that's a wrap

This is what NYE looks like when you are 40, sickness and loving nights home - especially when they are few and far between. 

Oh and Ed's favorite human is Piper. 

Let's go Packers. 

And Red Wings. 

Nothing like a few germs and some phlegm. 

Bring on a healthy 2024. 

The Holidays

Christmas Eve - 

Better late than never, we finally got our Annual Gingerbread competition in just in time!

Rowan vs Eddie this year. (Eddie with a W). 

Then we were off to the Swan house, for a quick visit with the Hanson side of the family. 

Then it was off for family time at Grandma and Grandpa's house for the majority of the day. 

We spent Christmas Day at home - was a lazy fun day. Through the rest of the month we had Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill over to celebrate for a few hours. And also were able to spread some cheer with Karen and Doug as well. Everyone was spoiled as usual. 

never enough hockey

Why not catch a boys HS game when we have a night off over Winter break??

Chippewa and dinner

Off to Chippewa falls for an overnight trip. 

Quick game, followed by late night hotel pizza - some FortNite, then another am game. 

Ed and I ran between periods to get a quick sandwich at Ray's (at Coach Sorky's demand)

Then we headed home to meet the family at the 5 O'clock club for a quick birthday dinner with Luke. 

games all around

Eddie had games at home over the weekend, complete with some family visitors - sadly a loss. 

Followed by Rowan at home a few days later. Before we hit the road again next weekend

Piper is ready for Christmas!!

Jerky Drive

Service project wrap up - Jerky Drive!!

Smith Christmas 2023

We were able to spend a few hours together tonight with the whole family. 

Few and far between these days due to busy kids schedules. 

There was nerf wars, food, old school video games, gifts and more. 

Leave it to Nana and Papa to come up with a new game to entertain the kids while also earning gifts. 

Toss a ball in a muffin tin with a number, and your winnings are in the corresponding solo cup. There was money, scratch offs, trinkets and more. Somehow the youngest one earned the most money...hmm. 

Sidelined

Sucks seeing her sidelined with a mild concussion, and on the bench undressed. 

Grandpa still made the trip with me - despite Rowan not playing. 

Fingers crossed she starts to progress and can get back on the ice soon. 

A tough loss to USM, 1-0.

Divide and play

Boys had a great weekend @Notre Dame while Rowan managed to end the game with a concussion. 

Mrs. Pud even took Eddie and Ethan along for a ND tour - so fun. 

They also found time to do their team holiday gift exchange too!

Started the earlier week with St. Nick showing up, some practice and then off to USM for a couple games. But it turned into just one game when Rowan and Rae managed to run into each other, causing Rowan to fall backwards and hit her head on the ice. It was towards the end of the game, but it warranted a visit to the trainer - which landed her a mild concussion diagnosis - and a break from the ice. 

it's December

Scooped up Grandma from Grandpa in Madison on December 1st - and we did a little shopping and pizza for lunch with Karen. Then I kidnapped Grandma, on December 2nd, and we drove Rowan and Paxtyn to Hudson for the day for a game. Rowan guilt tripped me - because not many girls were taking the bus, and it was a school bus, not a coach bus. So a road tripping we went. Grandma was a trooper. 

Just a few days later, we were home for a game vs Glaciers - and Blake and Luke were the biggest fans. 

St. Nick squeezed in there for a few treats for the kids, and an ice cream advent calendar!

all the things

Lots of happenings in the last several days. Two trees are up and decorated finally. Some new additions on both. Piper living a rough life in her fleece jammies. Finished up the Turkey tourney weekend with a slew of fans at one point. Dad did the penalty box one game, and had quite a few visitors at one point. 

Pulled out the leggings/curly hair trick from Tiktok...hmm. 

Arrowhead loses to Lakeshore, but fun to see old friends from WEHL.

AND manages to earn the Turkey of the Game!!

Turkey tourney

We are in the thick of AHS girls hockey officially - hosted a Turkey tournament this weekend. And even had some fans - always nice when people are free around holidays. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Started our morning with our favorite people in one of our favorite places - hockey families in the rink. 

A quick adults vs kids game to start off the day. 

Row and Harper got to be adults due to the large number of kids on the ice. 

Then it was home to finish prepping to host the Blodgetts +Ed and Sue!

Was some cozy seating despite our huge table, but we all made it work!

1st Varsity Game

On the road again!

We headed to IL for Eddie's first game vs TI Saturday at noon. Papa and Dusty joined us too. 

Then Ed, Rowan and I headed home for her 1st Varsity game. 

Was a great Win for the ladies. 

Earlier in the week, Piper found some friends in the neighbors yard. 

So thankful for all of these fans that come to support both kids all the time!

hockey hockey hockey

Have to love home games when we don't have to divide and conquer. 

Anderson's coming through with the Bloody Mary bar!

Row and her favorite hockey mom's!

And an impromptu Sorkness basement visit -with pizza and pull tabs. 

and a Hockey Haven visit to be evaluated for a new stick. 

it's been a week

Ups and downs this week...

some Piper snuggles. 

Then Yukon woes - turns out we had a broken rim and needed an $$$$ fix. 

First band concert of the year - was a success. 

And same night as final team tryout for Rowan - excited to share she made Varsity!!

Bring on High School hockey!