A break in the monotony: Sophia, Avery, and Carson came over for a couple of hours. We played Ravine. Carson was in charge of passing out (or sending them flying across the table) the correct number of forage cards.

The madness card demanded a staring contest. The first person to laugh or talk lost one heart.

Rather than eating out in a restaurant to celebrate Justin’s new job, Supervising Construction Inspector 4 for the City of Sacramento, everyone came to my house for dinner.

After dinner, we played Ravine.

As Uncle Justin prepared for a thumb-wrestling contest with the player on his right, he had to sing everything he wanted to say to Sophia. It’s a terrible thing when you draw a Madness card.

A game on Monday.

On Wednesday, Sophia went to her first AAU basketball practice at St Francis.

Avery’s baseball practice started at the same time and, thankfully, was only 2 miles away.

In the game Ravine, if it’s time for a health check and you only have one heart, you must draw a Madness card. You might have to hug and not let go of the person on your right until someone else (me) helps you out (right after I take a picture).

Or have a thumb wrestling contest. The loser loses one heart.

The season is coming to an end. Sophia’s last practice:

Last game:

Avery’s last game:

Pretty much the first thing Avery and Carson ask for when they see Uncle Justin is to be lifted up to touch the ceiling.

Carson did the “hot dog roll” with a friend:

Avery made the shot:

Sophia:

Sophia and Avery came to my house this week after school. Perfectly cozy:

The nest with a very large tv screen:

The new card shuffler was a big hit:

We’ve been playing Cover Your Assets. I warned them I would been playing much more aggressively this time. It didn’t work, I lost again. Jelly beans lined up for consumption:

Because of snow in the northwest Terry didn’t actually arrive from Kelowna, British Columbia, until after midnight last Wednesday. We walked the 3 miles around the lake a couple of times and rode 17 miles to the end of Jack Rabbit Trail and back. That might have been a bit far for Terry’s first ride of the year.

Avery introduced Rusty the gecko to Terry. He also asked Terry, “Do you speak Canadian?” Answer, “I am speaking Canadian.”

On Friday, we made apple strudel and went to the TGIF at the Lodge.

Terry generously gave Sophia, Avery and Carson some Canadian money. Each of them has their own wallet:

After church on Sunday, we went out to Justin’s to visit:

We have a fun 5 days together, it went by fast. Thanks for coming, Terry!