Slippery Slopes

A full weekend indeed!  Sophia made a quick stop on Friday to say hello to Bob and Nancy.  She was in town to get a new computer after watering hers and they were in town to watch Grace's final basketball game of the year and her music ensemble. Thursday's bball game was cancelled due to nasty weather to the south preventing the opposing team from driving up for the game.  Bob and Nance were already on route but turned around and had a fun detour at the Riplinger bar that Walt/Dee used to own.  They made the trek back on Friday and spent the night with us.  Grace played for the SNC professor that gave her ensemble some tips on brass work and then it was tip off time on the hardwoods.  She easily defeated the other basketball team and now will shift gears and gear for Lacrosse.  Merrick filled the back of my stuff like he was heading off for a guys weekend, snowboards, ice fishing gear and golf clubs.  He spent Saturday on the ice, fishing and playing pond hockey.  For her part, Grace spent Saturday at the Snowball dance.  We started at the Stadium for pictures and then her and a gaggle of friends went out to dinner and then back to the high school for the dance. Sunday Grace, Merrick and one of Grace's friends all drove to the UP to downhill ski for the day.  The conditions were great in the morning but slowly clouded, cooled and iced up as the day went on.  Still a great day on the slopes.  Amy did send a text with the family tracking app that Grace was skiing too fast (37 mph)...funny stuff that technology.  But to be fair Grace does pretty much just point the skis down the hill and giver!  Merrick was getting some great air and is really graceful on his board, but no photos exist because I can barely ski let alone ski and play photographer at the same time.  The kids each racked up at least one good spill so we know they were pushing it the edge, but I stayed old and vertical all day.  Merrick needs his clubs today for the simulator golf league/early season prep work so we will rearrange the karate schedule a bit but still find time to fit everything in!

 

Another Month on the Books

A month has past since the last update and we have been consistently busy.  Grace's Bball season is coming to an end and they are heading into a possible first place finish.  She has been getting a ton of playing time and becoming something of a crowd favorite.  Merrick is still kicking away a few times a week in karate and now the simulator golf season has started up to starting getting the muscle memory back into his arms.  He also scored a second round of CoVid and had to quarantine in the basement surviving only on frozen pizzas and x-box...so pretty much living his best life.  He did have to cancel a snowboard trip but is heading out later this week to hit the UP snow again.  Ella is back from her amazing north/west quartersphere tour and back at school with the second semester ramping up.  We reminded her a few times to put her coat on, having grown unaccustomed to wearing one on her nearly months long cruise.  I drove her back to campus and we stocked up on some groceries that she has to 'cook' which will also be a change after constant meal service on the ship.  Sophia finished up her winter short term and went back to second semester courses a week before Ella.  She is toying with the idea of employment and we are heading down to see her next weekend.  Looking forward to the lunch place she has picked out for us and doing a little grocery shopping too.  Grandprize and Granda came over to catch a 'rain-check" game of Grace's, the initial trip being postponed due to Merrick getting the nasal swab double line.  It was a good game and a great weekend with some trash talk around the poker table.