Basketball Update

Willow's had 3 basketball games so far and the learning curve has been GREAT! They only had 5 scheduled practices before their first game and she missed 2 due to family events, then the last practice before their game was cancelled due to snow, so she went to the first game only having attended 2 practices. So....it made for an interesting first game. Lots of ducking from the ball and watching (not necessarily the person with the ball). The girls didn't know about getting open, rebounding, or staying back to throw the ball inbounds. Game 2 was much better and Willow even shot the ball a few times! They don't keep score on the scoreboard (because it's just about having fun....right???) but she told us the score was 3-13 the first game and 9-8 the third game. They play 4 mins at a time, then rotate the next group of girls, so they all get a good amount of play time. All of them (girls and Owen!) are afraid of the buzzer. We try to warn Owen before it happens and somehow he's survived all the buzzers for 3 games =) Check out some videos:

Game 1:

Attention 1 & 2

Defense 1 & 2

Dribbling 1 & 2

"Fancy Feet"

Watching

Game 2:

Shot/Pass 1, 2, 3, 4

Jump ball!!

PA Christmas

This was my first year of teaching that I didn't have 2 full weeks of Christmas break. We were still able to get to PA for 5 days though, and even got 8" of snow to play in while we were there! 

The road trip gets easier every time we go. Owen even took a nap without being prompted to, which made the second half even easier! We need to throw a pillow in for Willow. She was trying her best to sleep but not sure she truly ever fell asleep. 

Willow and Owen are blessed all around with loving, generous family!

And just moments after the unwrapping was finished...

All of Patti's siblings were able to come over to celebrate together on Tuesday night, as well as a few cousins. Uncle Steve and Uncle Jan sure got the kids riled up!!

Check out the craziness.

And once Uncle Don came over, the activity turned to climbing up them! No one knows for sure if any of the 3 of them were able to roll out of bed the next morning!!

You'd never know that Uncle Don had bypass surgery the week before!! Eek!

The first snow was 2" of wet snow that was perfect for snowballs and snowmen. 

Owen's ninja roll.

Watch out!!

Rosy cheeks and hot chocolate afterwards!

Owen hasn't shown interest in playing ball in the backyard for over a year now (insert sad face...). Chris got him "splitting snowballs with a stick" though. Totally different, right? 

The kids were excited to sit at the "kid table" the last half of our stay. Willow looks like a giant at it now! Owen was quite the little gentleman getting it set for dinner one night. He'll sure make someone feel loved when he's older!

We woke up to 6 more inches of snow the next morning! What a beautiful winter wonderland!

So pretty!

Willow enjoyed playing Trouble MANY times throughout the week!

And don't forget the biannual tea parties! 

We ventured out to a local park to go sledding. Both kiddos enjoyed it (as well as all of the adults!!). It was fun to see the kids being willing to try new things (face first!!) AND be able to carry their own sled back up the hill without being carried =)

You're only as old as you feel, right??

Sledding Videos:

Willow

Willow

Willow and Chris

Willow and Gramma 

Willow and Owen

Gramps and Gramma

Willow (face first)