Canter

https://youtu.be/KivvxpiYGtY

Church play

Our church redid a play that the kids did about seven years ago when Mason was the cow. Somehow our kids are the big ones now. But they all cooperated and did their part. Ermi had a pretty long the script to read and surprised many in the audience with his perfect English and confident speaking.

Hooded up for the holidays

Grandma had her hip surgery earlier this week and is doing great. We lit up our hats to hopefully bring some cheer.

Gingerbread "houses" with the G-G family

Snow

KCLS stars

Kids did a promo video for King County Library System Foundation.

Christmas spirit

Guys

Squirrel in the tree

Mannequin challenge

First Match

This is Mason's first wrestling match. Unfortunately, it was also the other kids first match. It was also our first experience as wrestling parents and didn't like the "baby seal" sound this kid made as Mason's arm pressed on his throat. The coach explained to us that it is just a panic response. I think it was that moment Mason fell in love with the sport.

Cheesy Santa

Our favorite Santa was fully booked by the time we got there, so we had to find a replacement Santa. By the time we got there the kids weren't in their best moods, so neither were the adults.

Man on stage

At the Heroes for the Homeless ten-year celebration Cindy and I were standing in the back when we heard a familiar voice calling numbers over the microphone. Somehow Ermias was up on stage and stayed there throughout the presentation.

Charity ball

All gussied up

Kenzie and Devan

So, this is happening

Mason has a girlfriend. We've been trying very hard to encourage open communication and honesty, so when he asked if her family could visit us at the beach, we only hesitated for a second. I think it was weird for both her parents and us, but we are navigating together. Her family is really great, and so is she. We watched them (carefully) on a kayak ride (in plain view) as he rode backward across the bay so he could talk to her as she paddled. Then she fell backward into the water as she got out of the kayak, which he thought was hilarious.

Night beach walk

We donned the head lamps on a windy night and went searching for starfish. Mason and I traded the one pair of waders to walk to the rock in the waves.

Snap

Yum-e