Winter

It's hard to get out of a warm bath when the air is a bit chilly. Thankfully Jens has her plush robe to keep her warm and cozy.

 Rock is still in the midst of hockey. He skates really hard for an hour trying to prove that he's ready to play on the team. I'm proud of his effort and energy, but he's not a big fan of sweat getting into his eyes.

 Normally we stop somewhere quick and easy for dinner, but he had skated especially hard and wanted the carbs that only pasta can provide. 

While Rock and I travel to and from Wenatchee, DeA and Ryker learn how to turn themselves into lethal weapons. 

 Look at that guy and tell me you aren't scared of your life.

 Mom and Dad's house is coming along nicely, with the basement almost completed. We took Lindsea and Travis' crew up to inspect the progress.

 The views up there are pretty great.

Pictures of, and by, Ryker. Also, a Kid-less Thanksgiving

Ryker recently discovered the front camera on my phone. He's taken about a thousand pics just like this one:

 Sometimes he gives us what might be considered a smile, but usually only partially.

 He likes taking pictures of other people, especially his beautiful mom.

 If that wasn't enough, he also stumbled upon the collage app on my phone, so I have dozens and dozens of Ryker-created family collages.

 At least he seems to love his family. 

 Somehow, someway the kids talked Grandpa and Grandma into letting them tag along to Utah for Thanksgiving. Something about seeing MAXAMILIANO, I'm not sure on the details. All I know is the kids loaded up into Flipper on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and left DeA and I all alone for the weekend.

 Good luck, Grandpa and Grandma. You are going to need it.

 How did we spend our kid-free long weekend? Mostly like this:

Canucks!

The kids have been begging to go to a real NHL game. The stars finally aligned and we made the trip to Vancouver. The drive got us in late, and the kids were riled up from their naps and the long ride. It didn't make things easier when we realized that they are outgrowing normal hotel beds, so we had to sleep them sideways. One more trip and we are going to have to put one in the bathtub. 

 Despite the late night they woke up early and ready to explore. We walked a few blocks over and found a small waffle place. The kids were big fans, even if they thought some of the food was a little different.

 Ryker was impressed with the mini potatoes, thick toast and delicious sausage. At least I think he was impressed.

 DeA has never, ever come to breakfast without first doing her entire morning routine. Usually that puts us at least to brunch, but usually lunch. The kids were adamant that they wanted to leave right away, so she came with us. Doesn't she look beautiful? She doesn't even need her long routine.

 For some reason Ryker thought that he didn't need to use utensils in Canada.

 His sticky fingers proved him wrong, but he still refused to use his fork.

 Ryker wanted to carefully document the entire trip, so here he is with the skyline view from our hotel.

 We spent the morning swimming in the neat indoor pool. 

 We found an outside, glass elevator that took us down to a dungeon Costco. Ryker was so thrilled that he made a video of us going down and back up.

  We had a little time to kill so we made a stop at the team store. Ryker found a cool hooded onesie that he wanted to wear to the game. I don't know how you could say no to this:

 Finally, we were decked out and ready for action.

 Jens wanted a cape, so we got her a cape. I don't know when she will wear it again, but she got a cape for the game. 

 We barely made it through the gate when they started begging for pizza. So, they got pregame pizza. 

 Ryker may have eaten his piece of pizza a little too quick.

 Ryker wanted a selfie, he looks so proud to be with DeA and I. 

 The kids had a lot of fun at the game.

 The Canucks lost in overtime, in large part due to a terrible call by the officials that negated a good Canuck goal. The kids weren't very forgiving of the ref's mistake, but I think we still had fun.

 All the excitement made the next morning fairly rough. Ryker had a hard time prying himself out of bed.

 We hit the road fairly early and stopped at Canadian Denny's for breakfast. They all ordered make-your-own Frosty the Snowmans.

 Rock was pretty proud of his finished creation.

 Ryker was too busy licking his frosting off to ever actually finish his snowman.

 Jens was pretty proud of her finished Frosty.

Hunting and More Playoff Football

For the second year in row we went up to Colville and Chewelah for elk season. It was snowing and hard to get up high into the hills, but we still had fun.

 If this were a calendar, there would be a giant bull elk in the middle of the meadow. But life isn't a calendar, it's a cold and elk-less.

 We did see some moose, but no elk.

 At least it was pretty.

 I had to come home early to call the Manson playoff game against DeSale. Unfortunately Manson lost, but it was still fun calling the game.

 DeA was so worn out without me that she fell asleep while Facebooking and still swiping.

 Jens wanted a selfie in our matching hats.

 We had some snow and ice on Sunday. Jens fell walking out to the car and hurt her bum. She is bright and grabbed protection for the rest of the day.

Halloween and Playoff Football

Every year the kids look forward to the mass lobotomy that we perform in the garage. The gourds were courtesy Uncle Dave, they were big and gooey. That's just how Ryker loves it.

Pretty scary crew and Jack-o-laterns.

They looked pretty intimidating on the front porch.

The kids had extra time to show off their costumes, thanks to the Trunk or Treat party and the downtown trick or treating in Chelan.

After Trunk or Treating was over, the kids established their own black market to trade the generic candy for the good stuff.

Manson played a big game against Brewster to determine who advanced to the state playoffs. The team played great and Rock's old lunchroom buddy played a big role in the win. Rock waited while Eduardo took pictures with his family, I was starting to worry that Eduardo was going to be too busy for Rock.

I didn't need to worry, Eduardo had his mom take a picture of the two of them:

This is our last postgame meal this season. Rock played well but was pretty bummed that the season was over.

With the season being over, the boys were able to focus their violent energy toward each other.

The two boys playing tackle football against each other ended just as you'd suspect, with a fight and tears.

Halloween was on a Tuesday, which meant I was home in time to drive in with the rest of the family for the downtown trick or treating.

Rock made his own helmet for his costume. Brian Kenck gave him an old from Goodwill that Rock painted, assembled and applied stickers. He was pretty proud of his hard work.

Ryker was a pretty scary vampire.

DeA went as a sexy high school girlfriend.

"I vant to suck your blood"

They were a little too hopped up on candy to pose for a picture.

The next day, Jens was complaining that DeA never does her hair like she did her own for Halloween. So, she went to school with a side ponytail.