Basketball Season

 Both kids are in the middle of basketball season.
It's been fun watching them play.
We are accustomed to lots and lots of soccer so it's nice to 
break it up with another sport.
And, both kids have oodles of friends on their teams
which is a bonus. 

Carmen and team Shooting Diamonds

Serious faces

Silly faces

Um, these next two crack me up.

We all know Carmen is on the 'petite' side.

Her team has played a lot of 6th graders.

This particular team happens to have some very tall

6th graders....Carmen doesn't even come up to

 most of their shoulders. She stuck in there 

(along with the rest of her team which are mostly 'petite' too).

Max and team Purple People Eaters

These boys are fun to watch.

Lots of intensity.

Serious faces

Silly faces

Who can forget Blitzen?!

He wants to practice too!

Checked off

 I've had some items on my 'to do' list for years.
Kind of embarrassing that sometimes things take so long.
Well, today I checked one thing off.
Carmen hasn't done Girl Scouts for 2 years.
All of her unsewn patches have been sitting in a baggie all that time.
Today was the day.
14 patches attached to her vest.
Now, her vest can be tucked away in her memory box.
I however feel good about having checked it off the list.
Better late than never...

Cake!

 Carmen has been experimenting in the kitchen.
She likes to bake.
While her projects are usually ambitious, 

today she chose a more doable recipe.
It still was a two-tiered, homemade chocolate cake with

 peppermint butter cream and homemade fondant, 

but it was something she could execute

(with a little bit of help).
She did a great job.
She's improving and getting more and more comfortable.
Maybe next time she'll move away from treats and learn how to make dinner!

Soccer Swing

 Max and his teammates are starting off 2022 in the soccer swing.
Tournament #1 right out of the gate.
The boys played 5 games, won 4 and 

unfortunately fell short in the final match to take 2nd place.

But, a spot on the winners stage nonetheless.
Proud of these lads (as their coach calls them).
Another chance next weekend at tournament #2.
Go Celtic!

Determined

 We made it back in town.
A few minor delays but lucky we were able to get home when we did.

Both kids were ecstatic school was cancelled on Monday and I 
was excited too, since we didn't arrive home until midnight on Sunday night.
A sleep in day is just what we needed to get back into routine.

This guy was so bummed he missed the snow.
Especially since the kids got new snow boots and sleds for Christmas.
Max was determined to make the best of it despite the slush. 

He played in the 'snow' and  fashioned himself a

 mini snowman with the little bit he could find.

A+ for effort.

Ringing in 2022

 We had a great time saying good-bye 

to 2021 and welcoming 2022.

Some intense games of Bingo and 

Left-Center-Right to get the evening started.

Max came up the big winner, again...

Cheers!

Annual tradition of washing in money to a

healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

Remember that scavenger hunt on Christmas day?

The one about some kind of trip?

Well, scavenger hunt #2 revealed the surprise.

Disneyland, here we come!

Happy 2022!

Arizona Bound

 We departed for Arizona bright and early. A 6:00 AM flight.
We feel so very lucky we made it out before the Seattle snow.
We were delayed only for a little bit before reaching blue Arizona skies.
I know there were lots of folks who were not so lucky.

A visit to AZ and visiting Grandma is always one of our favorite things,

but this visit was extra special since we got to see and spend time 

with Tasha, Dan and Zane. So many fun times and memories 

made during our short time together.

Grandma always knows how to spoil each and 

every one of us. Christmas fun and treats continue!

Hmmm...not sure they got this right.

Maybe this is closer?

Or, perhaps not...?

More gifts and goodies. Oh my!

Fun with Soduko.

Family dinners,

cherished time.

Golf cart rides a plenty.

Learning a new game.

Bowling was the hot activity of the trip.

The weather wasn't stellar so more indoor activities than out. 

But, we didn't have any snow or ice so we weren't complaining.

A Christmas light display like no other.

Cousin time!

The Stephenson girls.

Grandma and her grands with her famous

 movie nights and ice cream sundaes.

So blessed to be a part of this family.