Getting ready for the Packers game

We had another pretty quiet weekend here. Saturday Anna had gymnastics and a birthday party in the evening and she and I went to the mall for a birthday gift and so she could help me pick out some new pants. Jude stayed home and played in the park with Marcy and of course we went for our regular weekend run around Wash Park.

Today was the day Jude had been looking forward to all week. The Packers played the 49ers in the NFC Championship game this evening. We got dressed up in our Packers gear and watched the game. But the 49ers played flawless football, particularly in the first half, and dominated the Packers. Jude was bitterly disappointed and turned to watching Glee for much of the second half.

Mother and daughter with their girl scout sashes

Anna has been doing Girl Scouts now for a few months and she has already added a few badges and pins. This morning Marcy dug out her old sash from 35+ years ago and took this really cute selfie.

Anna and her friends wearing their new Nuggets hats

On Saturday night the Denver Nuggets basketball team held a special Scouts Jamboree night and Anna’s girl scout troop was invited. I went along as a chaperone. There were probably around 500 girl scouts including several from Anna’s troop. After the game the girls were all invited down to the court to shoot some baskets. It took forever and by the time Anna got close to the front she was getting really tired so she opted out and we went home.

At the Nuggets game with my girl

Apart from that it was a pretty quiet weekend. Anna had gymnastics, Jude and I went for our Saturday run around the park and we watched some football. Jude was delighted that the Packers won and move on to the NFC Championship game next Sunday.

Anna did a shadow day at ISD on Friday so it was Jude, Anna and Elise in the car. On the way back from school Anna and Elsie decided to dress up Olive. While she doesn’t seem that happy about it she does look adorable.

Olive being dressed up by Anna and Elsie

Celebrating the New Year with confetti

We brought in the New Year in Iowa and as usual Baba supplied the confetti, balloons and special drinks. The kids all had a blast and were delighted to find some cash hidden in some of the balloons. Jude and Anna wanted to stay up until midnight so I stayed up with them. We watched some Curious George and then the Dick Clark New Year’s Eve special. Anna stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York and then decided it was time for bed. Jude stayed up until midnight and then went to bed immediately.

Anna enjoying the New Year’s celebration

The twins and Anna had been working on a surprise for us for weeks. On New Year’s Eve we found out what the surprise was all about. They were not just making us all one meal, they were making us breakfast, lunch and dinner. They printed a menu, Anna took food orders like a real waitress with Ella and Chloe hard at work in kitchen with an assist from Anna. They did a great job and everyone complimented them on their hard work.

Hard at work making lunch on New Year’s Eve

We left on New Year’s morning much to the chagrin of Anna and especially Jude. He really didn’t want to “ruin” his New Year’s Day by driving back home. But after a late start we made it home in good time.

Snuggling on the couch with Grandpa

Marcy had Ridhwan on the weekend starting on Friday afternoon. So, Jude, Anna and I decided to see the new Star Wars movie on Friday night which we all enjoyed. I thought it was much better than the reviews suggested. On Saturday we had a quiet day then on Saturday we drove to Keystone for our first ski day of the season.

Anna racing down the mountain

We had a full day of skiing from 10am until 4pm, although we did have a long break for lunch. Anna did a couple of extra runs during our break while Jude and I watched the end of the Saints-Vikings game. Both kids skied really well and despite some of the typical bickering the kids enjoyed their first day on the slopes.

Selfie on top of Keystone mountain