CU Girls Basketball

 We had a blast, the kids enjoyed seeing how the "pros" play ball and the tickets were free...but the concessions were pricey!  LOL

Play Date with Reagan (and meeting another Reagan!)

 Girls really do just wanna have fun!

Farewell to our Furry Friend - Droste

 Droste was such a good family dog.  His awesome, adventurous life ended pretty abruptly when the kids were born.  He was the BEST hiking, snowshoeing and mountain companion. Nothing made him happier that seeing the leash brought out, or getting "invited" to jump in the car to go - anywhere.  I hate to admit it, but when the kids were born, he suddenly took a back seat on our priority list.   There was less room for him in the car, we hiked less often and certainly shorter distances.  Now that the kids are 7 and 8 years old we're ramping up our outdoor adventures, but the last 6 months Droste hasn't been up for a walk around the block, let alone a hike in the woods.  

Suddenly, last night Droste wouldn't lay down.  He followed me around the house before bed (and even climbed upstairs when we took the kids up to bed).  He was acting really strange, staring at the walls.  When we woke up this morning, we found him behind the Christmas tree staring at the wall.  He was happy to go outside but wouldn't come back in.  As the sun began to rise, I found him lying in the mulch, carried him back inside, laid him on a blanket and took the kids to school.  I called Grammy & Opa (who immediately drove over to say goodbye and support me).  Their "2nd opinion" confirmed our suspicions.  There was little chance Droste would ever walk again.  I called the vet, they made a special appointment for us at 3:30 so the kids and Mike could go with me to put him down.  Ten minutes after I hung up the phone, Droste passed peacefully all by himself.  What a good boy!  Even at the end, he made this difficult time a little easier for all of us.  Lillian made a clay imprint of his paw as a momento and both kids pet him goodbye.  I was really proud of how they both handled saying goodbye...

Joseph & Mom

 While Lillian and Emma were having their Christmas present play date, Joseph and I had a little fun of our own!

Ice Skating & Lunch Out

 Emma and CL treated Lillian to ice skating in Belmar and lunch afterwards, as a Christmas present. 

Reading over Winter Break

 It turns out, if you walk 4 kids to the library over Winter Break it is possible to get them all to pick out a book that interests them!

Winter Break Fun at Sky Zone

 

After working up a sweat at Sky Zone all afternoon, we met up with Grammy & Opa at Blake Street Tavern to watch the IU game.  I was so excited to be back at Blake Street Tavern, a sports bar Casey and I frequented often before kids.  The Tavern had a room reserved for the IU game and it was PACKED.  I guess my sports bar visiting days are over for a while, because Joseph hated the noise!  Needless to say, we left early and missed IU loosing by one point - sorry we weren't there to commiserate with you Dad!