On Thursday, the first day of December, Dylan wanted me to take a picture of him with Hank so that he could print it out and take it to school to show all his friends.
Ironically, December's post both starts and ends with Hank.
Friday, December 2nd was Dylan's first Thunder basketball game of the winter season. We were exited basketball was back in session for Dylan.
The next morning, we woke up on the 3rd and decided it was a great day to go pick out our Christmas tree since we had a free morning.
We found a great, big fat tree that we all loved.
Ta da! My buddy Ava, was a big help as usual.
Dad helped a little and Dylan pretty much just played with his friend that he invited over (in the background working on a science kit). I think he added a few ornaments before Branson arrived.
Such a full and beautiful tree!
The next evening on December 4th, Ava was a go-getter and wanted to get the lights up before we left town.
Good work on the lights team.
This year, along with basketball, we also enrolled Dylan into wrestling. He has been asking and we decided to fit it in amongst basketball practices and the last few weeks of XC practices. Here's a picture of Dylan's practice from Monday the 5th at Arapahoe.
The next day the weather turned cold but, it wasn't too cold for these three Coyotes to get out for a 3 mile run on Tuesday the 6th in preparation for Dylan and Ava L. to run at Nationals.
Thursday, the 8th we flew out that evening for Atlanta, GA where we landed pretty late at night and then drove for an hour or so until we eventually found a hotel for the night. The next morning we enjoyed sleeping in, going out for a big breakfast and then making our way to Hoover, Alabama for Dylan to run at the USATF National XC meet. After checking in for the race we headed out on a family run for Dylan to scope out the course.
Later that evening we found a trendy burger place that had delicious poutine french fries.Yum.
Saturday, December 10th Dad and Dylan were getting warmed up for the big race.
Sister was a big helper too.
The boys 8 and under race went off without a hitch (some of the other races had several false starts). Check out how many kids were in the race! There were 246 boys running in Dylan's race alone.
Dylan was working hard and trying to maneuver through all the runners and the uneven, loose gravel.
Overall, Dylan ran a pretty solid race. He place 63rd out of 246 boys his age (top 25%). Awesome job Dylan! He had tons of fun and we were all so proud of him for making Nationals. Simon and I may need to re-think his training a little for next year, however, because he was consistently running faster each meet in the beginning of the season and then ran slightly slower the last few races of the season. Dylan still ran amazing and worked extremly hard but, as his coaches we will need to think up a new training strategy for him.
Along with Dylan making Nationals, Ava's good friend Ava L. qualified for Nationals as well. Ava L. ran a solid race and place in the top 20% for the 11-12 year old girls. Great work Ava L.
After a relaxing afternoon of watching a movie in the hotel room and then going to the hotel pool with Ava L. too, it was then time for Ava to get some homework done while both Simon and I had a little work to get done ourselves.
After a perfect recovery day, it was time to meet up with Ava L., her mother and Aunt, as well as the Collins family (who were at Nationals for their daughter Alexandra) for a wonderful sushi dinner.
Sunday, the 11th we were ready to drive back to the Atlanta airport to fly back home.
When flying into Denver we were greeted by a gorgeous sunset of orange and blue skies.
The next weekend we were back at it with more basketball games. Dylan had his game on Friday night the 16th while Ava's games were...
...way up north in Greely on Saturday the 17th for a total of three basketball games. Ava's been playing awesome and getting her grove back after taking the summer off.
Sunday, the 18th, I woke up early to a very pink sky morning as I head to the gym before Dylan's...
...first wrestling tournament. Ava and Simon were back up north for more basketball so they missed Dylan's first tournament.
There were a ton of wrestlers at the tournament so it was a little overwhelming for Dylan and I both but, he worked extremely hard and wore himself out in both matches. He lost both but, gave an amazing effort and hung in for a long time. Dylan was new to the sport so once he learned how to earn points in the matches (rather then just muscling it out) he started doing awesome and had a few wins and pins.
December 19th team pictures.
Capturing Dylan's creative mind on December 21st and how he loves to build his Hot Wheels tracks and villages. He can spend ours building and playing Hot Wheels.
December 23rd the kids were FINALLY on Christmas break and it was time to get working on their Christmas cards and present wrapping. Simon thought he was pretty funny when he turned the TV channel to the romantic, fireplace station with elevator music. After a few minutes had passed Dylan finally said "What is this channel...this is the worst TV show I've ever seen!" Simon of course got a good laugh out of his little joke.
The next morning, Grampy and Sharona arrived on Christmas Eve and we headed out as a family to the Melting Pot at 3 pm for an early Christmas Eve dinner.
It was a fun, interactive and delicious way to spend two and half hours enjoying some family time and not having to worry about cooking a big meal or doing dishes.
Then it was video game time in our new Christmas PJs and sweaters from Sharona.
The night before Christmas. So pretty and quiet.
Christmas morning had arrived! The kids knew they had to come upstairs first to mom and dad's room before they could start opening presents (a Christmas morning tradition).
During Christmas morning we were greeted by a group of our favorite running friends who surprised us by stopping by our house during their morning run to sing us a Christmas carol tune. Such a fun surprise.
The joy of Christmas morning.
Marley always loves Christmas morning too.
Dylan's new iPad (his old one had finally taken one to many beatings)
Christmas kisses and...
...hugs.
Exchanging their gifts to each other.
New running sunglasses and mermaid and shark tail blankets.
Simon was on instruction duty while Ava was on Santa duty.
Dylan testing out his new helicopter in the house. Watch out for the walls buddy.
After another amazing Christmas, it was time to get the kids in the gym for a little basketball and rock climbing on Monday the 26th.
By Tuesday the 27th, the kids and I were ready to head up to the mountains to see my family but, had a 20 minute delay and detour because Chili's was on fire. Yikes.
Finally, we were on our way and eventually greeted by this gorgeous sunset when we came out of the West side of the Eisenhower tunnel.
Yay for cousin time! They're all in their new mermaid and shark tail blankets.
By the 28th, we were all on the mountain for a family ski day.
Hot chocolate and fire pit break at the bottom of Arrowhead.
Family time.
Lucky us... we found Jen on the slopes too and,...
...Ava was able to catch up with her friend Adelle for a run together as well.
Twinsies in their cute ski outfits from Sharona.
Such gentlemen giving their Sharona a hand rub.
After a wonderful visit with the DeBourcy family, we were back home and in the gym for some hoops with Dad on the 31st and later that evening...
...Simon and I headed to Renee and Eric's house for a New Years celebration with our closest friends.
A friendly tournament of Mario Car.
However, it got a little intense at times.
Lovely ladies ringing in the New Year accompanied by...
...some handsome gentlemen.
A hilarious, entertaining game of Trivia.
Happy New Year!
During the New Year celebration I received a very sad and tear-filled phone call from my kids that they had found Hank the hamster had passed away. Luckily, I was less than 2 miles away from home so I was able to quickly drive home to give them both some big hugs and dry their tears (and then headed back to our party). The next morning we buried Hank in the back yard and said our goodbyes to a funny, curious and cute little hamster.
Even though it ended on a sad note, overall it was another incredible year and we're so thankful for a finished home remodel and a successful first year of the Colorado Coyotes.
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