12 days of Christmas

All five of us had twelve days off for Christmas this year.  That's a lot of togetherness time, and I was concerned it might be a little too much!  Or possibly a little too much time for teens and dads to go to their separate spaces and not do any togetherness!  So we came up with a plan for doing something together everyday, and to have plenty of downtime, too.

Before the holiday, we did some last minutes errands and shopping.  We drove around and looked at Christmas lights.  The Packer's played on Christmas Eve.  We didn't get it on our TV, so after attending the Christmas Eve service, we went to our local Packer's bar and had lunch.  We were not the only ones!

After the game, we had a family game night.  Christmas day was spent opening gifts, eating pancakes, and watching Christmas movies.  

The day after Christmas, Reggie had a doctor's appointment and got rid of his boot!  We baked bread and the kids went to see Wonka with a couple of friends.

We did our only traveling on Wednesday/Thursday when we spent the night near LaCrosse at a vrbo with Bryan's family.  It was the first time we have all been together for a few years, so that was a blessing!

We went shopping at an outlet mall and ate at an iconic arcade.  Bonnie wanted to spend the night with the kids so Bryan and I took her cue and planned a date in Minneapolis.  We went to a Christmas light display at the landscape arboretum. 

The Packers played again on New Year's Eve, but this time we watched it at home, and then watched the ball drop.  On New Year's Day, Lydia went to a friend's house for a sleepover.  The rest of us made hoppin' john with black-eyed peas and peach cobbler.  The Christmas tree came down and we got ready to return to work and school!

It turned out to be a really nice break.  Reggie and Lydia both still had practices scattered throughout the break, but nothing compared to our typical schedule.  One of the biggest wrestling events of the year is a three day trip to Fargo between Christmas and New Years, but because Reggie couldn't wrestle, we stayed home.  That probably won't happen for the next 4 years!  I am truly grateful for the time we had together.

happy 16th birthday, Brett

Baby Brett is 16! He is 5 foot 10 inches tall.  Brett got his wisdom teeth removed this summer.  He was brave and tough.  Going into the surgery, he was sure he would be up for going to the park with a couple friends afterwards, and he woke up talk about it.  But he didn't quite get there that afternoon! Then a couple months later, he got his braces off!

A while back, Lydia went to Olive Garden with her volleyball team.  The boys kept saying they had never gone there.  I"m sure they had, but didn't remember it.  So we went there for Brett's birthday.  He liked it! Later on, I took him and a few friends to a trampoline park and pizza.

Brett and Lydia went to their 3rd Packer's game this fall.

This fall, Brett decided to try soccer through the adapted high school league.  We have one combined district team - the Thunderbolts.  His team advanced to State!  He earned a varsity letter. He is looking forward to trying adapted softball in the spring.

Brett is enjoying taking ceramics this year.  He also takes gym along with his general education and core classes.  He loves school and has made some friends.  He also loves attending youth group and his group of friends there.  He avidly follows the NBA and loves basketball.  He is very attentive to our guinea pigs, cooks, and likes to play video games and watch YouTube sports videos.  

happy 15th birthday, Lydia

On Lydia's 15th birthday, she gave me a gift!  She got out of bed a half hour early so we could go to Bruegger's and Caribou!  

She wanted million dollar mac'n'cheese and a DQ cake for her birthday dinner.  We had a few too many things on our calendar that week, but eventually I took her and two friends to a pottery painting place and they had a sleepover.

Lydia is 5 ft 2, and probably done growing.  This year she got invisalign and contacts.  She also underwent a very unpleasant procedure to repair an ingrown toenail. 

My nephew calls Lydia a high-functioning introvert and I think he's accurate.  She makes friends easily even in new situations, but gets her energy from lots of alone time.  Lydia enjoys playing the piano, reading, crocheting, painting, and listening to music.  She'll almost never turn down popcorn and movie night and loves ice cream!  In addition to lots of volleyball, she joined Key Club, Mud club (ceramics), and Royal Connections (social club supporting inclusive relationships).  She is in year two of being a unified partner with Special Olympics, on the worship team for our church's kids' ministry, and is involved in the youth group.

For the first time, Lydia spends a lot of time on homework, and I'm proud of how well she has adjusted to the rigor of high school.  She is light-hearted, whitty, and confident, and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with her!

grateful hearts

 

Brett and Lydia joined Bryan at a Parker game this fall.

Lydia and I went to see the long awaited Hunger Games prequel the day before Thanksgiving.

So many preparations around the kitchen island, but many hands make for light work!

Mom and Dad arrived via plane this year.

Grandpa and Brett made pancakes

Games and Hot Dishes day included a "winner's hat"!

A very competitive game of popdarts...everyone wants to wear the turkey hat?

Taylor does!

halloween was a thriller

Brett was a horse for Halloween

A long and painful ER visit led to the news that Reggie's ankle break would require "some special care".  They put him in a splint and sent him home with crutches, emphasizing that he should not bear weight on the ankle until he saw a specialist.  The next day the orthopedist delivered the hard blow: surgery and a long rehab. If you are, were, or have an athlete, you understand how much grief this news brings.

Surgery was scheduled on Halloween.  Reggie got a nerve blocker which he does not recommend, but I'd bet the alternative would have been even worse.  The break was through the growth plate and required moving some nerves around and inserting two screws.  Because he is still growing, the screws will probably come out this spring.  Everything went smoothly with the surgery until it was time for Reggie to come out of the anesthesia.  We heard calling for extra support over the intercom, and a few minutes later a nerse rushed us back to the recovery room.  Six adults were standing around Reggie's bed, trying to keep him laying down while he regained awareness. Eyes closed and mumbling football nonsense, he kept trying to get up and walk out of the room!  He was calling plays and saying, "Put me in, Coach!" while the eight of us held him back from getting up and tried to get him alert enough to stay put.

Once Reggie was home and settled in on the couch, we proceeded with our second annual driveway bonfire and weenie roast.  It's fun to have Taylor join us to help pass out candy and he makes really good s'mores!

Reggie missed a total of three weeks of school.  We are so grateful our retired friend, Bonnie, was able to stay with him three days a week so Bryan and I could continue to work as much as possible.  We are also very thankful for a main floor guest room and bathroom.  He slept in the guest room for a full month.  He was non-weight bearing and primarily moved around on a scooter for 6 weeks, and then transitioned to a walking boot.  On December 26th, he was released from the boot.  He returned to his lofted bed on December 31st, and he started PT today!

We are saying our prayers and willing and pushing towards getting a few wrestling matches in before the end of the season.

Reggie and I watching the last football game of the season in our camp chairs.

Day of surgery, leg elevated, Penny situated on lap!

In a cast, 2 weeks after surgery

First day back to school

Back to his bedroom (floor), one month after tackle