My cousin and three of his boys stayed with us last night on their way to Green Bay for the Packers/Seahawks football game today. The fact that our kids haven’t seen each other in years didn’t phase them – they had fun playing video games and having nerf battles. Hope we can connect with them again, soon.
We started the day by attending Christmas Day mass. One of our friends was able to capture a great photo of us (she’s our go-to Easter picture taker, too.)
After we returned home (and changed into comfy clothes) we opened gifts. The kids each opened their “read” gift first, then their “need” gift.
Followed by their “want” gift.
There were a few extra special gifts from Great Aunt Deb & Uncle Steve as well as Shecklet #1’s tutor, and Shecklet #2 & #4’s godparents. Then the kids opened their “shared” gifts – things to do together or share with each other.
Lego set building lasted throughout the day.
Shecklet #4 worked on one of her craft projects from Grandma & Grandpa.
Christmas “dinner” wasn’t anything fancy. We decided to keep it simple and just to heavy appetizers. The kids didn’t seem to mind. After dinner, we opened the Shecklets’ new game, Dixit, and played and laughed together. We ended the evening by finishing the newer animated version of the Grinch. It was a perfectly peaceful Christmas Day!
Basketball is in full swing in our house. And the games must go on (even when it’s mom’s birthday!)
Jake is took Shecklet #2 to Duluth for a tournament and we called in reinforcements (my amazing in-laws) to help shuttle the girls. My friend, Michelle came with me and my FIL to Shecklet #4’s game while my MIL and Shecklet #1 went to #3’s game. Then afterwards, my MIL gave me the amazing gift of time to spend with Michelle going out to lunch – while she and my FIL hung out with the kids. It was the best birthday gift a mom could receive during this stage of life!
Shecklet #2 had a cheering section of family while in Duluth – Jake’s cousin and her family for one game and my aunt and uncle for another. It was so nice of them to take time to support Shecklet #2!
BTW- since Jake & #2 had to leave Saturday morning, we celebrated my birthday on Friday night. Chinese take-out and cake.
This year for Halloween we have a ninja, a dog, Darth Vader, and an ostrich rider. (Though the ostrich rider may or may not be using her costume this year due to it feeling “too big.” We’ll see what she decides to do come time to go trick-or-treating.)
For good measure, I tried on Shecklet #4’s costume. 😂 If she doesn’t use it, I might just have to wear it to hand out candy.
Back before kids, the cousins on my maternal side of the family had a string of weddings. I think we had four or five consecutive years where there was a wedding. (And there are only seven of us.) At the wedding of my cousin Troy, my aunt Alice loaned me a necklace that was my Great Aunt Frances’s. The next day I returned it to my aunt and mentioned how much I loved the piece.
She later gave it to me to keep and I now wear it often.
I’m not much for selfies (unless I am capturing one with my kids) but I sent this to my aunt today to let her know I think of her and Frances every time I wear it 💗
Nothing says fall like a bushel of apples from the orchard. Special thanks to my mother-in-law for bringing them to us!
I spent the morning slicing and dicing enough apples to fill my two largest pots to make applesauce. The house smells fantastic!
Any wagers on how long it will take before my efforts are completely consumed? I give it a few days.
The weather for this year’s fun run was absolutely perfect! Shecklet #2 and a classmate finished the run in first place 🏆 At the end, we threw a rainbow of powder into the air for a colorful finish. 🌈
Jake and I don’t get to capture many photos of just the two of us. We needed a recent one for our Family Formation kick-off event (so our new class knows who we are.) Shecklet #4 offered to take one of us this afternoon ❤️
I took three of the Shecklets things Nissedalen today while Jake stayed home and worked on the truck with the help of Shecklet #2. Between spotting tubing kids and listening to giggles as they swung in hammocks, I did get to do a little reading – not much, but a little. This place is so relaxing. I’m grateful we got to spend so many Saturdays up here during our brief summer break from school and schedules.
Time for a little art project as summer winds down. The Shecklets and I each picked out a pottery piece to paint. Shecklet #2 spent nearly 2 hours taping lines in his llama before he could even start painting! We are all looking forward to seeing the finished products – after being fired and glazed with a clear coat.
