This weekend, we took the kids and met the Schmalz family at the Seattle RV Show. The kids were so excited to walk around and look at different RVs. I remember thinking that was super fun too. Actually, it was fun as an adult. 🙂

We would love to get a camper someday, to complement our camping-truck-boating package. Jim has been looking at campers for a couple of years just to get a feel for options, market, brands, layouts, etc so when the time is right – a few years from now at least – we’ll be ready. I hadn’t spent any time in any of this, so it was great to see some options in real life and talk about possibilities. The campers at this year’s boat show would be in good used condition when we’re finally ready to buy.

Testing out our options

Some campers have couches. That seat four.

Some have recliners. That seat two.

And some have bunk beds, even though all four children fit on one bed!

The Keene Kids participated in Blue Friday for the first time ever. We don’t usually watch Seahawks but we couldn’t miss out on thte big #repete, and Grandma Keene made sure they had jerseys. Haley got a skirt from Stella & Lily too!

Saturday, JT had a big cheering section for his basketball game. Uncle Jeff was in town, Preston came, and Grandpa Cole made it even though he had full knee replacement less than two weeks prior. Grandma Cole helped keep his leg elevated during the game. 🙂 It’s a good thing they were there, because JT made his first two points in regulation play. It is pretty exciting. The best part was seeing his humble smile as he jogged back down the court.

The moment!

He wasn’t feeling his best after fighting a cold all week, so he got some special attention from the assistant coach when he rotated out. (We found out Monday he had a double ear infection – no wonder!)

Saturday afternoon, Haley had her Cubbies Special Day. All of the Cubbies were invited to church for a Veggie Tales – themed lunch and fun time. She was so excited that she got to eat two cookies!

Saturday evening, Jim and I went to the Seattle Boat Show with our friends Christian and Elisa. We love walking around and looking at boats (although we won’t be purchasing one any time soon – we love our Nautique!). This was the location of our first date in 1997, so it has a special memory for us. 

On Sunday after church, we went to the Bonnells’ house for the BIG GAME. We had quite a pack of children, all decked out in their jerseys and shirts, hopped up on Skittles and excitement.

We were all very disappointed to have lost in those few final seconds, as were probably half of the 114.6 million other people watching the game.

We had such a wonderful time at our fifth annual 17th Ave House roommates + wives + kids reunion! We were missing one family, the Shucks, who were down with the flu for the weekend – so sad. The rest of us managed to have a great time anyway. 😉 We had twelve adults and fifteen children in two houses for a weekend away in the snow. We love seeing each other each year, watching our kids grow, and catching up on life together.

Breakfast one morning – missing the two youngest babies

Hot tubbing in the snow – feels so good!

Ready for a snow walk

Off we go!

Haley at the beginning of our walk, jumping and playing.

Haley at the end of the walk, worn out and ready for some lovin’.

Jono also loves to read. You can see why I like him. 🙂

JT and I played Connect Four and soon all the kids were gathered around in a Connect Four elimination tournament!

Jim took both kids on individual four-wheeler rides. I missed getting a photo of his ride with JT, but caught Haley’s. She said this was the best part of her weekend, and that she wished they had gone faster but that she loved the bumps. 🙂

There wasn’t tons of snow, but enough to go sledding down a hill right in front of the house with our friends. Plus, it was super cold so the grass was icy and slick.

Before leaving on Monday, we got a couple of nice photos on my camera thanks to Zack the photographer.

Keene Family Winter 2015

First date: 18 years ago today. Love this man!

We did get a group photo but I don’t have a digital copy yet. Leah merged it with the first group photo from five years ago and posted in on Instagram. I was pregnant with Haley in the first photo!

Good times, good food, great friends! Fifth annual roommate reunion! #doublethekids #missingtheshucks

A photo posted by @leahmacaleer on Jan 20, 2015 at 7:17am PST

Last week, Jim and Haley had their next Daddy-Daughter date to watch UW women’s sports. This time is was basketball, and of course they had a great time.

JT and I took the opportunity to go for a long bike ride on some local trails. We even saw a train go by. You can barely hear it from our house sometimes, and he has always asked to go see the train. What a blessing to see it go by on our bike ride, from maybe 50 yards away. So much fun!

JT is having a great time at martial arts. He is learning lots of different moves, increasing coordination, and burning off energy. All good things. He likes his instructor and is looking forward to testing for the next level in May.

Haley is a good watcher. 🙂

 

I got Jim a surprise Christmas gift (aren’t most gifts surprises?). This one was a BIG surprise. Only a few people knew about it ahead of time. Thanks to Christian for helping pick it out and arrange for the purchase, and for Wendy for storing it for me until Christmas… and dropping it off Christmas morning in secret!

Wendy suggested I record the big reveal. I’m so grateful she did.

Basketball started this week! We were so excited to have a large cheering section for JT’s first game, including all four grandparents, an uncle, a cousin, and a sister!

The Upward league is serious stuff. The kids and coaches run out through a tunnel at the beginning of the game, and there are cheerleaders. The volunteer refs do a great job helping the kids remember the rules and what to do, and it is very organized.

The coaches

JT said he had a blast! He can’t wait to play again.

Fast break!

Guarding

Dribbling down the court

After the game, everyone came back to our house for a celebration lunch.

We can’t wait for more!

Jim had to work New Year’s Eve, but we got to spend some time with friends and he ended up getting off two hours early, so he got to enjoy it with us.

Katie and Brock on the countdown

New York New Year’s!

Brock waiting for the ball to drop

We spent the night and got up to a yummy breakfast and bitter cold. That didn’t stop us from sending the kids outside!Oh, and the husbands too… Jim took his inaugural ride on his new bike and he loved it!

Marshmallow Brock

We came home in time to watch Alabama lose to Ohio State… what a sad end to the first day of 2015!

It has been a long time (13 years) since we’ve celebrated Preston’s birthday with him in person. Quick side note, Haley started the day looking splendid in some new things.

Okay, back to the birthday. Preston turned 20 this week, on New Year’s Eve. I called it my auntiversary. I can’t believe I’ve been an aunt for 20 years! Here are the men, getting ready for dinner.

Speaking of dinner, Preston chose well: burgers, fries, and peach cobbler for dessert.

Gift display: this photo is for Gena! 🙂

Preston opening…

JT was impressed with the Guinness World Records book. 

Dessert time!

We just loved being a part of Preston’s birthday celebration this year, a couple of days early. There are many more to come!

After lunch on Christmas Day, we headed to Jim’s parents house for gifts and dinner. It all starts with stockings…

And then gifts…

Haley was super excited to get her own stereo and some new CDs!

Working on her new sewing kit before dinner

Grandma Keene made dinner for 14 people. Each person had a napkin beautifully folded into a tree and a cute candy cane place card!

After dinner, we had a birthday cake for Jesus and we sang. Grandma Keene had made the cupcakes and cake a few weeks ago at our house and put them in the freezer until Christmas Day.

We wrapped up the evening with a dice game. I love this photo of Grandpa Keene. 🙂

The kids were tired by the time we got home that night, and we all slept in a little the next day!