End of the Year Visits

We wrapped up 2019 with visits from beloved friends!

 Warners came down for an overnight visit. The kids continue to be delightful stair steps and we so enjoy our time with their family!

 Sadly, Mitch got a bug and was down for several days. The only bright side was all the snuggling we got to sneak in!

Nina came up for a couple days, too! We played games, read, feasted and had a fun time together!

We sent the old year out with fireworks at EST midnight. Here's to 2020!

Skiing at Mission

We started the ski season with a trip up to Mission. The kids did a great job picking up where they'd left off!

 And I nearly froze to death! Thankfully, Mom saved me from hypothermia!

 Our happy crew enjoying the view and some snow.

Hoping for many more trips up the mountain this season!

Boxing Day

We opened more gifts on Boxing Day with the Allstots!

 Mitch loves the hatchet from Uncle Russ

 and Shannon is smitten with the ring from Aunt Julie!

Grampa made the kids stilts, which they received as a finale. Naturally, they had to come with lessons!

It took a little practice, but it wasn't long before they had the hang of it!

So much fun! Before we left, they were able to walk all the way into the front yard. A merry Christmas all wrapped up!

Christmas 2019

We enjoyed Christmas in Ephrata.

 Christmas Eve we went to church with Johnsons and then had folks over to our place for food and games.

 Christmas Eve is always my favorite.

 Kevin was the games director, and he organized us into pictionary teams.

 We had a great time - much laughter and moderate cheating.

It was fun to have everyone over together.

 Christmas morning broke and Cotters came over for stockings. The kids were very patient...and were happily distracted by a new fusbol table. Bryan and I had a memorable time building that beast the night before...

 When Johnsons arrived, we read the Christmas story and lit Advent candles.

 The kids had several shared gifts this year, including this telescope.

 There were many generous and fun gifts.

Shan was especially overjoyed to receive cowgirl boots!

 The rest of the day involved puzzles, movies and eating. We enjoyed Christmas together!

Christmas in Spokane

As soon as school let out, our holiday hit high gear! We went to Spokane for Avery's birthday celebration and some time with Spokane family. 

 We stayed with LaVines, but Cotters graciously hosted our Christmas festivities. Bryan donned the throwback ugly sweater, much to the delight of his sisters.

The Cotters have a nice home and we enjoyed their hospitality!

 

Fondue with the crew was the usual hit. After a couple nights together, we headed a bit further north to Green Bluff.

 There we met with the Anthonys for some gingerbread house destruction. This poor thing didn't stand tall for more than about 5 minutes after the initial demolition began. All generations got in on the action!

 These cousins had fun together, playing pool, building Legos, drawing, and building forts.

 Meanwhile we played some serious pinochle. 

It did not go well...Gram had to mediate and the girls lost. The game. We lost the game. I think the guys may not have actually "won" when you consider all factors at play...

We had a great time seeing so much family! 

Lego Robotics

For a couple months now, Mitch has been spending 2-4 afternoons a week after school working with the robotics club.

  They worked on core values, researched a problem in the community and developed a solution, and wrote code for Lego robots to accomplish missions. It was hours and hours of commitment, and Mitch seemed to enjoy it (though he did miss playing in the neighborhood after school).

 Today he and his team, Grant Goliaths, showcased their work at a competition for students in grades 4-8. Out of 24 teams, they took 14th and earned 155 points. It was an impressive debut!

 Yes, there is a crowd at a Lego competition and Shan and Grama were part of it!

Mitch and Cooper seemed to be some of the primary programmers and it was fun to watch them problem-solve with their robot in each of their 3 2:30 minutes rounds.

In the final round, they went against EMS and the conclusion, in the final seconds, was getting their robot onto the ramp successfully. It brought roars from the crowd and happy high fives all around!

Successful, happy, and smart kiddos - a day well-spent!

The Fabulous Fox

In an attempt to begin the Christmas season, we went to a Sunday matinee of The Nutcracker as a family. 

There was much silliness at lunch and, immediately following this photo, the soda was spilled. Ah, cousins.

 We had never been the the Fox Theater before (yes, Shan wore a fox shirt) and found it charming.

Our seats on the loge were fantastic - we could see right into the orchestra pit and nothing obstructed our view of the show. It was a lovely show and helped put us in more festive spirits!