A Good Grandma

I saw this picture my brother-in-law took of my mom and Conner, my nephew, and I loved it.  My mother has 22 grandkids and if you asked any one of them, they would know Grandma loves them.  She is so good and making each one feel important, and I know I would never be able to keep up with 22 like she does.  She always remembers birthdays, special occasions, and shows her love and support at any opportunity.  Just yesterday an envelope of Valentines arrived in our mail for my kids.  Nothing fancy, just cards to show her love and succors to enjoy.  She is even Facebook smart, and I see her sweet notes she writes to the kids that are on Facebook.  She is an example I strive for.  I don't think 22 grandkids are in my future, but I know for the ones I do have, I hope to be as good of a grandma as she is. 

Family

Most of us.  I didn't get a picture with everyone, darn. 

I have been blessed in my life with amazing family.  My parents and siblings are all very supportive and loving, Tom's family is the same, and my children and Tom are amazing also.  We all get the short end of the stick at times in our lives, but my family, thankfully, is not my short end.   Along with being super awesome, my family loves to spend time together.  We get along great and just tend to gravitate to one another.  Typically if one family mentions they are doing something, the rest usually tag along.   This New Years, they all gravitated to our house in Pacifica, all 33 of us. 

It is always hectic and crazy with a group this size.  Everything is a little more challenging, carpooling take patience, there are a lot of mouths to feed, bodies to clean, shoes to find, messes to clean, but it really is all worth it.  When I hear my kids talk about their cousins and the fun things they did weeks later, I am reminded it is necessary, and so valuable.    

While they were here, we hit up Anyo Nuevo.  A fun time seeing elephant seals, but not the best choice for the younger ones.  We got a guide that loved to talk more then he loved to show the seals and our little ones, and the teens got antsy.  I don't think we will do this one again anytime soon.  The good news is no matter what we are doing, we bring our own entertainment. 

This was group 2 at Anyo Nuevo.  Somehow we put all the loud boys in the group with Grandma and Grandpa.  Intentional, you decide. 

Awe, my group.   All the cute little ones and adorable girls.  Lots of kid carrying but way more mellow then the other group I am sure. 

 The second day we hit up Fisherman's Warf, the Chocolate Factory, and Hyde St. Pier.  This Pier never disappoints and the boats for my kids never get old.  We go here a lot and unlike the Golden Gate Bridge, they never complain about going again.

It was another successful adventure with the Scholz group.   I am sure there will be many more... at least I hope so. 

Christmas

This Christmas for me seemed a little on the quieter side.  We still did all of our favorite family traditions, In-n-Out for Christmas Eve, reading of Luke 2, sang Christmas Carols, baked a ton of cookies to share, and of course, opened our Christmas Pajamas.  

They loved them this year, really.  So happy to have them on they refused to show their faces. 

Tom and I got in a run Christmas morning, which was a first for me.  Typically he gets one in but it is harder for me to get away.  This year, we left the kids watching a new movie and headed out the door.  It was fun, and I felt a little on the guilty side (that mom guilt will get you every time) but it felt like a mid-morning date that we haven't had in a while.  Perhaps this needs to be a new tradition.

We didn't book a cabin this year in Tahoe, regretfully at first.  I was just dragging my feet this year but turns out it was for the best.  There is NO snow in Tahoe, sadly.   We did make it up for one day and a few of the resorts were making enough snow to enjoy the smaller runs.  Tom took Sean to the kids area and Andrew and I hung out on this run.   I am glad Andrew hasn't decided he won't hang out with me yet.  Either he is still young enough or I am cool enough that it all works out ok. 

Hopefully some snow will come soon so we can take a few days and make a fun trip out of it.  Perhaps in February?

Andrew's Basketball

Andrew has been busy as well, with of course basketball.  With both Sean and Andrew playing, I found myself at 4 games a week, and I guess you can say I am becoming a fan.  Andrew is playing for his middle school this year, IBL and loves playing with all of his friends.  

Here he is my stud of a 12 year old, #12. 

Here is a video of him dropping a 3, not too long after making a free throw.  Love this boy. 

Kira's Winter Concert

This years winter concert was spectacular.  The band played amazingly well, and there was a huge surprise.  The band received a grant of over $38,000 from the Mazza Foundation which means a new timpani, a trumpet, low brass, marching drums, a vibraphone and other new instruments.  Amazing!

To watch a little bit of the concert, go here.  

This was their last song, and I could have listened to them all night.  Amazing job.   I am really proud of Kira's commitment to this.  I always think it is so much time and work, but then the rewards are getting to hear these performances. 

Sean's Basketball Season

This was a first for Sean.  He has been waiting and waiting to be on a team and this fall he got the chance.  We started with the Boys & Girls Club league and at the first practice he cried, and sat by me on the bench, watching.  I wasn't sure if he would ever join the fun, but since he had two friends playing along with him, the shyness wore off and the fun began by the next practice.  He loved every second of playing and looked forward to each game.  He played hard, and most of the time, played the entire game.   Below is a video of his first basket. 

The best part of the season was the last game, played full court, and the trophy that came after.  Honestly, I was worried there wouldn't be a trophy at the end and so relieved.  Sean made it very clear in the car before the last game, if there wasn't a trophy, I would have to go buy him one at the store.  The trophy has been a big hit, going every where that we go, and being held and worshiped at all time.  I have never seen a kid so excited about a trophy before, and I am glad he got one.  

I have a feeling this will be the first trophy of many for this kid.  Andrew is motivated by Money, Sean is motivated by Trophies. 

Getting the Trophy.

Kira's Field Show 2013

Fall for Kira is busy, busy, busy.  Practicing actually starts in the summer and then the competitions begin in the fall.  This years show was "The Giving Tree" and I think it was their best one so far.  If you want to watch the show, go here.   Be sure and notice the Tree in the middle, it was my favorite part, next to the talented alto saxophone player. 

We made it to all the football games again this year and not only loved watching the band, but loved seeing Terra Nova go undefeated.  

Now the anticipation begins for what next years show will be.