Birthday

 My birthday this year was very low key.  It was a Saturday, and there were a few things I wanted to do.  I wanted to go for a run (the weather was beautiful), I wanted to go shopping and take time to browse, and I wanted to enjoy my birthday cake.  I got to do all those things and added in some pokemon go time with Timothy and Troy.  

Since Teresa was in Chicago, I held off on my birthday dinner out until she returned home.  She loves Roses and Berries and wanted to be a part of that.  So on my birthday we had Casey's pizza which is also a favorite.

It may have been a quiet birthday, but I was happy and I think that is what counts!

Teresa just finished up with the spring musical--Tarzan.  She was young tarzan as well as a featured dancer/singer.  She did an amazing job as usual.  She had a solo this year too.  There are some long days at school leading up to the show and all the kids put in so much work.  It is amazing what they can pull off in just a couple months of practice.  We love seeing her perform and become the stage character.  And this show she was flipped and thrown around a bunch too as well as having to d oa somersault.  Most of all, I love to see the joy it brings her to be a part of theater.  It is hard work and she gets tired, but she never complains.  I am proud of this talented young lady!

Young Tarzan and young and old Terk at the end of the show.

Teresa and some theater besties.

Declaring that she is going to be the best ape ever!

Singing her solo.

Young Tarzan and yound Terk

One of many flips and tricks she did in the show.

 

Skydiving!

Fot Timothy's birthday, his gift from Grandma was some indoor skydiving.  He picked Teresa to join him.  They each got to do two flights with one of those be a high flight.  They seemed to have fun and both got the hang of it quickly and could fly without the help of the instructor.  It was a fun activity to try!

 

Christmas

As always, the holiday season is upon us and gone so quickly. We started our celebrations with a visit to my aunt.  It was just an afternoon, but it was nice to share a meal and catch up in person.  

I also got everyone to participate in cookie decortaing this year.  Some of us helped more than others, but it was still fun!

Christmas eve was church and then home for dinner and a showing of the Muppet Christmas Carol.  Timothy worked on the Rockefeller tree puzzle too.

The kids were finally up at 9 to open stockings.  Binx was up much earlier and was excited to check out her stocking.

After a breakfast of apple butterbraid, we opned gifts.  It is always fun to see how everyone likes their gifts.  And the kids enjoy sharing what they picked out for others. Troy did another scavenger hunt that had us outside digging in the snow.  We found big ice chunks that needed to be melted to find gift cards!

Since our morning began a little later, we took off for the cities a little later too.  We did not leave until 1pm, but made our way to Susie's in time for dinner.  The kids had some gifts to open later in the evening.  Some highlights of our time with Susie were a pool tournement, visiting the mall of america, and playing trivia together.

Then it was onto my mom's house.  It was a full day as family arrived early to beat some fo the snowy and icy weather.  We had fun chatting, playing some games and being together.  Gift opening always takes awhile, but was a bit less as the "kids" are now getting old.  There was a football game in the snow and lots of good qulity time together.  

Some highlights there were lots of sleepovers for Teresa and Fiona.  Timothy hanging out with a friend.  An intense game of trivia.  And watching some hallmark movies.

I am pretty sure Binx missed us, but Amy and Sophie took good care of her.  I am usually sad to go home, but it was nice to get to see her when we returned.  It was once again, a very merry Christmas!