself. But our tour ended early, because we had a 7:00 a.m. wake-up call for my sister’s soccer game.

We went from concert crowds to corner kicks in less than twelve hours. But hey… juice boxes on the sidelines is a vibe, too.

It was an amazing adventure — celebrating my favorite dad with golf balls, ghost malls, cheese pots, and country rock. And moments like that stick with you. Now, everytime I hear a Church song, I will think of that day with my family. “Funny how a melody feels like a memory.”

Love Letter to Maui

March 5, 2025 by Jaeger Amari

Dear Maui,

I miss you already. It’s only been a few days, but my hair still smells like sunscreen and my heart still feels like ocean waves. You were so warm and welcoming… you had me at Aloha. My parents warned that we might fall hard for you; they were not wrong. (And I’m not just talking about that forceful tidal wave that swept me off my feet and knocked Genesee on her face.) Still, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect because mom and dad said you’ve been burned since they first met you. I was sorry to hear that you felt devastated, and so I hope the joy I brought to your island helped you heal. But let’s go back to the beginning of our love story…

Before we arrived in your wonderland, Genesee and I convinced our parents to help us escape from school early so we could ~~ride rollercoasters~~ study calculus and ~~visit Legoland~~ explore careers in mechanical engineering, architecture, and 3-D design. Thank you, Mall of America, for your commitment to academic excellence! After that very enriching experience, we boarded our 9-hour flight, where Genesee and I scored our own row of seats and passed the time quickly without a single sibling battle. Miracles do happen.

Eventually, we arrived in Honolulu, where we had to endure a four-hour layover before finally getting to see you. It was just enough time to get acclimated to Hawaii’s 75 degree weather and grab some shredded pork nachos with a side of food poisoning. It wasn’t exactly the tropical experience I had dreamed of; we came to party, not potty. But this plot twist helped me and mom get well acquainted with your toilets, which were quite lovely.

When mom and I finally rallied, you showed our family your playful (and strict) side. Our Airbnb condo in Wailea was awesome, but your pool had way too many rules. No toys, no throwing a football, no Marco Polo. So we invented a game called “Genesee Jaeger.” It sounds just like Marco Polo and feels just like Marco Polo, but if you think you saw us playing Marco Polo, no you didn’t.

Maui – we loved everything about you, except for your prices. My parents spent $514 at your grocery store and mom said it hurt her soul. Luckily your beaches softened the sticker shock. In fact, they were all so gorgeous, we tried to visit a different beach each night to admire the sunset. We also enjoyed driving the Road to Hana, savoring shaved ice treats, meeting your wild chickens, hiking through your majestic bamboo forests, splashing in your waterfalls, and playing tag with your tidal waves.

Maui — you are so hot! Not only do I have the sunburn to prove it, but we even witnessed the haze from the volcano eruption at Kilauea’s summit, all the way over on the Big Island! You really know how to make my heart melt, and you also unlocked new levels of exhiliration… especially when you brought us face-to-face with your incredible wildlife. I was completely mesmerized watching your humpback whales perform their happy dances—leaping, twirling, and slapping their giant fins and tails against the turquoise waters. And even though our parents tried to drug us with Dramamine, my eyes were wide open and I couldn’t keep them off of you… your nature is so beautiful. It’s no wonder why whales blush when they see the ocean’s bottom!

After an epic whale-watching cruise, we set off on Alii Nui’s Turtles & Tacos snorkeling adventure. As you probably discovered by now, my sister left a little souvenir in your ocean: one of her incisor teeth! But just when we thought things couldn’t get more interesting, you surprised us with a 9-foot tiger shark encounter that cut the snorkeling tour short. Luckily, we lived to tell the tale and were brave enough for a do-over, where we submerged our faces in the waters of the Molokini islet and built a friendship with your gentle turtles instead. It was pure magic.

Oh Maui… You sure know how to make a dude’s heart race! Ziplining through your treetops had my adrenaline pumping—it was fast, fun, and just a little terrifying… kind of like falling in love with you. And as if that wasn’t enough excitement, you decided to shake things up, literally! One minute, we were eating dinner on the deck, and the next, I was experiencing my first earthquake. I was shook, but we lived to tell the tale—again. Sheesh! They say love can hurt, but why does it have to be so scary!?

Of course, as the story goes, all good things must come to an end. But Maui, I didn’t want to leave you; we just ran out of time… and money. Plus, I had to finish the fifth grade and bring back hugs to our dog who was missing us. So, on our last morning with you, I decided to stuff my sad feelings down with pancakes and fresh fruit at Kihei Caffe before taking the red-eye back to the cold Wisconsin winter.

I will never forget your final wave as we said goodbye; I hope you saw the shaka I offered, with love, in return.

