Christmas 2008 Part 2

Here are some various pics from Christmas Day.

It was sooooo warm here - around 65 degrees with the sun shining! The kids actually ate outside on the screened in porch. We even played some bball!

(Mafffoooo and Sophers)

(Guitar Hero imitation!)

(Matthew going in for the swish in a game of HORSE)

(Matthew and Costa goofing off while opening presents)


(me, my sister Cynthia and my brother Jeff)

(Costa shooting a few with Matthew in HORSE. The girl has some skillz!!)

(Chip Shot declared no more puzzle!)

Christmas 2008

My Mom and sister, Cynthia have been here all week. We have cooked and baked up a storm every day. Thankfully today is a little more low key. I will make Turkey and Dumplings. That seems to be a favorite the day after Christmas. Mmmmmm.

Each year we try to save one of Nathan and Matthew's gifts for the scavenger hunt. Here are a few pics from this year's hunt. They are getting older so we thought we would make the clues a little harder. Thanks Cynthia for help in creating the clues.

(First clue was right in front of them on the desk but they could not see it...they needed some help. You are cold..your are hot..you are red hot!)

(Clue in bird book....amazing. I did not realize I had so many bird books in the house!)


(Clue in Nathan's guitar case...)

(Clue high up on the basketball goal.)

(Yes, even a clue in the Bagel Bites!)

(The presents were in Chip Shot's new sleeping spot...under the plastic grocery bags.)

Nathan got two Xbox games and Matthew got an iPod.

Braces!!!!

Matthew has been wanting braces for a LONG time. Probably since Nathan got his. The day has finally come. He practically insisted on getting them over the school holidays!

BEFORE

AFTER

He is such a goof ball!

He is doing okay at the moment but we have Tylenol and Ambesol on standby. No doubt Mister Nathan will be dogging him a bit this week.

Game #4 vs. Granard

Carver 42 - Granard 55

Oh well. Carver is now 1 and 3. I do believe, however, this was their best played game yet. Granard had boys nearly a foot taller than Matthew. These boys are 7th and 8th graders. I am not sure but I am thinking Gaffney has some super vitamins in their water or something.

Matthew had an outstanding game despite the loss. He was brought in late 1st quarter, played all of 2nd and part of 3rd. It was a very aggressively played game with some lousy refs. Matthew played hard and had no fear of the taller boys.

You may not believe me but the team's score throughout the game was pretty good until 4th and then Granard pulled ahead. Well actually....I do have a little proof. It was 23-29 (Granard) in the 3rd quarter then soon thereafter he was taken out for rest of game. I think Matthew should have stayed in! Of course there is NO BIAS here! lol

A little action shot...

Game #3 vs. Whitlock

Woo hoo! Wildcats beat Whitlock 39-12!! First win of the season.

Matthew's team had a great night. They were definitely a different team compared to the last two weeks of play. Matthew got to play a good bit in 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters and scored two points on free throws. The boy knows how to swish the ball.

He has his bud, Zach, had a great game. Not sure if you could tell by this post game pic! ; )

Games and Government

Matthew's team did not fair so well on Thursday against McCracken. I did not note the final score as the game was pretty frustrating. I believe it was 23-47. Matthew played only a couple of minutes in the 3rd quarter. I know it was frustrating for him to sit on the bench watching his teammates continue to do terrible passes again and again. Oh well, next week is a new week of games.

Nathan got home from Youth In Government yesterday afternoon. He had a great time meeting new friends and seeing old ones. His Bill, however, did not pass but he enjoyed doing other presentations. Evidently students could choose to stand up when a bill was read to do an argument for or against the bill. Nice to have him home.

Matthew was supposed to go on this same trip but a week before the trip he decided he would rather played in the McCracken game than go to Columbia. Interestingly enough Matthew's Bill was given the Most Outstanding Award. His Bill was to have tougher penalties and fines for parents that do not buckle up their children. Matthew wishes he would have gone now rather than sit on the bench. He is definitely learning. : )

Update

Matthew's basketball team played Ewing Tuesday night in Gaffney. Lost 35-51. They started out strong in the 1st quarter but the other team simply shot more shots and were off the boards waaaay better than our boys.

Matthew played a little bit of 3rd and 4th quarters. Coach brought him in again to be the 3 point shooter. Matthew has amazing calm on the court. He hit a beautful 3 pointer. SWISH!

Next game is tonight against McCracken on our home court. Matthew is excited to play them as he knows some of these kids from church league the past two years.

Nathan left for Columbia Wednesday afternoon for Youth in Government. He will present a bill he wrote to the Youth Congress. His bill is for allowing kids to use their mp3 players during tests and exams to allow them to focus more on the test. Interesting concept. Music personally helps me focus but not sure that teachers would appreciate their kids tuning it up in class.