On December 4th, Axel had his end of season cross country banquet. Last year only the runners were allowed to attend, but this year they invited the entire family! It was really nice to hear what the coaches had to say about the runners and to present the coaches gift to the coaches and thank them for their awesome job.
Here Axel is lined up with the rest of the class of 2027 runners. The class of 2027 has the most runners consisting of roughly 15 of the 37 participants.
Axel's teammate, Samara's dad, D.J. took these photos and shared them with the team. I love the pictures he captured of the kids and even Keith and I!
Robinson, Harris (graduating and Axel's running buddy for 2 years), Coach Kevin (head coach) and Axel.
Great big brother Axel!
Celebrating Rhea and Robinson's birthdays, lead by Samara and Ava!
Keith and I having the privilege of presenting the coaches gifts and getting to thank them for the outstanding job they are doing helping the kids learn the mental and physical game of running.
On Wednesday, December 18th, Rubix had his Holiday Show performance. He missed swim practice to sing his heart out for us. It worked out perfectly because I was able to drop Phoenix off at her practice which started at 6pm and make his show at 6:30pm. Keith was able to leave his show and get Phoenix at 8 pm. We were lucky to have this work out for us so nicely.
While waiting for the show to begin we were able to see Rubix's science project. I was very impressed with the content of his writing on this project about the Yarrow, since this was significantly better from his last research paper on the penguins.
Phoenix also made sure to give presents and cards to her closest school and swim friends and teachers. Here is the cutest drawing on one of her cards for her friends.
While Phoenix had a birthday party she attended, Rubix finally got to do the gingerbread house he had been waiting weeks to do. The coolest part, he had the privilege of doing it the way he wanted by himself without any sibling telling him what to do! I think he really enjoyed himself.
The finished project! Now its bed time (hence the no shirt).
On the last day of school, I was able to attend Rubix's Holiday party. He had been asking about eating his gingerbread house, so I thought it was quite suiting that he was able to decorate and then eat gingerbread cookies as one of the party activities.
He thoroughly enjoyed them!
He then played the games winning several prizes.
I just love his confidence!
Look at me mom!
On Axel's last day of school he went to his holiday party. His class rented out the party room at Saratoga Country club and had fancy dinner (lunch) that was $68 per plate. Over 100 people attended with more than a third of his class of 200 students. He said he had a great time and even ate the salad that was served before his yummy steak dinner!
On Saturday the 21st we went to Eileen's for her annual holiday gathering. Only Rubix came with because Phoenix was still not 100 % and Axel came down with the cold after his holiday party and slept all day! Rubix had fun trying to play with Alex (14) and his friends, but...
they unfortunately left and he was left alone to play basketball by himself. Luckily, Jade and Zoe came, and Lily's school friends (Alex's adopted little sister) left so they played well with Rubix later in the evening. We enjoyed catching up with Eileen and Luis.
On Sunday we went to Gma Susan's house for our family celebration. It was really nice to see and hang out with the cousins!
Gpa, Ryan and Daddyo
Oh, and Gpa decided to break his right leg too! He broke his fibula and will be in a cast for 6-8 weeks. Phoenix and the other grandchildren were able to sign his festive cast!
The kiddos played cards while the adults hung out and Gma cooked!
Auntie Shannon and Uncle Ryan!
So cute with the matching shirts!
Gma put together quite the feast and we all ate very well!
After dinner it was time for Phoenix's white elephant. We all had such a good time playing.
After our white elephant game we all opened gifts! Even Gma wore a festive t-shirt!
I love this ornament she made for us!
When we got home late on Sunday, Keith and I prepared for Christmas at our house! The kids opened their "Christmas Eve" present of PJ's and snuggled up in bed for the night.
Once the presents were under the Christmas Tree,
and the lights all turned on,
and the stockings stuffed full, Keith and I went to bed.......or we did not! No because Axel didn't realize we were celebrating Christmas so he worked as hard as he could from 9 pm to 1 am to make and create Rubix's Christmas present!
So we all went to bed very early in the morning and Keith and I woke at 7:30 am to prepare our yummy pumpkin lates and put icing on our pumpkin scones.
Once the lates were ready we woke the kiddos up. We took our "It's Christmas morning" photos, both series and fun and then got into the festivities.
Merry Christmas!
We are ready mom! Let's open our stockings!
After stockings we enjoyed our scones and then took our annual pictures in front of the fireplace and tree before the main affair!
We are so silly!
Here is Rubix opening his gift from Axel. Axel felt the lack of sleep was completely worth it to see Rubix's happy face.
Chickens...Yes, it was a great big chicken!
Happy children!
Phoenix received a chicken swim cap, chicken earrings and a chicken Christmas ornament, among other things. Axel enjoyed a shaving kit, origami book and a super duper mouse for his computer, among other things. Rubix, enjoyed his gifts, but the one that I think we all like most is his silent bouncing indoor basketball and .....
his brand new Arena parka to keep him warm at the swim meets!
Phoenix made Daddy a More-On mug, but decided to write Moron. It is a family joke at the dinner table to ask for more of something, that Daddy has taken too far and the kids just love, so hence why he received a Moron mug. She made this in ceramics at school.
Daddy also received new running clothes since he is basically a runner since his bike broke more than 2 months ago.
I will leave you with Axel's new ornament of running shoes, with the hopes that we have good news after his doctor's appt. with ortho tomorrow. He is really itching to run soon with track starting on Feb. 3rd, but my communication with the sports medicine doctor before we left for vacation was on the opposite spectrum of keeping Axel off of running for another month or two. I will update you in the next blog which will be all about our Hawaii vacation, which I hope to complete by the end of the weekend, so check back very soon!