Mahalo,
Your biggest crush (Jaeger)

P.S. I deeply regret that the sun had to set on our incredible love story. It was one for the ages! But don’t close the book just yet… I vow to write the sequel, when I return one day to Maui you.

Snow Much Fun: Our First Family Ski Adventure

December 31, 2024 by Jaeger Amari

This year, we did something totally unexpected during Christmas break: we went on our first-ever ski trip! Mom and Dad planned it on a whim, and before I knew it, we were on our way to Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota, (a 5-hour drive north) for four nights of snowy fun. It was so last-minute that all the pet-friendly condos were already booked, so Artemis got to experience her own adventure: The inaugural slumber party at D & C’s doggy daycare. (Thanks, Grandpa & Grandma!)

Before leaving home, Dad pulled out his old ski equipment, from when he was an avid skier, that had been buried under 25 years of dust. Emphasis on “old” because as soon as he tried everything on, the foam of the googles evaporated into fairy dust, the plastic of the boots cracked, and everything fell apart. So, upon arrival, Dad begrudgingly proclaimed, “we’ll take four rentals, please!” And as my parents looked around and noticed everyone wearing helmets, which was not the trend in the late 1900s, our bobble heads exited the rental facility with protected brains as well.

I’m so glad we decided to be spontaneous because this was the most epic trip ever! The weather was perfect and the Lake Superior backdrop made for breathtaking scenery. Genesee and I received beginner ski lessons the first morning, taught by George and Tim, and let me tell you, it was game over after that. We were hooked!

The chair lift was one of my favorite parts. It’s this awesome combination of peaceful and exciting, like floating above the world while you get ready to zoom down the slopes again. It was also neat to see how determined and fearless Genesee was to conquer any of the runs. (And how, upon completion, she’d immediately report her success to our ski instructors.) Another highlight was the super cool gondola ride… almost like being in a snow globe as it glided over the trees.

Speaking of gliding, Mom stuck to the green runs. She kept looking for the turtle hill, but it was nowhere to be found, so she became good friends with the Big Bunny hill…. mostly because her pulled hamstring and wobbly knees weren’t exactly up for the challenge of anything more. But also because her “worst-case-scenario brain” is always a spoiler of risky fun. Luckily, Dad isn’t as boring and safety-first as our mother is. So, by day 3, we ditched mom in search of steeper slopes and faster speeds.

Each day, after putting in about 5 hours of skiing, we’d head back to the Caribou Highlands Lodge to swim and soak in the hot tub. It was the best way to unwind after a full day of shredding (or cautiously zigzagging, in Mom’s case). In the evenings, we played card games, napped, ate spaghetti and chicken soft tacos (prepared by Chef Dad), and just enjoyed being together. On our last evening, Dad built a fire, mom poured sparkling grape juice into our makeshift wine glasses, and then we toasted to the new year as the ball dropped in New York City.

It was the most fun way to end the year and I’ve already decided that this should be an annual tradition. In fact, by the time the trip was over, Genesee and I declared skiing as our new favorite sport (outside of basketball, of course). It’s the next best thing to having wings, they say. So, next time you are near the mountains, look for us and watch us fly!

4th Grade Wisconsin Heritage Fair

April 24, 2024 by Jaeger Amari

In late February, I was tasked with an assignment to research a topic that relates to Wisconsin. It could be a person, place, product, or event that we would be excited to learn more about. Naturally, I thought about the Milwaukee Bucks right away, but after exploring other ideas with my family, I decided to research and highlight my Great Great Uncle Alfred Gorham: Wisconsin’s only Tuskegee Airman!

All throughout March, I had weekly deadlines to meet, which included coming up with a project title, identifying credible sources so I could learn more about my topic, building a display board, and preparing a speech. It was a lot of hard work! Luckily, my family helped me along the way… We texted with Uncle Norman and cousin Michele to gather artifacts, and then my parents organized family movie nights (complete with Papa’s favorite microwave popcorn) so we could watch documentaries and movies about the flight and plight of Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Then, on March 28th, after completing my display board and presenting my speech to fellow Mel-Min fourth graders, we hosted a fair in the elementary gymnasium that was open to the public! I got a little nervous once people started rushing the doors to ask questions about our research, but some of my first friendly customers were Grandma and Grandpa, so that put me more at ease. Plus, I had studied hard so I knew there weren’t too many questions I couldn’t answer.

All in all, it was a great day! People seemed very interested in learning about this important piece of Wisconsin history, which I feel lucky to have such a personal connection to. And on top of that, I got selected to present my project at regionals!!

So, on April 23, I traveled to Black River Falls to brag about my great great uncle to a larger audience. I was thrilled to receive such rave reviews on that bigger stage, but the best part was getting to tell Uncle Alfred’s story because the Tuskegee Airmen story went untold for too long. I hope I did him proud!