Christmas Eve Morning

We had the chance to spend Christmas with Mike, Kelly, Felix and Theo as they came back east for the first time during the holidays.  Even though Theo was a bit under the weather, we had such a great time with them.  After a few minutes of awkwardness, the kids picked up where the left off and got along so well.  They are conspirators and friends, despite the age difference, and the fact that they rarely see each other and have very little in common.  We had dinner and watched a movie together our first day in NH, and then enjoyed opening presents together on the morning of Christmas Eve.  It was a morning filled with laughter and joy, and a few tears of remembrance.

Family Christmas

The Sunday before Christmas, we gathered together with my family to eat, drink and be merry.  It was wonderful to see everyone and spend time together, talking and sharing stories.  Joe and Karen were amazing hosts, as always, and everyone had a wonderful time.  While we don't have the chance to get together very often, we do our best to make the most of the moments we have.

We also took the opportunity to embarrass my dad and celebrate his 84th birthday. 

NWC Christmas Concert

Northwest Catholic's Christmas concert was just a few days before Christmas and the as usual, the performances blew us away. It's amazing to me that such a small school has such an incredible music program.  Elizabeth performed in both Big Band and Honors Wind and did a wonderful job.

Winters Wrath 2019

Lee competed at Winter's Wrath last weekend in Somersworth, New Hampshire.  It was his first competition in more than a year and he was beyond ready.  With a few exceptions, he had a really good training cycle and his teammates felt confident about how he would do at the meet.  But of course, life always throws a few curveballs.  I've had a hectic schedule at work, Emily got injured playing basketball (which was emotionally draining for everyone) and Elizabeth's academic, athletic, musical and social schedule has been jammed packed, so we had absolutely no breathing room leading up to the day of the meet.  I dropped him a the gym before 7am the morning of, his earliest start ever and he really pulled it all together.  He squatted 620 pounds, a new personal best; benched 380 pounds, his best bench in more than 5 years; and pulled 600 pounds, tying his previous personal best from last December.  His total of 1600 pounds was a new PR and earned him Best Lifter accolades.  We are so proud of his hard work and how he mentally and physically executed his team's plan to perfection.

Lee with the girls and his Best Lifter award. 

So thankful for these guys.

Fast and Furious Christmas

Emily had her soccer besties - her 3v3 team - over for a gingerbread house making extravaganza last Sunday night and it was a huge success!  We rarely have groups of kids over because Willis usually scares people, but the dogs were kenneled because we were away for part of the weekend, so it worked out perfectly.  The girls all came over after their last indoor game of the weekend and within seconds, they were laughing, singing and talking non-stop.  Their gingerbread house making skills leave much to be desired, but their genuine friendship warms my heart.