RJ Haircut

RJ gets a haircut from somebody other than Sara! This was helpful to bring his hair into compliance with school regulations.

RJ's new look

Hockey Skates

RJ's hockey skates were too small and not protective enough ... so Sara took him to Pure Hockey.

For $300 your skates get to be molded

Before school skating on back porch (don't worry, not the new skates)

School in December

Lots of fun school activities (and a few tests) in December.

December 11: 5th grade trip to MD Science Center

Class photo - Sara chaperoned and learned a lot about things other than science

Lots of interactive exhibits (also hanging, pulleys, more)

December 16: 5th grade gift exchanges

Gift exchange #1 at our house

Party #2 at Reagan's house

December 19: 8th grade activities before winter break

Did RJ lose his sweatshirt?

Reindeer ring toss

Cookie challenge

December 19: Julia attends Battle of the Books movie

snacks and lounging around ... fun!

Warrens Visit

Old old neighbors the Warrens were in town and stopped by. Julia and Doug got to see them for 35 seconds before blowing out of the driveway to get to a basketball game.

Jim and Laura even got RJ to smile!

Thanksgiving 2025

We hosted a fun Thanksgiving complete with traditional food, pickleball, a birthday, and some sports on TV.

Julia preps the origami turkeys for the place settings. Doug made cookies that we forgot to give Granddad

Julia set the timer to 5 seconds ... probably should have been 10

Walter the dishwasher in action!

Julia made a delicious chocolate cake for Grandad's 83rd birthday

RJ regripped the pickleball paddles in the morning. Cousin John couldn't resist ...

Cousin John outlasted RJ (who took a 2 hour nap)

Somehow Walter was invited onto the forbidden couch

Julia on the wheely chair and Walter pulling for food. Walter wasn't exactly the Budweiser Clydesdale, but he got the job done ...  

Whitetail Prep

Quick trip to Whitetail to get equipment for ND, prep ski house, fix internet, and have some fun.

Started with a hike to see if Doug's bead toss was still the highest on the bead tree...

Sadly, bead tree was trimmed

pi Remember to inspect back of chair 40!

Kids recovered fallen beads and Doug started a new bead tree (only 2 necklaces)

Julia hung out with Ava while RJ/Doug gathered food for lunch/dinner. Sadly I have no pictures of Julia/Ava playing pickleball, eating s'mores, and doing whatever else 10-11 year old girls do.

RJ's crew didn't come up so he kept Gunner out of the girls' hair

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No Sports

In a strange sports-free weekend we did some volunteer work ... 

Setting up to prepare 28,000 meals at St. Agnes

RJ working in the meal prep line

KOC pancake breakfast at St. Luke - RJ biked to church, Julia had food in her mouth

Doug made chocolate chip pancakes at the empty workstation near the electrical hazard :-)

... and we treated ourselves to a nice dinner as Sakura.

Kids were mesmerized by the chef ... RJ said to mention he was 3 for 3 catching food in his mouth