Sharks vs Coyotes in Glendale

Brett's team won their morning game, guaranteeing a place in the championship game the next day and getting them the night off.  Just so happened that the Sharks were on the road in Glendale which was a short 55-minute drive in traffic across Phoenix which Brett couldn't resist.

Outside Gila River Arena is an open-air mall.

The Sharks take the ice for warmups.

Nice seats, center ice, lower bowl.  Wish my family was here with me.

Joe Thornton warms up before the game.

Sharks win 3-2 in a shootout.

After overtime, it was tied and went to a shootout!

Martin Jones makes the save with Brent Burns looking to clean up the rebound.

Faceoff in the defensive zone for the Sharks.

FaceTime with Joy while I was away.

The whole crew on FaceTime.

Dad getting his FaceTime picture ready.

January Activities--the coming of Kylo, et al

From the Arrival of Kylo to Laser Tag to family birthdays to Geography Bees to lounging around and studying with the cats, this all sums up the month of January.

Brett, Haley, Wendy, and Caitlyn all blow out the candles for the family celebration of January/February birthdays.

Garrett competed in the Annual Geo Bee at Hickman.

Griffin frowns his way out of the dining room/fireplace room.

Kylo liked this perch by the window where he could look in and watch us.

Residency alumni gathering at James and Lory house.  Brett worked late and arrived as things were wrapping up.

The boys enjoyed battling with swords with Matthew.

Sure was a kid-friendly party.

Rolling up to the front yard was a huge video game trailer...yeah Brett, you were late.

Family Laser Quest night--I think we had the place all to ourselves, which was awesome.

A little happy married couple moment.

Won't you adopt me?  I submitted my application at the back door.

Cruz's Star Wars birthday party--our boys love any party that has a Star Wars theme.

Joy works at the desk and keeps Leia cozy in her lap.

Cuddling with cats and trying to get some work done.

I may have a crazy left ear, but it adds to my charm, don't you think?

Kylo's nervous meow, he is otherwise a very quiet cat.

Who is that kitty in the window?

Rebels vs Imperials:  the amazingly intricate game of Star Wars worlds and fleet and land battles.  All designed by the boys themselves.

Leia investigates this new anomaly in the backyard, Kylo.  He is NOT my son!

Special New Years Day dinner after Dad got home from work.

Our Family Christmas

We celebrated our family Christmas on the 23rd this year since the 24th was packed with church and a drive to the Bay Area with the 25th being occupied with Brett scheduled to work.  We even texted Santa and asked him to delivery his stocking presents on the 24th, as if we were still in Sri Lanka.  The boys were taking a real active interest in buying presents for each other and earning money to do so.  It was a surprisingly heavy influx of Star Wars based presents, especially with the recent release of the Last Jedi.

Dad did some bargain shopping and got things on big discounts and each boy got a big Star Wars toy to add to their collection.

 

A lot of boxes that were wrapped turned out to be old Amazon boxes...to make the shopping easier?

Nicki hooked us up with some more Star Wars themed goodies.

The boys gifted Dad with an amazing hand crafted and drawn 1000 piece Rebels vs Imperial game inspired by Axis and Allies.  Finally the game would see its day in the sun.  

Mom made some amazing cinnamon rolls that kept rising and rising until they spilled over...

We put together a 12 Names of Jesus present bag for one of our friends so they could go through the fun of opening the presents and reflecting on Jesus.  A little help while the father is away serving in the military.

Christmas Eve Celebration

On Christmas Eve, we attended church in the morning and then prepared for our departure to the Bay Area.  On the way, we met our friends, Eric and Sharon along with their kids Grace, Caleb, Luke, and Anna for a quick lunch and shared time.  Our boys remained silent on giving away hints about the new Star Wars movie that they had not yet seen, which even meant locking the car since we had books in the car that told some of the story.

Then it was off to Brett's sister's house to celebrate with Wendy and James, Haley and Rachel, Grammy and Poppy to begin with and then later with Jeanne and Bruce, Caitlyn and Avery, and Marilyn.  We had a great time catching up on adventures, sharing stories, and watching the cousins work together on a recital of the Christmas Carol and then later a dramatic reading of the true Christmas story of Jesus birth.

Santa came earlier on the 24th!

Optimus Prime mask for the Transformer guru--Eric.  Fit him perfect!

Grammy and Poppy with their grandkids.

Bryce loved his multiple cat face quilt that Grammy made special for him.

Kona jumps up on Brett's lap.

Rachel helps Bryce put together his Rathtar.

Griffin opens a present...does he already know what it is?

Garrett and Haley act in the Christmas Carol.

Rachel and Haley enjoys their lines also.

Joy's latest Christmas cake:  amazing colors and flavor.

The infamous spider was gifted to Griffin.

Brett and Bruce recall the original date of the spider, circa 1984--now a family tradition.

Avery ponders whether to actually try on her new dress...or just move on to the next present?

The cousins begin the dramatic reading of Jesus birth.

Happy Birthday Jesus!