Bryan's Birthday

We celebrated Bryan's birthday with our first at-home Saturday in as long as we could remember. Bryan enjoyed being home - and we enjoyed having him here!

 We had dinner with both sets of parents and then opened cards and gifts.

 Mitch was in fine form...

 38 candles is a lot to light!

Wishing for a good year to come! We love him and are so grateful for his many roles in our family!

Busy Week

We had a 4-day week and it was completely full! We had 3 nights of city league basketball and one night of science fair. Then a birthday weekend!

Mitch and Grampa A designed and built a trebuchet in December for the science fair. We put the board together during the snow days and prepped Mitch to explain his experiments. He was ready!

  He got interviewed by Dr. Bedford, who was impressed with his clear and detailed explanation.

 My favorite part was when he started launching the demo taffy - and showing other kids how to do it. He let lots of people try out his "toy" and I was proud of him.

 City League basketball was a fun experience for Mitch. Bryan coached his team, with Rod's help. They had a few practices and a grand total of 4 games, 3 of which were this week. He got better and seemed to have a great time!

 They played two close games, and had two games against really tough opponents. He scored in each game, and celebrated his baskets with his friends cheerfully.

Here's the squad! Basketball may be part of our future...

Enzian Weekend

All of the snow days and blizzard weather meant lots of re-scheduled basketball games for Bryan. Sadly, he could not come up to Leavenworth with us on Friday since he had to drive to Wapato. Still, we set out for our annual snow sojourn!

The kids and I hung out with the Allstot grands, and the rest of the Enzian crew. We had our obligatory Gustav's trip, complete with onion rings, on Friday night. The basketball team won, so Bryan wasn't able to join us yet.

 Saturday we tried out the tubing hill. Here, Dad and Shan are towed up while Mitch comes down.

 The red tubes weren't very fast, but it was a pleasing enough ride for littles.

 Veteran tubers were not impressed.

 Mitch worked the line in his favor several times to ride the lone purple tube, as it was the only one with some speed!

 Then the kids enjoyed some court time.

  Troy and Parker helped round out the teams.

The kids and Grama enjoyed the outdoor hot tub. We went in the evening, too, and both kids submerged themselves in the outdoor pool!

Saturday we went to Stein for cheers with root beers! Bryan was in Clarkston. Ugh!

 As ever the pool was popular! 

More popular on Sunday, though, when Bryan was able to join us!

 Timber!

 We were so glad to see him!!!

 Sunday we went to Enchantment Park and tackled some big hills.

Mitch was dynamo - and I regretted the lack of helmet and mouth guard!

 Shannon rocketed down the hill and was launched from her sled. Her dad checked her for a concussion - and we only went halfway up from then on.

 Grampa set her up for a second run...

 and it was much more successful!

 This was a hill for tubes - we needed the cushion. As it was, the hill made us think of chiropractor bills!

 Everyone rode!

When Mitch had finally had enough, we called it.

 

Then we trudged through the snow and around Blackbird Island, in reverse. It was pretty - but a long walk home!

Another successful year. We enjoyed friends, late night games, too much food, and good visiting. Hopefully Bryan will get more relaxing next year...Happy Presidents' Weekend (at least to #s 1-44...)!

Snow-magedon 2019

We got our winter after all - all in one week!

 The snow, the wind, the missed days of school (3!) all added up to neighborhood shenanigans. They built tunnels and forts in the windblown snow.

 Everyone had to help dig us out...

...except our supervisor!

 We very much appreciated visits from Dad and his snowblower. We were happy to be on his route!

 Our fence acts as a snow fence, thankfully, and the drifts don't come up onto our house.

 When the wind calmed, it was fun to play outdoors. 

 These siblings were after each other in the snow

 Shan had some friends over, and the newest dog joined in on the rowdiness.

Huzzah for some wintery days - and now we're ready for spring!

Circle of Life

The Johnson girls went to a showing of Lion King in Spokane as a delayed celebration of Vicki's 70th.

 Our pre-func pizza was delicious, and the girls were delighted to have their own booth!

 They were pleased to be together

 and didn't hesitate to show their true colors!

We enjoyed the pageantry of the show - costumes, music and time together!