First of all, cousin Leo was on the opposing team. Leo is quite the energetic player and a prolific shot taker.

Sophia was deciding who (eventually) should receive the ball. Grandma was so glad the (giant of a) boy assigned to guard her stood far away.

At each break in the action, Avery headed out to the court for his own practice session.

The young people are neighbors of Thais and Lenin; they have a younger brother who also goes to St Ignatius.

Good sit-ability.

Some indoor soccer for Sophia

and a little nap for Avery.

Team meeting after the game. Note the stars on the sleeves of the players’ shirts. Everyone gets a star, but different colors for different achievements. Today Grandma gave her own Super Star Award to Sophia for excellent guarding skills (not evident in the pictures above), winning the stare-down contest with the much-bigger fierce-looking boy she was guarding while they waited for play to resume, and for making her FIRST basket. Play like a girl!

There was some parental coaching this past week and another look at the Superbowl commercial for “play like a girl.” I could really see a difference in how Sophia played this week. Black jersey this week, Sophia is #15.


When in doubt, look for the bright pink tennis shoes.

In between quarters, Avery practiced his dribbling. He’s really good.

Checking out the sit-ability of Mom’s foot.

Sophia plays for St Ignatius. All games take place at Fremont Presbyterian near Sac State. Sophia #15, gold jersey at far right. The only girl on the team.

She’s got the ball!

Santa was good to Justin. This is an Outlaw Cart, built for a child but soon to be modified to carry Justin around a neighborhood dirt track. A future blog post for sure. Tom in Alabama: Justin said you’re definitely invited to come and take it for a spin.

Avery likes to check out the sit-ability of things. Chairs. Well, of course.

Bike racks. Yes, no problem.

A drain pipe in a flower bed at Uncle Justin’s. Easy.

Even a stick will work.

Thank you Justin for driving!

Warming up.

At first Glenn said no we shouldn’t go to an NHL game, it was a bit of an expense. After all, back in Regina he could easily go to a pro hockey game and would only have to drive about 500 miles. It was easy to talk him out of that logic. It’s just 150 miles from E Nicolaus to San Jose. And we had total fun!

The Sharks won!

Cynthia, Phyllis, and Carol:

Later in the afternoon, Justin, Glenn and I went to dinner at Dave and Phyl’s house. Dave, Sharon and family:

Carolyn, Corey, and Mary:

Glenn and Chuck:

Jerry and Justin:

Master carver Dave:

Chris, Mary, Greg:

Each year, Carol gives to family about 30 different paintings as Christmas gifts. Each one is different and wrapped. Everyone was excited to see which penguin they got. Carol searches for ideas all year and begins painting during the summer. The images also become her Christmas cards.