Emily's Band Concert

Emily did a great job at her band concert, as always.

"Chorale and Shaker Dance"

Great job, Emily!

Visit with Joe, Brandie, and Delilah

We had a nice visit with my brother, Joe, and his family this weekend.  On Saturday, we went to the park and then to lunch at Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles.  It took a long time, but the food was very good. 

Today, we went to Betsy's for a great dinner and had a nice visit.

Joe, Brandie, and Delilah

The whole gang

Jonathan's Color Run

Jonathan had such a great time at his Color Run today!  He has really been looking forward to it.  He had $150 in pledges altogether, which was wonderful! 

Before

During

After

Great job, Jonathan!

Emily's New Job at Subway

Emily started her new job at Subway today!  She has already started making sandwiches.  She doesn't have her uniform yet, but doesn't she look cute in her hat?

Great job, Emily!!

Band Bash

I believe this is our fifth year going to the Band Bash.  The 6th grade elementary, 8th grade middle school, and high school Symphonic band all participate.  This year, Emily and Andrew were both in it.  They did a wonderful job!  Andrew even had a solo part.  It's short and quiet, but listen for his baritone solo at 2:37.

Andrew's Middle School 8th Grade Symphonic Band

Algorhythms

Emily's High School Symphonic band

Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst

All three combined bands

Shorewood Overture

Great job, kids!!

Great Wolf Lodge

This year we gave the kids an experience gift again, but it's one we could all do together--an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge.  When they opened it, they thought we were going to California.  I hadn't told them that there is a Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale now.  They were pretty excited, especially Jonathan!

The lobby was amazing!

The boys were excited about having their own little "cove" to sleep in.  They even had their own TV in there.

Michael looks pretty cute in those Wolf ears, haha.

Here are more pictures of the room.  It was a suite with plenty of beds and two bathrooms.

The water park was amazing!  I had fun going on one of the slides with the kids.  All five of us fit in a raft and it was awesome!  Michael went on a lot of rides with them as well.

They loved the wave pool!

Daniel had fun chilling with me

Andrew really wanted to play mini golf.  It was very small, but still fun.

At the end of the day, the boys were done and wanted to go home but Emily wanted to go shopping.  Luckily, we had two cars so they went home and Emily and I had fun walking around Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and then going to dinner.

The kids are not excited to go back to school on Monday, but we've definitely had a wonderful Christmas break!

Christmas 2019

We had a wonderful Christmas!  I have more blessings than I can count and I am so grateful!

On Sunday evening, we went to my sister Betsy's house.  She made us a very nice ham dinner and we opened presents.

On Tuesday evening for Christmas Eve, we went to dinner with Carol and Erin and had Mexican food.

On Wednesday, Christmas Day, we were up by 7am to open presents.

Then we had our traditional aebleskivers (small pancake balls, a Danish treat) for breakfast.
We also had fun talking to Nathaniel.  Andrew set it up so we could talk with him on the big screen.

Michael grilled steaks for dinner and I made the sides.  Carol and Erin had dinner with us.  The kids like to call it "linner," because it was at 3pm so it was really between lunch and dinner, haha.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  I am so grateful for this season where we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!