Week 4

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Last week was a fun and full week as you will see.  Sadly it's back to the grind this week.  At least the weather won't be too bad and there is only one basketball game so I'll take it!

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 20- Monday, 1/20/20

Bella's bed normally sits next to the fireplace which is also next to the TV and lately she's just not happy over there because her aging ears can't take the sound especially if we are watching something with exploding noises like action films or shows. To help her out we've been moving her bed closer to us and further from the noise where she feels more comfortable and she's a big fan of that.

Day 21- Tuesday, 1/21/20

First basketball game of the week.  Both games this week are home games so at least we're not out too late.

Day 22- Wednesday, 1/22/20

Today is my 50th birthday!  It seems so crazy but it's been a good ride and here's to hoping the next 1/2 century will be just as wonderful.

Day 23- Thursday, 1/23/20

Basketball game #2 of the week.  Here's Brandon at the line just after drawing a foul and he makes the shot--nothing but net.

Day 24- Friday- 1/24/20

TGIF!  After work and school we headed to Northstar to kick off my birthday ski weekend and stayed in the village at the base of the mountain which looks so pretty lit up at night.  Meanwhile Justin is in Oakland for a Genesis 7 Smash Bros competitive event with his college gaming club.  He also got to see one of his high school friends there.

Day 25- Saturday, 1/25/20

Today was a perfect weather day for skiing.  We had to remove layers at lunch and buy sunscreen on the slopes because it was so warm and sunny.  The snow was really good too so we had a great day on the mountain and then later celebrated my birthday with these amazing friends that joined us for the weekend.  Thank you to all of them for making my birthday weekend so special.

Day 26- Sunday, 1/26/20

We woke up this morning to snow falling and enjoyed watching that and taking pictures before we all headed back home.  This is such a great group and Brandon was kind enough to help us get pictures.  Poor thing was the only kid there but he was a trooper.  Then sadly, on the drive home, we learned of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and 8 others.  What a heartbreaking tragedy for all.

That's it!  I wish it didn't have to end on such a sad note.  See you next week in a new month.

Week 3

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  We're getting close to the end of January and the end of high school basketball season.  Thankfully most of the rest of the games are at home which helps a lot.  Justin is back at Humboldt and ready to start his 2nd semester.  Spring break is only 2 months away so not too long before we see him again. Tomorrow is a big birthday for me and as usual we will be heading to the mountains for a ski weekend.  I'm super grateful that we'll have fresh snow and also be able to avoid storms while traveling to and from the mountains.  Can't wait!

Until then here are last week's pictures:

Day 13- Monday, 1/13/20

Justin is having an afternoon snack and trying to ignore the beggar boy.  Brandon had early morning practice while it was dark out so he could not ride his bike which meant I had morning drop off and after school pick up duties.

Day 14- Tuesday. 1/14/20

Today at work I typed up a couple protocols and reports, screened some micro plates, and optimized an ELISA test. After work I had snack-bar duties just as the sun was setting so I got to see this amazing sky near the high school.

Day 15. Wednesday, 1/15/20

It's Back-To-School night but first there is a basketball game.  At least the timing worked out so we could attend both.  Most of Brandon's teachers are newer meaning my older kids did not have them so I'm happy to be meeting them for the first time.  This semester he actually only has one teacher that is new to me and that's for his English honors class.

Day 16- Thursday, 1/16/20

Yesterday I received a nice little package from my sweet friend Sharon.  It's an early birthday present and I was able to wear it today.  The beads are made of material that will help bring balance to my life which is exactly what I need right now.  This year has started out pretty chaotic so I'm more than ready for things to balance out and calm down.  Brandon had another basketball game today right after we got back from another doctor visit for Justin.  Here he's waiting on a quick bite to finish in the toaster oven so he can eat before we head out.  He's also wearing the new team hoodie they just got at last night's game and of course texting his friends.  

