Toddlers, Basketballs, & Misfits.

Emma Lynne Turned 2!

We went down to Wilkes Barre to celebrate with the Tenbus' and Eick's.  It was really great to see Frank's family; we got to finally congratulate Frank's sister Christine on her recent engagement to Adrian.  He is a great guy & John and I are so excited for them!  It was also nice to see little Brian who is getting so very big.  Emma, of course, cleaned up with tons of presents.  It was a Minnie-themed party.  Ever since we returned from Florida with a stuffed Minnie from Disney for Emma, she has been an all-minnie-all-the-time kind of girl.  We are so happy that Emma enjoyed her birthday and continue to marvel as she grows physically and intellectually right before our eyes.

Emma posing with her idol.

She is too cute.

NCAA Doubleheader.

Uncle Terry, Amanda Grace, John & I traveled to the meadowlands in NJ this weekend to see a college basketball doubleheader- Army vs. Penn, and then the main event- the rematch of last years final- Duke vs. Butler.  The first game was quiet- only a few spectators arrived early to watch it.  One my favorite parts of the day was watching the Army basketball team during the national anthem.  They stood in straight line, completely still, all in the same stance until the song was over...meanwhile the Penn team was palming basketballs, shifting their feet, looking around.  It wasn't that the Penn team was doing anything disrespectful but it was just apparent the difference in what the moment meant to each of the teams.  The game was dominated by the Penn team & their star point guard.  Penn won easily.  Afterwards, the army team came out in their uniforms to watch the Duke game; as they walked out, even though they lost, the entire arena gave them a roar of applause.  Pretty special moment.

The second game was really exciting.  Duke didn't really play too great until well into the second half.  Somehow they came away winning.  Some of my favorite moments from the Duke-Butler game were watching "Blue," the Butler bull dog, sprawling out on the sidelines as if he were taking a nap in a quiet, sunny room instead of a noisy, humming arena, and watching Coach K come out to thunderous applause.  

The Izod Center

IN-D-PEN-DENT

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....the Christmas season has truly arrived.  Another highlight of our week was watching Rudolph!  I grew up always watching the classic with my family.  As a youngster, we would go over to my Grandma Katie's and watch it with her.  When I was away at college, I'd watch Rudolph with Amanda Sue and usually call home during to spout off a few of my favorite lines.  This year, my parents and Amanda Grace came over for cookies, milk, and misfits.  We were missing Eileen but hopefully next year we can all be together.  I am mostly done with my Christmas shopping thanks to QVC and other fine online retailers.  Next will be getting a Christmas tree set up. 

Coming up next week...John's first basketball games as the Varsity Girls Coach.