1 day = 6 games

Mike and Rosie made the trip from Atwood to Manhattan to watch the boys play in the Manhattan tournament in early February. They timed it well and were able to catch six games in one day. We drove from one site to another all day long. Owen's team had an exciting win over a 30-0 team in the championship game and Miles team had an exciting three overtime game that they lost by one point. Adam and I were able to enjoy dinner out (after spending quality time together working the concession stand). 

They must have missed the "wear your Under Armour" memo. 

Hoops

IBoth Owen and Miles have been busy playing basketball every weekend--Wichita, KC, Topeka and also some local tournaments--Wamego, Clay Center, Chapman. They both love basketball and really like their teammates.  Adam has become the psycho dad who takes his own stats at Owen's games (Miles' games still have too many jump balls and turnovers to keep very accurate stats). Actually, he just has a cool iPad app he enjoys using and Owen likes to go through it after games.  My parents have been able to watch both boys play and Mike and Rosie are planning to be at the Manhattan tournament next week. 

More Christmas 2014

A few more pictures from Christmas 2014...

Owen had been hoping to get these shoes. Thanks Grandma Jean and Grandpa Harlan!

Graham trying out his iPad. 

Owen's phone was wrapped with a bunch of books (to confuse him). 

Graham helping put the girls' chair together. 

Trying to decide which one is bigger and better. 

Grandma Jean is moving into the smartphone era. We set her up with a new phone. This is one of her practice sessions. 

Christmas 2014

We spent Christmas in Lebo this year.  I'm pretty sure we all came home 10 pounds heavier after snacking for four days!  It seemed like the boys loved every gift they received this year.  They've certainly played with/used/worn everything during the break.
The kids couldn't wait to get to Lebo, so we left Adam to work in Manhattan and started down early, making a short stop in Council Grove to wish Aunt Nancy and Uncle Rolland a Merry Christmas. Grandma Jean was ready with lots of gifts for Miles to sort through (he loved looking at all the presents and guessing who they were for and what might be in them) and tons of food.  Quint, Susan and the twins were also in Lebo, and we had lots of fun playing with the "babies"--we still call them babies, even though they are growing up.
This year they all received new games to play on PS3 or iPad, hoodies/sweats, tennis shoes, other necessary clothing items, basketballs, and giftcards.  We broke down and bought Owen a phone, and he was thrilled.  So far, he's been very responsible.  Miles' main gift was a new iPod touch, which he loves and uses all the time.  He's an avid texter to the people he's allowed/able to text.  I was gone for two hours one morning and he texted me emojis of smiley faces, poop, and a snowflake, along with numerous questions of when I would be home, could he have a snack, what do we have for snack, etc.  I apologize if he has your number!  Graham got a new-to-him iPad that he will get good use out of at basketball games and during travel to games.

Checking out what Santa brought.  

As you can see, the twins didn't get much for Christmas :).  

Miles was excited to get Minecraft from Aunt Nancy.  He and his friends are really into Minecraft this year.

Graham with Hulk and the bad guys, also from Aunt Nancy.

Thanksgiving

I had good intentions of posting our November/December events BEFORE the end of 2014, but holiday travel, prepping for second semester, play dates, organizing/cleaning drawers and closets, etc. has eaten up every bit of my break.  With only a day left of break, I'll attempt to squeeze it in. Starting with Thanksgiving...
This was our year to go to Atwood.  We lucked out and didn't have to pack coats since we timed our trip with the 70 degree November weather.  The kids enjoyed all the time spent outside, especially driving the cars and trying out the metal detectors that Rosie bought.  They didn't find all the treasures that Mike had buried, but they worked hard trying to.  Other highlights were talking to Santa (at the local discount store), working at the store, going to the store after hours, lots of cousin time, and early Christmas with this side of the family.

Graham and Jack driving one of the cars in Grandpa Mike's pasture behind the house.  They are wearing the headlamps that Grandma Rosie gave them for Christmas (she has a soft spot for anything that lights up).

Uncle Josh cuffed Miles (who probably deserved it).

One day the biggest of the "Big Kids" worked for Grandpa Mike at the grocery store.  They got paid half of the minimum wage salary (along with ice cream, candy, etc.).

The three Littles had a great time playing, tattling, trading electronic devices, etc.

On a different day, the other "Big Kids" worked for Grandpa Mike.  Surprisingly they actually got paid--we thought they might get fired.  

We kicked them out of the car and made them run home to burn off some energy.  Miles and Reese are definitely two peas in a pod.  

The "Littles" riding to the park in the "Granny Car"--an old Buick Rosie drives around town.  They were on a roll talking about all things poop.

We were trying to recreate an awkward family photo we had seen, but I think it's actually pretty cute. All eight grandkids in order from youngest to oldest.  There is an adult version on someone's camera that I will have to track down.

On The Road Again

Both boys' basketball seasons are underway which means we're burning up the road every weekend. Miles is excited to play on his first traveling team. They've played four games and won three of them (and just barely falling to a 4th grade team). He's having a blast and doing a great job. The league they are in now allows only half court defense, and he keeps getting whistled for guarding too early. He is done until after the holidays when tournaments start. 

Both team pics are missing one player. 

Worn out after two early games. Catching a nap on the way to Owen's games. 

Owen is playing on the same team that he joined in third grade. It amazes me how good (most) 6th grade teams are. They went to a huge tournament in Wichita this past weekend. They made it into the top division, but lost a couple of close ones including a double OT game. Of course, Owen loves every minute of it. Miles and the other younger siblings have a great time in the stands. We stayed in a hotel this weekend and that was a big deal to the boys. Not so much for Mom and Dad who had to sleep with Graham. 

Fun with Friends

At the beginning of November Sharla and her boys came to stay with us. The boys played while we made some Christmas crafts. We ended up with enough football tickets that Adam was able to take all the boys (minus Graham) to the KSU game. Owen and Brady were the lucky ones who got to sit with Jeff in the "good seats."  Us old ladies enjoyed the game inside a warm house, glueing glittery snowflakes and reindeer. 

Halloween

We aren't huge fans of Halloween, but actually had a fun evening with friends--despite the frigid temperature!  I let the kids choose their own costumes (so long as they weren't too complicated to create or track down). Graham was the blue Ninja turtle, Miles was "Scream", and Owen was a KSU fan. The big kids trick-or-treated at BLAST and that alone earned them enough candy for 10 kids!  We went to a neighborhood party at the Snowdens' and then each kid went their separate way.  I was with Graham's group and they had a total blast!  We still (November 16) have enough candy to last us until the Easter Bunny restocks.

Fall #2

This post will be my collection of random things that I want to document. 

The elementary teacher inside me is trying to get out. E-hall bulletin board. 

Twin day with my favorite math teacher, Laura. 

From a box = homemade by my standards. Prizes for classes at school. 

Yes, we buy Owen new shoes. The kid must play some intense kickball at school. 

Another pair bites the dust. Steel-toe boots perhaps?

Crazy sock day at school. I love that they want to participate. Hopefully they never get "too cool" for such things. Miles even wanted to go shirtless on pajama day since that's how he sleeps. 

Random nap after making a nice little nest (beanbag on bed). 

Fall #1

In an attempt to catch up I'm going to dump a bunch of stuff together and call it, "fall."

Over Labor Day weekend we trekked out to Denver to spend time with the Butlers. The kids had a blast playing with cousins, hiking, and watching movies in the car. I was excited to visit IKEA for the first time. 

A week later we celebrated my favorite twins' first birthday in Kansas City. You better believe they liked the cake.