Jake and I took Shecklet #3 and Shecklet #4 to a Gopher Women’s basketball game this afternoon. The league the girls played in partnered with the Gophers to offer discounted tickets. The Gophers didn’t end up with a win, but it was still fun to be back in The Barn to watch the game. Afterwards, the girls got to go onto the court and have their picture taken with teammates who attended. We had friends capture a picture for us in our maroon and gold.
Our plans for Christmas break changed from road trip to homebound thanks to snow, sub-zero wind chills, and poor road conditions.
We had originally planned on traveling to STL on 12/23 to visit Shecklet #3’s godfather, then on to GA to visit family, and finally to FL to visit friends. On 12/21, the house was minimally decorated for Christmas, I was caught up on laundry, and we had minimal items left in the fridge.
School ended up being cancelled for Shecklet #2 on 12/22, so we we considered getting on the road a day early. However, IA looked like this:
We made the adult decision to stay safe and not risk the stress or potential car trouble while in a “towing not recommended” zone. Our cancelled plans meant we were able to play games as a family, decorate sugar cookies, and shovel lots of snow.
We were also able to attend Christmas Eve Mass at our parish.
Jake shopped for heavy appetizers earlier in the day for our after-mass Christmas Eve meal.
Christmas morning we opened gifts and relaxed for a few hours. Shecklet #1 assembled his LEGO set, we hung Shecklet #4’s new cork board, and Shecklet #3 got to work figuring out classic rock melodies on her guitar. Shecklet #2 had to wait to try his new goggles.
We headed to Jake’s parents house around 3pm for dinner and opening gifts. The Shecklets enjoyed getting to see their cousins.
Shecklet# #3 and Shecklet #4 both had end of the season bball tournaments this weekend. Saturday they played at different locations, so Jake and I had to divide and conquer. He went to #4’s games and I went to #3’s. Both girls won both of their games, so we headed back to the gym (this time at the same location) on Sunday.
Shecklet #4 played first and her team played so hard! They put up numerous more shots than their competition, but the ball just didn’t want to go in! They ended up with a third place finish!
Shecklet #3’s team came into the tournament undefeated and ended undefeated! Their final game was very physical, but they played their game (good sportsmanship and great defense) and pulled away from the other team in the second half. Shecklet #3 earned four fouls! (Mrs. King from #2’s bball days would have been proud!)
Go ahead and guess what Shecklet #2 is going as this Halloween 🎃 And yes, Jake sewed his costume.
We went back to Carver Lake for an afternoon of riding.
And then went to visit Aunt Kari. The guys dismantled a pallet and we did a little yard work for fun 😊.
We burned the pallet wood and had s’mores, too.
We gathered in Hastings to celebrate Kari’s birthday (a day early.) The weather was gorgeous, so we spent most of the evening outside. The Shecklets enjoyed seeing their little cousins ❤️
Jake took the girls and one of his sisters out west to the Orange Spectacular this evening, complete with a tractor pull. Shecklet #4 even found a chainsaw 😆 (Yes, I know my tractor emoji is John Deere-colored. I apologize to the Allis-Chalmers devotees.)
It’s the middle of summer and we are just getting out for our first ride on the single track trails. It was a beautiful morning. We went to the park with friends and got several miles in before the rain came through. Great way to start a Saturday!
“I swallowed air to show them how to make farts.” Shecklet #2 explaining to his dad and me why he was extra gassy tonight. 😳
The Mavericks had an exciting season this spring, culminating in a third place finish at the state tournament. Shecklet #1 has played family frisbee with a lot of the kids on his team, but this was the first time he had played at the high school level of intensity. His teams’ games were so fun to watch!
