The Runners

We've had a chilly week here.  So chilly that all the boys have been willing to wear long sleeves and pants more than once without me forcing them to. Mer started out the week with a little stomach virus. She was so afraid to throw up at school that she just stayed home for a couple of days. Thankfully her stomach just felt unsettled and that was all that came of it. She thought these triplets were so cute that she just had to take a picture as we picked them up.

With the chilly weather we've been sipping cups of hot chocolate and trying to make pictures in them. Mer was super proud of her bear. Can you see it?

The school jogathon was Friday and I was able to go volunteer at it and watch the fun. It is pretty cute to watch kindergartners earnestly running laps.

 Each of our kids ran the most or 2nd most in their classes. Luke -25, Jack 35, Max 47, (13 laps = 1 mile.) Looks like all that training paid off.

Luke told me today, "Mom, I think I should just keep on practicing my running so I'm ready for the next time we do something like that."  Great idea, Luke, you are definitely a Markos.

We decided to do an experiment and go "Screen free" this week which meant No TV, or devices on school days.  There was a lot of complaints as you can imagine but I think the kids did quite well.  Thankfully the trees decided to drop their leaves this week too, providing the perfect afterschool diversion.

I think the experiment has fostered a little more family togetherness so we just may do it again.

Mer played in a soccer tournament on Saturday. They won both of their games and she actually put a goal in.  Goals are harder to come by the older you get so she was pretty excited. Her legs were sore today from her double header.  She also gave a great talk today in church.  I'm so proud of this girl.  I went to a high school meeting for her this week, High School!

My legs are a little sore today too. I ran a 5K yesterday with the intention of just seeing how fast I could run it. I set a goal to be able to run a 5K at an 8 min/mile pace and this race was meant to show me where I was officially at.  I finished it in 24:22, a 7:51 pace, and came in 1st in my age group. I was pretty excited since I generally run at about an 8:30 pace. Looks like I need to figure out a new goal.

Good Night!

Since Christmas...

It's time for another little Mischief recap.  ready? Where did we leave off...oh yes Christmas.  A couple of days after Christmas we took the new boat out for it's maiden voyage.

 Let's just say it was quite a learning experience where more than a few impatient words were spoken.

It was awesome once we got the swing of things. The boys totally loved it of course.

And Doug let the big kids take a quick turn at the wheel. 

Next up was our trip to GA for a little New Year celebration,

We loved seeing cousins and family.

The crew minus Hank.

Uncle Mike took us to see a house that was over the top decorated with Christmas Lights.

There were lots of hugs, squeals, and giggles floating around.

 Perhaps my favorite part about the weekend was how nicely everyone got along.

 Hank followed Max around everywhere.

 Jack and Grace were always up to something fun. And Luke was just happy to have George as a buddy.

Doug was excited to finally have a running partner who could keep up with him, or wait, was him trying to  keep up with her.

After we drove home we spent the next few days de-junking our closets and garage.  With our most exciting addition being this lovely new tool chest. 

We can now actually find the tool that we need and then see where it goes to put it back.  Sweet relief! I'm thinking it would be fun to have a little chest like this for my sewing/crafting tools too.  Just need a place to put it. 

We had a kindergarten assignment that we neglected over break, so the day before school started again we took Gingerbread Fred on a trip to the zoo, to make up for the fact that he was left home alone while we were in Georgia. 

And now we are in our 2nd week back. The kids have been playing Monster freeze tag when it gets dark outside inspired by one silly Sunday of face painting

 FREAKY!

And so life goes on...its going to be a great year!

It's Christmas!

After waking up on and off throughout the night and then being told to go back to bed at 6AM. This is how it began...

Max tried out his "Christmas Soda" ...

 "smell it!"

After the stocking frenzy died down. I made them all pose for a stair steps picture and to model their new Christmas jammies.  Since I didn't finish sewing the pants until late last night I wrapped them and put them in the hallway for them to unwrap before coming out.  Max said he put his on at 4am. :)

Mer is loving all things Disney princess these days.  She was laughing at herself here because she asked for a princess coloring book for Christmas.

Doug bought himself quite a few presents this year. Some of them were presented as family gifts. :) Here's his new trailer hitch.

Mer and I tried our hardest to prevent Doug from guessing all his presents as he usually does. We wrapped his presents in odd ways and stumped him all day :)

 Jack made Luke a sweet bunny all by himself.  

 After we opened all the presents we got dressed and went to the hospital to go caroling with some friends from church.

After caroling we had a couple more friends come over for dinner. 

We bought some pies from The Blueberry Muffin Restaurant.  A Chocolate silk and a Key Lime.  the ?best Key Lime I've ever tasted.

After lunch we finally got a little down time and the real playing began.

And movie watching too

 This satisfied smile says it all. It was a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!