Ski Day

Our cover school had a ski day event on a Tuesday with wonderful conditions at Dodge Ridge.  Our family of five all took lessons together (first time for downhill lessons for Brett!) since it had been a couple of years for the boys since their very first downhill experience.  We made progress and continued to hone our skills and increase our confidence.  

We are having a beautiful ski day.

Garrett and Bryce get off the lift and head out to the first drop.

All the boys picture...

Family ski lesson!

Bryce is ready to go.

There has been a lot of snow up here!

Getting warm by the fire pits during a break.

Joy and Griffin ride the ski-lift.

Griffin with Jake and another friend.

Bryce says, "I can get the gear on and off now, no problem."

Snow bunny smile.

Garrett making Dad do a double take wearing Joy's yellow jacket.

 

Back to Back Debate Tournament Weekends

We had back to back weekends of debate tournaments, starting with a Friday in Cameron Park where Grammy and Poppy joined us for the whole day to help us fulfill our judging requirements.  Phil Darke also drove up from Folsom to visit and judge a few rounds.  In the end, Bryce and Griffin won a round and survived their first six round day.  Garrett and Daniel achieved their first checkmark.

The next Saturday, all five of us went to Watsonville to the Monte Vista campus for an all day affair in which Brett was selected to serve in Tab to help with quality control and be an outside source to confirm the accuracy of results.  Bryce and Griffin achieved a 2-4 record and won an AFF round for the first time with a rewritten 1AC.  Garrett and Daniel hit some top competition in the first couple of rounds and had a hard time recovering after that.

Garrett and Daniel discuss their ballots.

We survived two six round tournaments within a 7 day period!

Checking the postings for the first round.

Dressed for success, ready to compete positively.

Garrett is cross examined by Matthew Day's partner.

First six round tournament for Bryce and Griffin!

Daniel and Garrett go 5-1, achieving their first check mark.

On the podium to get a medal for TP!

Thankful for Grammy and Poppy joining us in Cameron Park.

Daniel, Garrett, Poppy, Bryce, Grammy, and Griffin in the front row.

 

School Resumes and January Events

After a busy start to the year with tournaments in both speech and debate, it was back to the classroom for more ICC chapter meetings and trainings.  The boys invest time in their teaching and leading roles as they know this is how they will grow the most.

Bryce, Chloe, and Jake lead an activity at ICC.

Isabella and Griffin team up for a devotion.

Biology class looking at slides under the microscope and drawing and describing what they see.

Soccer time in between classes on Thursday.

 

Isabella and Griffin working together again.

Garrett filled in for a sick classmate and teamed with Bryce.

Jude enjoys matching his big friend, Bryce.

Bryce and Garrett working together on their peacemaking challenge.

Griffin lounges on the couch with Wrecker.

Joy retreats to painting.

What a beautiful painting of us on a wintery lake.

Thursday classes inside.

Qi'ra stalks Brett for his milk after he finishes his cereal.

Leia gets a loving tummy rub from Griffin.

Qi'ra logs on for her class.

Little circle kitties enjoying the warmth of being inside.

Qi'ra investigating new spots.

Big figure battle.

Leia goes to work with Joy.

A different location for meeting at ICC.

Does Qi'ra want to join us for a bath?

Garrett provides a warm lap.

Joy got her haircut from Michelle.

Gaming and loving it.

Wrecker finds a warm place to snuggle with the sleeping Griffin.

Joy and Domarina at clinic.

Indoor flowers to brighten the day.

Qi'ra sits with Bryce as he works on his project.