Marci's Village

Vegas weekend with my girl

Maya was unable to compete due to her injury, but we went to watch and hang out with the team.

The day after the meet we went to an outdoor mall off the strip. We spent hours together. The weather was perfect, almost a little too warm (it's still Winter, right?). The girls even played in a little playground and got in trouble a few times for climbing on playground structures meant for... well... playing! They thought the whole situation was hilarious.

Here, for example.

Silly girls!

I love them!

I finally got into one of the pictures

One of my loves

My favorite

Last treat before heading home

We left late, so we were not able to stop at Hoover Dam. I took a picture of the big lake as I was driving, so I could show it to Maya later. She was passed out sleeping in the back seat.

What a fun trip! As I put it on Facebook -- making lemonade out of lemons.

Valentine's 2015

We are not crazy about Valentine's or any holiday that is too commercialized, so we always keep it simple. Maya's celebration at school was great. The homeroom mom is a former teacher, so she knows how to keep things uncomplicated but interesting. The kids planted seeds and a live plant, ate snacks, and played games.

Phillip apparently is too old for class parties. Oh, well...

At home, we had a delicious dinner and I made dessert (mint chocolate chip oreo pie). We celebrated the eve before Valentine's, since Maya and I headed to Vegas for a competition early on Valentine's Day.

Art

These two love each other's company. They always find something to do when they're together, and then spend hours doing it.

They can be silly too.

Bump on the road.... and a beautiful trip!

 

This amazing little gymnast (I know I am biased) has worked really hard to get to Optionals Level 7 and have the privilege of wearing a long sleeve leo (only optionals typically wear them).

Her little body had other plans, though. It started back in the summer with some tendonitis in her heels. In September, there was a knee injury followed by more tendonitis (heel and hip), and two weeks ago the final diagnosis of a heel contusion. The doctor had suspected a fracture in the area of the growth plate. While we are happy that she does not have a fracture, we're disappointed that she will not be able to compete a full season of level 7.

My role in all this? Support, hug, give pep talks, and make the best of a not ideal situation. Last weekend, we headed to Flagstaff with her team. We had no intention of her competing, but she had other plans. She insisted in doing her bar routine in front of the judges, knowing that she would not be able to land (or maybe she really thought she could pull it off). She had never competed her giants and she really wanted to prove to herself that she could. And so she did. She got a pretty decent score considering the fall on the landing. And the giants looked great!

I was in awe at her strength and passion for the sport.

She still managed to earn a 4th place medal for her routine on bars (8.7 score -- it would have been at 9.2 without the fall).

With teammate after the meet

Meet Medusa! These two were funny sharing a small blanket during the night.

The next morning after breakfast the girls went on a nature-walk with the grandmother of one of our teammates. Later we checked out of the hotel, grabbed sandwiches and headed to Buffalo Park for a "picnic". Except that the girls got cold (yes, it was only about 55 degrees and sunny!) and asked to go back to the car right as we sat down at the ramada to eat. I obliged.

They ate huddled up in the back seat covered by a blanket.

And then they played some more...

I am so thankful for our adventures together!
I love this girl with all my heart.

A beautiful place

It's beautiful in the Summer. It is gorgeous in the Winter.

I am so grateful for our friends who choose to include us in their adventures.

Sledding day

We braved horrific traffic but made it to a sledding area near Sunbowl. The kids played non-stop for about four hours with a small break for lunch.

The weather was perfect for sledding -- not too cold but plenty of snow on the ground.

Yes, there are way more pictures of her because she actually stops and allows me to take them!

Sometimes he does too. Like, when his knee is hurting from hitting a rock and he has a warm pack on it.

I absolutely adore the view from the hill

Is that happiness or what?

Just the two of us pictured by Maya

What a fun afternoon! The kids crashed in the car on the way back. That was good, because it took us hours to get back to the cabin!

We can't wait to do it again next year!!

First trip of the year

Before school started we took our annual sledding trip to Flagstaff. We stayed with our dear friends who own a beautiful cabin in Oak Creek. The weather cooperated and there was plenty of snow on the ground.

The kids could not wait for Flagstaff (or to wear proper pants, right, Maya?). The driveway offered the perfect spot for that evening.

The girls hanging out

The boys

Smores... gathering around the fireplace

The first day of the trip was mellow. We ate a fabulous meal, the kids hung out, and the adults played games and laughed (a lot!).

Glendale Glitters

We went to Glendale Glitters after Christmas this year. It was much less crowded, but some of the charming stores I normally like to visit were closed. Since Papa Ed's Ice Cream was closed, the next best choice was to find a place for steaming hot chocolate. I had the herbal tea and it was delicious!  

Christimas 2014

Some great memories here. To make it even more special, I wish some of the special people in my life could have been here with us.

Let's not forget it was Bruce's birthday too. This huge danish from Trader Joe's was a perfect birthday treat!

Mom loves her necklace

My dear boy and I

Super fun game from Grammy Bennie. We played it that same day!

Thank you, Grammy Bennie, for the cool stuff! I love all of it!

Grandpa opening up some gifts too

Sister-in-law Linda is a crafty woman! I love the bag and have already used it on a trip.

Portrait pictures for Grandpa

Maya's new medal holder. She loves it!

We again had a great Christmas together. We had time for some of our traditions: cookie baking, Christmas lights in my favorite neighborhood, and our own Christmas lights (a simple but nice display) and Christmas tree. Most importantly, the children loved being home and taking a break from all the activities.

Hoping for many more seasons all together.

In the kitchen

Oat bran banana chocolate chip raisin muffin. These have a story. My dear friend Raquel used to make banana bread with oat bran (I think she has some issues related to gluten sensitivity). There was not really a recipe for it. She just added a few bananas, a couple of eggs, oat bran, raisins, honey, and a few other ingredients.

Last week I started making muffins the same way. The kids love it! I am tempted to make it with pumpkin next week, so they won't get sick of these. To my recipe I also add chocolate chips and coconut, a pinch of salt, baking powder, and baking soda. They are not too sweet (only two tablespoons of honey per four bananas) and better than any muffin I have ever tried.