Christmas brunch anyone?

The kids worked hard at school preparing for finals (Matt did too!). I was swamped at work preparing for a couple of weeks off - but we made it! All in time to have Matt's family over for brunch on Saturday before we went to Concordia to hear Grandma Val and Aunt Lynnie sing in the community choir. Such fun - and I ran into so many former teachers and friend's parents (who still call me Jo Jo lol)! That is what the season is about - being aware and thankful for the love, peace, joy, and hope - with our loved ones - as well as strangers. While heading into Wal-Mart on Thursday, a woman was getting handcuffed for shoplifting....her cart indicated that she had small children. Don't get me wrong, stealing is wrong but I had a pang of empathy - what drove her to steal? what will this mean for her children? could a small act of kindness in her life at some point made a difference? I don't know the answers to these questions, but I do believe that there is good in each of us. I pray that I don't miss the opportunity to be kind, generous, and loving that He puts before me. 

Shenanigans at the Defender basketball party on Monday night. 

6th grade band concert - Nola is back row, far right, up front. Very shadowy! They played great! Big thanks to Grandma Val for making the trip!

These girls - just growing up too fast. They haven't known life without each other (born 5 weeks apart and together at church ever since). I hope their friendship stays strong as we enter the teenage years!

We changed phone plans and activated a fourth phone for Nola when she is at home. Check out her contact list....sigh. He is that sometimes but perhaps we shouldn't call it out so blatantly!? 

Nola's school posted picture all week of school dress up day. Friday was flannel!

Santa came Friday while I was taking Baylee on a walk. Perfect timing for us to do stockings too :) 

Smile nice and we can be done with pictures ;)

Brenner got a nice tool box (given he is purchasing an older truck from Grandma for when he turns 16).

Nola got Nike joggers, shorts, and shirt. 

Saturday brunch with the Vogans/Greskos was a lot of fun. I wish I had remembered to snap a picture of the table and food. I used my nice China and made some faaancy food. It was yummy! The conversation was even better!

Matt, Nola, and Grammy.

Nola, Aunt Theresa, and Uncle Chuck

Matt, Brenner, and Jo

Brenner was very happy to get this Bryce Young jersey from Uncle Chuck and Aunt Theresa.

Nola loved the clothes and the watercolor pens!

It was time for me to do a little baking for friends - this year I made my bonbons and tried these peppermint checkerboards. They weren't perfect but I would make them again as they are festive and tasty!

Santa bottles with small gift cards for mail lady and trash guys. It is a great time to remember those who have to work out in the elements all year round! 

Sunday was the last Defender game at the YMCA. We knew we were going to get stomped (playing a non-rec team which included some of their former Charger teammates). But the girls had a great attitude warming up......

....more shenanigans! 

Post-game team pic. They struggled as expected as we still have varying skill levels. Nola did awesome with 4 points of their 15 points (2 free throws and 2-pointer from the paint). Nola had some steals - great defensive work all game - and they kept smiling through it all. Proud of these girls! 

A blast from Nola's basketball past! The lower right picture is only from one year ago! Keep going, girl - you are awesome!

Washington DC

I got to "escape" to Washington DC for a work trip - it had been almost 3 years but things looked much the same! Matt held down the fort with Brenner battling some sickness. We hope he kept it to himself!

Last weekend, Brenner and Matt stopped past Matt's shop to look at the robots having a light saber battle - cool programming, babe!

Then it was off to Brenner's trap shoot. It was freezing cold....he didn't do too well!

Monday flight into DC. I took pictures for my mentee since I would miss our meeting on Tuesday.

Tuesday night dinner with work friends (current and retired) at The Hamilton. Great fun but so loud - I must be getting old! 

National Christmas Tree. I missed being able to walk around so much! (Although Baylee missed our daily walks at home)

The White House

Group picture on our way back from dinner.

We did work too!

Came across a Pearl Harbor ceremony on Wednesday at the WWII Memorial.

I met up with Chris, a former Columbia colleague, Thursday night. We went to a Christmas market near Penn Square.

The booths were fun to take in - I especially loved this spice tent!

I was a joyful night!

Chris wanted to try this Ethiopian restaurant - I was game! Honestly, wouldn't have gone by myself as it was a bit off the beaten path but with a walking buddy it was no big deal.

My meal....beef with jalapenos, onions, and tomatoes, and "Ethiopian spices" - not sure what that entails but it was delicious....although I didn't care for the spongy bread called Injera (made with teff). It had a sour taste but interesting to try. I definitely needed the 3 mile walk back to the hotel! 

Oh the previous night I picked up some Guatemalan food - this is shuco which is a common street food. It was yummy! That concludes my pictures - I flew home Friday to start a busy weekend!

Nola and I helped at the Angel Tree lunch at church. The kids helped our guests make candy houses. These girls tackled one together....

....and defied gravity! 

I made gingerbread cookies for the stockings to be given to our shutins. 

We had a big team to assemble!

Nola had two basketball games on Sunday. They should have won both but the whole team of off. Nola had this beautiful free throw - nice job, girl!

Note the ref....he is TERRIBLE. But better than the other one - actually told one of our mom's to shut up. Crazy times. 

The girls post game - you win some, you lose some. Nola went home and proceeded to develop a fever....I knew there was a reason for her performance being off - so much sickness - some of the other girls got sick too.

Brenner had futsal so I went to pick him up after the basketball games. I had to chuckle as one of the mom's noted that Brenner hadn't been tainted by high school soccer - his view of the pitch was amazing and was outplaying the seniors. Boys from Marshall came over to scrimmage. They won state so some real talent to play with - fun times!

 

 

 December snuck right in on us - not sure how we are at the end of 2022 already! I enjoyed a few days off (my work use/lose) while the kids and Matt were at school. They are inching towards finals - Nola continues in basketball and Brenner started futsal practice. Full steam ahead!

Doesn't everyone clean rugs on their days off? 

Beautiful sunrise on Tuesday. 

Couch shenanigans with my favorite girl!

Nola's Christmas list.....I particularly love "world peace" - amen sister! 

Family game night! (Not willingly - I was tired of everyone disappearing with their devices! We had fun with Otrio and Uno. 

Pictures of the seaworthy award recipients and their pizza lunch. I really think Nola looks like me in the second picture! 

Christmas parade on Sunday - we helped with our church float. It was crisp! The boys stayed home as Brenner had a trap meet and they froze their behinds. 

One of my off days was spent getting my hair done - long over due - looks great thanks to Kendra!

The boys were throwing the football but I asked them to stop to grab a picture - they are both so handsome!

Post-game pizza with Grandma Val and mom. It was a ROUGH game - the reffing was terrible but our Lady Defenders held on to win 18-14. Nola played great - only sinking one free throw - but some great defensive moves. Go #2-4!