Monster Truck time, Evelyn figures out her latching kit and other New Year starting pics

Ryan gave Evelyn this Glow in the dark sea puzzle for Christmas. She finished on Jan 7. Her and Adeline were VERY excited to find the glow in the dark dolphins.

As part of a Christmas present, Ryan took Collin and Liam to the Monster Jam event at the Delta Center. They really enjoyed it.

We had a 2.5 week winter break this year. TOO long. One day I made all my kids get off screens and play Rummicube.

Adeline started back up her art class at Gardner Village. She was SO excited the little cement area was open. It hasn't been open since the beginning of September (it always has a lot of decorations on it from Witchfest until Christmas. She was SO excited to run around on the rocks. She is funny.

Evelyn and Adeline played me each in Star Wars stratego and I lost both times. I'm a terrible strategist.

Evelyn got this latching kit a couple of Christmases ago as part of her motor therapy. She has never really been able to do it because Righty has never been strong enough. A few days ago she came to me to help her try yet again.....and she could do it. She does it a very unique way compared to normal but she did several rows all by herself. It is SO rewarding after the drama and struggle to see her accomplish something she thought she would never be able to do. I was so happy for her. So she has been doing a little bit each day on it.

being silly.
 

New Years Eve, and a few last school Dec pics and others

The Polar Express party at school.

Making her gingerbread train.

Out of order pic for New Years Eve Martinellis.

Adeline's super fun Christmas party.

Evelyn got to redeem her free frosty coupon she got from school.

Using the Martinelli's to celebrate New Years.

 Goodbye 2024!

Day 7, Friday, Dec 27, 2024, the LAST day, playing in snow and more games

 Adeline was reading to Lainey before bed.

Jeff's family was supposed to leave Friday morning, but then weather was easier to drive home on Saturday, so we played out in the snow on Friday.

It had snowed a little bit so they built a snowman. It was pretty tall!

Collin pulled Wes around in the sled on the little jump.

More sled pulling.

Look at that great snowman!

Having hot cocoa after.

And a final game night.

These guys will sure miss each other for the next few months. SO wish we lived closer!
 

Day 6, pre hot ones activity, Tubing on the big hills and hanging out playing games

Here is a kid group picture before we went tubing down the big tubing hills off Sunnyside. It was REALLY fun to go with cousins this year. Last year was fun, but it was just the 5 of us, so it was more fun to have cousins come with!

Hanging out in the morning and I taught the girls to play Rummicube. They really liked it.

Adeline making more bracelets.

Here I am in my massive scarf to not freeze going up the escalator.

The boys really had fun with Wes. It was fun to see them just being the cool "big" boy cousins to him.

Wes snuggling with Evelyn while watching a movie.

Big group tubing time.

The girls.
 

Day 6, Thursday, Dec 26, hot ones battle

Jeff had bought the "hot ones" hot sauce and we did a home competition. This was a little later in the competition.

Prepping for the competition.

Here is who participated, but also Adeline and I did as well. I only made it through 1 level.

For the most part nobody was phased until about level 5-6.

I couldn't believe Adeline made it to level 7!

Here she is drinking milk.

Level 7 started getting SUPER bad.

Yep, Level 7 was bad for everyone.

Liam especially.

Collin, Liam and Jeff made it up through the final level 10. Most others backed off at level 7-8. But it was a fun time I guess ha ha.

Liam suffering in level 7.

Completing the 10 levels!

How they really felt afterwards.