Day 17- Friday, 1/17/20

TGIF!  It's Justin last night home before heading back to school early tomorrow so we're bonding over Ben and Jerry's.  Who cares that it's actually freezing outside?!  Ice-cream is always a good idea. 😁

Day 18- Saturday, 1/18/20

Rusty a bit annoyed that Justin is gone.  Those two had some good bonding moments over the past few weeks.  Meanwhile Justin has been keeping us up-to-date on his journey back to Humboldt.  First by train, then bus where he saw snow along the way, and then back in his dorm. 

Day 19- Sunday, 1/19/20

Bare winter trees and grey gloomy skies make up the scenery around here this weekend.  At least things are looking better for the Niners.  John is a happy boy with his freshly-made, game-day ribs and a win that will send his team to the super bowl.  #quest4six

That's it!  See you next week.

Week 2

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  We're minus one kid back at school but still have two home.  It's nice Justin could stay longer so we could fit in some appointments and get him set for another just right for another semester.  The rest of us are back at work and school so he's enjoying some time to relax on his own.  Wish I could still be home to chill more. The holidays aren't really relaxing. Work is insane now too with everyone wanting to light a fire under new projects for the new year.  Hopefully things will settle down soon.

Until then here are last week's pictures:

Day 6- Monday, 1/6/20

Justin and Rusty are still enjoying down time.  It was super cold out today so Rusty was sure to seek out that human warmth for a nice nap. 

Day 7- Tuesday, 1/7/20

Last week's low-lying fog was cool but this week's type of fog is so not cool.  It's even worse to drive in and lasted most the day. 

Day 8- Wednesday, 1/8/20

I still have too many kids at home because I'm still running out of milk too quickly.  At least Justin likes to join me on trips to the store and help with the shopping.  As you can see we have much better skies today but they won't last.  There is a storm moving in.

Day 9- Thursday, 1/9/20

Today was a super long day starting with intense rain on my way to work and then again while we traveled a doctor's appointment, but then it cleared by evening giving us a nice view of the moon as we headed into a late basketball game. 

Day 10- Friday, 1/10/20

TGIF and cheers to the weekend.  We made it through the first week back after winter break and are ready to wind down for the weekend.

Day 11- Saturday, 1/11/20

Brandon finished his service learning hours today and got his paperwork signed at Front Street Animal Shelter.  Then just as we were coming home from the 49er game was starting.  Tyler had left his new jersey here and also couldn't fit his Bella pillow in his travel bag last week so this week I sent him both items and thankfully he got his jersey in time for the big game.  This is the whole reason they won.  LOL!  Go Niners!

Day 12- Sunday, 1/12/20

It's nice out and I'm stuck inside doing Sunday chores but at least I can catch up on TV shows while folding laundry.  It's all good.  

That's it! Hope to see you back next week.

Week 1

Happy Tuesday!  This post will include pictures from the first week of 2020 and it's a short post since there were only 5 days last week.  My family has grown up on this blog as I mark my 11th year recording our daily adventures, routines, achievements and struggles.  As in past years I'm eager to see what 2020 has in store for us.

Without further ado here are the pictures from the first week in 2020:

Day 1- Wednesday, 1/1/20

After sleeping in we enjoyed a nice quiet day at home-- the young, the old, and the adorable.  Here's to the first day of 2020!

Day 2- Thursday, 1/2/20

Brandon had early morning practice so we were able to catch sight of the eerie low-lying fog.  Later that same morning after a quick trip to work Justin helped me bake some banana bread.  Yum!

Day 3- Friday, 1/3/20

I think Rusty is happy to have his older boys home.  This is where the cool kids hang out.

Day 4- Saturday, 1/4/20

Today was the only basketball game all week, and I finally got a decent action shot of Brandon on the court.  The rest of the gang was out for their traditional sushi lunch before Tyler heads back to school.

Day 5- Sunday, 1/5/20

. . . And there he goes!  It was an early, foggy flight that lasted way longer than expected but he's back in LA ready to start winter quarter. This is the first time he's had to take a suitcase--too many good Christmas gifts he didn't want to leave home.  At least it's is still a carry-on size.  

Wait!  One more:

First Family Photo of 2020

Taken just after ringing in the New Year and right before heading off to bed.

Ok!  That was quick.  Check back next week to see how a full week in the new year looks.