Rielee's tree

Rielee posed for me in front of their tree today, and later helped me wrap some presents.  

Lucy's stocking, Rainbow loom

We put out Christmas decorations this morning, cleaning as we went.  The girls were helpful, making a game of cleaning.  They pretended Papa was a King and they worked for him as "cleaners and cooks".  They said they liked their jobs because they got to eat and live in a castle.

We came across a kit I'd bought last year for a stocking so they made it for Lucy.  It had a big plastic needle and yarn they used to lace up the edges.   

In the evening I got out a Rainbow loom I'd bought for them at a garage sale.  We found instructions on YouTube for a beginner's bracelet and they both made one.  It was a little challenging but they enjoyed it. 

They were very proud of the finished product. 

We played 4 games of UNO before bed and amazingly, Papa won all of them. 

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at Emmy and Dan's house today.  Emmy and Auna ran a 10K race in the morning and still managed to look this cute for dinner.

Dan smoked a turkey that was delicious as was everything else.  For dessert we had a choice of Emmy and Auna's pumpkin pie, Laury's cherry pie,  my peanut butter pie or Emmy's chocolate pecan tart.   We went home very full, feeling fat and happy. 

Charb brought Ava and Harper over so they could ride home with us.  They had been at their great-aunt Mary's house for dinner, not far from Emmy's.  Emmy let them take pictures with her instant camera.  Ava took one of Emmy and Auna, Harper photographed Crouton, Emmy's kitty.

Christmas music all day long, Lucy's bath

Rielee came over early Saturday to stay with us.  I bought her a knock-off Lego set with 800+ pieces so she went right to work on it.  Lucy decided to watch and help.

Ava and Harper came up about noon to stay also.  These 3 were glad to be back together and had a fun time doing all the same old things they always do, including digging for worms in the water. 

"Alexa, play Christmas music."  That's all they wanted to listen to... 

They made a bigger and better blanket fort which Ava and Harper slept in.  Rielee read until they went to sleep, then got up, since it was still early, and went back to work on her Lego project.  But it turned out that she was too tired, so back to bed (the couch) she went.

They were up early, Ava took a bath first and let Rielee braid her hair.  Harper went next and then found a puzzle to put together.  Rielee decided to finish the Lego house.  It had a complex roof design and poor instructions, Papa helped but they still made a mistake.  Rielee got frustrated, we tried to tear off some and start again but she finally quit and decided to finish it with her Dad.  

 Poor Lucy, Rielee thought she needed a bath, so she and Harper took her in the bathroom and shut the door.   Rielee came out later with scratches on her neck and hands, asking in a panic if Lucy had her rabies shot (yes).  Harper said when Rielee put her in the tub, Lucy jumped out-scratching Rielee and flying right over Harper's head!  Ava said she thought Lucy looked like a porcupine, with her fur all wet and sticking out.

Yakima-Volleyball State Tournament

 Auna on the court during their first game against Lynden Christian.
 Although they didn't win at state, it was a great experience.  And did I mention Auna played her heart out? 

After Auna's last match Friday night.

We also watched Emmy's Kalama Chinooks as they beat Wahkiakum and Wilbur-Creston Friday.  Saturday they went on to beat LaConnor and Mossyrock, winning the 2B Championship!
 

Veteran's Day Program

 The 2nd grade at King's Way Christian had their annual Veteran's Day Program today and it was exceptional.  The Boy Scouts presented the colors, then several kids got up to speak about Veteran's Day, of which Ava was one, she did a great job.  They sang the official song of each branch of the military as the veterans from that branch stood and were honored.  The 8th grade band accompanied them and the audience was invited to sing along, too.  The speakers explained the meaning of  Veteran's Day and how veterans are honored, and then they closed by singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "America".

It made Papa's birthday very special.

What's a space needle?

One more picture from Seattle, the view from the parking lot as we were leaving.  It was cute, when we were driving into the city, Ava and Harper were oohing and aahing at all of the lights.  Ava said she wanted to live in a city, it was so pretty.  They were impressed, but not with the Space Needle, they couldn't understand what it was and our explanations didn't help a bit.  It was a long day, we didn't get home till midnight, but what fun, and these two were so good.

Going to state!

 This is the best picture (not mine).  It captures Auna's elation Saturday afternoon at beating King's Way Christian, taking 3rd in District, and going to state!  They'll play Lynden Christian Friday morning in Yakima.
Emmy's Kalama team won the 2B district title, so we'll see them in Yakima, too.

A happy Parker and family.

Parker is also headed to state- Kelso won their playoff game, beating Seattle Prep 19-14 in an exciting back and forth game Sat. night.  Next weekend they'll face Meadowdale.

The girls played and Rielee's in the morning and outside this afternoon, riding scooters, doing twisters on the big swing, and getting messy in the water.  What's more fun than finding a baby worm, then watching it crawl up your sleeve...?