If only I could work one day a week all the time ...

The last couple of days have been really nice ... with a combination of holiday days, vacation days and personal time, I was able to make it so I only have to work Wednesday this week and Wednesday next week.  It sure is nice, I could get used to this :-)  The house is clean, the laundry is under control, I've done some baking, Christmas preparations are basically done, I've had time to read, Chris and I have run a couple of times and I'm even finding time to craft.  Today I started a new quilting project.  I think I'm going to really like this quilt when it's finished.  It's called "Cubbyholes" and is made up of bunches of blocks like these.  All of the blocks won't be made up of the same fabrics, but will be made up of various combinations of blues and creams.  I was able to get 10 squares cut and sewed today and I'm looking forward to getting several more done over the course of the next week and a half!

~Kati

Ahhhh ... Christmas Break Has Arrived!!!!

We've had a busy couple of weeks here ... since I last wrote, we've attended or participated in 4 more basketball games.

• David played at Sacred Heart Academy on the 10th ... they lost that game, but only by 6 or 7 -- which considering who they were playing I didn't think was bad.  Neither Chris nor I were able to attend that game, but since SHA is right across the street from the library, I was able to go over after work and get David so he could ride home with me and he talked non-stop about how bad the officiating was.  Sometimes you have to take these rants with a grain of salt, but I did ask another parent at the next game if the officiating had indeed been bad, and he said that there were some questionable calls ... so who knows.  Still a decent score in my book.
• Jonathan was supposed to play at Ashley on Monday the 14th, but we all got there and Ashley lost power.  They ended up rescheduling that game for Friday the 19th ... they won!!  
• David played two games this past week ... one at Central Montcalm (Stanton) which they won and one at home against Chippewa Hills (Remus) which they lost, although it looked like they might win it up until the last part of the last quarter.

Both boys also had band concerts ... I wasn't able to see Jonathan's, but was able to attend David's.  I think my favorite song was the jazzy version of "We Three Kings" they did.  I didn't start recording right from the beginning and this is from my phone, but here's part of the song!

Many thanks to both sets of grandparents who were able to come up and see David's band concert (and attempted to see Jonathan's game ...)  I was able to snag a picture of Chris and Bruce -- you all know this is not an easy thing to do!

So, the biggest news around here right now is that David passed his driving test this morning!!!!  He of course thinks this means mom should get a new car for Christmas (not happening) .... or at least by his birthday (we'll see, but probably not) .... I'm glad he passed it on his first try though (I think I was more nervous than he was) and has it out of the way so come March he can just go get his license!

I know it's not a popular sentiment, but I sure would like some snow ... it's hard to get in the Christmas spirit with all this rain, but it's looking like we're going to have a greenish/brown Christmas.   :-(  I am pleased with myself though ... I have everything purchased, and everything that is in my possession is wrapped!  I'm truly hoping I can sit back and relax for most of the next two weeks ... I hope you all can do the same!

Well, I'll sign off for now ... we wish you all a very Merry Christmas if we don't "talk" to you before then!!

~Kati

Catching Up

So it's been almost a month since I last posted ... oh how time flies.

Inhabitants of the Red House have been busy, busy, busy .... a LOT of basketball (and still a lot more to come), plus general activities to get ready for the holidays.

Jonathan's basketball season has been a pretty good one. I think they've only lost 3 games so far. Two were lost to our arch rivals, the Irish from Sacred Heart Academy. History has shown they are pretty hard to beat, but they really whomped on us both times. Other than those games, the boys are playing pretty well and Jonathan has even made the announcements a few times for his scoring (see next paragraph). Jonathan plays again tonight (Wednesday) and then has his last game next Monday.

The 7th grade basketball team evened their record at 2 and 2 yesterday with a 32 to 12 win over Coleman. Scoring for the Mustangs were Jonathan Gormley, Kyle Russell, Camron Renne, Eder Lopez, George Shaw, and Parker Burggren.The 8th grade team lost a close game to Coleman 55 to 38. Scoring for the 8th grade team were Tyler Powell, Chance Wagoner, and Austin Pawlowski. Both teams will take on Ashley next Monday. 

Thanksgiving was nice ... always good to spend time with family and eat good food. I made a couple of these cute turkey snack platters (with some help from my SIL Christie)!

David's basketball season is off to a good start. They played their first game on Monday against Evart and won by ONE point (43-42) ... I told him if they play like that every game I'm going to have high blood pressure by the end of the season ... it was touch and go at the end. Pretty proud of David though ... he scored 25 points in that game (yes more than 1/2 of the entire points!!) It is really fun to watch him play.

Well, I'd best be off ... more later, hopefully with pictures of David playing ball.
Wishing we'd get at least a little bit of snow to cover the yucky brown outside ... but I know some prefer this nicer weather ... either way, hope you're enjoying it!
~Kati