Fun Times

We had a busy weekend that was full of family and fun! Saturday morning we left the house by 9:15 for basketball pictures and games. Both boys are playing Upward basketball this year and are truly enjoying the experience. I was simply happy that we were participating in an indoor sport as it poured down rain all morning long!

After the second game, we scrambled to Des Moines to enjoy part of our Christmas present from Aaron's mom and husband. They gave the entire family tickets to The Lion King at the Civic Center. What an enjoyable gift for the whole gang. Thank you Ween and Doug! It was fascinating to watch it through my children's eyes. I sat by Austin for the second half, and he was completely intrigued by the mechanical and staging aspect of the performance. He had figured out where all the sounds were coming from, as well as the fact that young Nala also played the baby elephant, and was trying to predict what would happen next with the stage. With Pride Rock moving on and off stage, he wondered if that was human-powered or run with a remote. He definitely has his father's mind! Dinner afterwards together capped off the night.

Sunday afternoon led us to Hubbard to spend some quality time with all of my grandparents. We took pizza to the care center and ate lunch with my grandpa and watched a little football with him. At 93 years of age, he was happy to simply have the company and the diet Mountain Dew we brought him! The boys were even excited to go because they knew they'd get Casey's pizza and get to ride around in Grandpa's wheelchair! Thankfully Grandpa's room is at the end of a hallway so they don't disturb too many people!

We spent the rest of the afternoon with my other set of grandparents. Austin and Carter entertained my grandma by teaching her how to play hangman. They played that simple game with her for over an hour! Austin then retreated to hang with Aaron and Grandpa watching the football game while Grandma taught Carter and I how to play Chinese Checkers. Needless to say, she beat the pants off of us as we had never played. We'll have to hone our skills before we see her again!

We finished off Sunday by having the neighbors over to watch the Vikings lose to the Saints. So, when the phone call came in for a late start for school this morning, I was more than relieved to have a couple extra hours at home. Needless to say, it was a quick day at school with the blizzard conditions also causing an early out! Hmmm...sure hope this one counts as a day since we already have 5 to make-up.