February 2023

Jim and I flew to Scottsdale at the beginning of February. We had no idea it was illegal to bring your own drinks on the plane.

Connie picked us up from the airport and we enjoyed some delicious Mexican food.

The next day we met up with Kitty and Keith and hiked Tom's Thumb.

There were beautiful views!

Keith forgot his tennis shoes and had to hike in flip flops.

We had dinner with Keith's parents and then went to the local watering hole in their retirement community. It was so fun!  The next day, we rented mountain bikes.

Then, we had fun at Top Golf.

Jim bought this hat at a gas station.

Dinner and drinks out capped off the night.

The following day we relaxed at Connie's before flying home. It was a great weekend!

Back in STL, Jim and I enjoyed a dinner out and then saw our neighbor's son's band play.

It was a fun show! I love the band name - Non-Euclidean Geometry. We definitely brought the average age up.  

I took the kids to a chess meet. We did not visit this nearby establishment, but I thought it would be fun to get Patrick's picture outside it.

Maggie's favorite night of the year arrived!  The annual Daddy-Daughter Dance did not disappoint.

I found this picture on my phone from the night some friends came over to watch the Super Bowl.  Patrick pretends to be besties with his friend's older sister.

I helped out with the Valentine's party in Charlie's classroom.

These neighbors and classmates were dressed up to celebrate Valentine's Day.

The kids were excited to get Valentines in the mail from Nana and Papa.

Maggie enjoyed her basketball season (good D, Mags!).

On President's Day, we visited the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Then, we had a picnic lunch in Forest Park, and explored the nature playscape. 

Ted Drewes with our #1 gal after her basketball game!

I helped host a baby shower for Maggie's teacher. The kids enjoyed these blue cake pops I made.

The kids played fun baby shower games and drank blue gatorade as they celebrated their teacher.

All three kids qualified for the chess finals!

They played games between rounds.

It was the final CYC match for these two. They have battled each other several times over the years. Hopefully they will play again when both are in high school.

Grandma got a new place and we went over to hang out. One of the kids took this picture. I love how happy we all are in it.

It was a fun season of basketball!

 

January 2023

The new year started beautifully with a gorgeous day to play pickleball!

The whole family came to the courts.

Jim and I wore the matching shirts that Aunt Sue gave us. Photo credit: Maggie

One evening Jack had some friends over and they joined our family for dinner.

I took 3 of our kids and some neighbors on a hike on an unusually warm day.

If there is water, kids will throw rocks in it.

We stopped in the visitor's center to play. Maggie read a book to our sweet neighbor.

One weekday, I drove Jim's mom to Columbia to meet her sister and niece for lunch.

Sisters!

Jim's aunt gave us her beautiful Christmas china. I used it when we hosted his mom's birthday dinner.

Happy birthday, Grandma!

Maggie enjoyed playing basketball this year.

The choir sang at a holiday concert.

Our sweet singer.

Maggie got to read at the all school mass.

I took the kids to a chess tournament.

Jim and I went to the winter social for his work.  After the event, we went to a bar we used to frequent when we were dating. We ran into our neighbor's daughters and their boyfriends. We felt old!

Charlie took first place in his final year participating in the Pinewood Derby!

Charlie played basketball.

We hosted a dinner for Papa's 70th birthday!

Cousin sleepover!!!

I love a helper in the kitchen!

Jim's band played at the Blues game (for the second year in a row)!  This time, we all came to the game. Uncle Michael and Auntie Kathleen were there, too.

You could see the band playing on all the tvs in the arena.

So, so cool to see them playing at such a fun venue!

Jim made the jumbotron! 

Charlie's buddy was there with his parents.  We got a message while we were at the game that due to predicted inclement weather, school was canceled the next day! Hooray!

This was Jack and Maggie's first Blues game.

We got to play in the snow with neighbors the next day!

Charlie and his friend worked on their science experiment.  Maggie and her friends provided comic relief.

I volunteer once a week in one of Maggie's classes. I love seeing this girl at school. I was lucky enough to get to be there on her birthday.

Neighbors came over to have ice cream cake to celebrate our 9 year old.

Maggie got some cool gifts (hat, boots, remote control car).

Maggie's wearing my readers and I'm wearing her headband.  

We celebrated my friend's birthday at a karaoke bar!

Maggie had fun at a slide park with some friends.

We finished January with a family birthday dinner for our favorite girl!