Revisiting a Favorite

Dungeon Mayhem was a game that we played a lot several years ago, but it caused a lot of crying (when one of the kids lost or felt they were being unfairly attacked), so we stopped. We tried it again on this trip, and it went better, with mostly just complaining and arguing.

Just biding our time until midnight. Currently watching Super pets, and planning to play some more games.

Checkers with Papa Ken

We stopped by Uncle Davey's beach cabin to visit Papa Ken and Bev. Jillian played against Papa Ken in a game of checkers ... she learned a few things in a draw.

Browsing Long Beach

Really late start to the day, with the kids sleeping in til 10 am. Didn't get out the door til 1:00, then drove to Long Beach to browse the shops.

The only purchase was some chocolates from the sweet shop ... and Mom found a circular mirror, and ended up buying it.

Ultimate Tennis Ball

We didn't have a frisbee or football, but Tor had brought a tennis ball with (of course ... he can't go anywhere without a ball). We had all of the sandy plains next to Poop River to ourselves where we set up our field. It was a tough game of boys vs. girls, and we ended up tied (and tired).

Ice Cream, Again

Our ice cream stop at Colleen's was partly a warm-up stop after a cold bike ride. We stayed for quite awhile. Jillian tried a peanut butter cup flavor (instead of cotton candy), and said it was OK.

Bike Tour

Slow start to the day, with kids rolling out of bed at 10 am. After breakfast sandwiches, and watching Open Season 2, we went for a bike ride around Ocean Park since it wasn't raining.

It got a bit cold, though, and Tor started wearing out, so we headed to Colleen's for ice cream.

UNO

It's game night, which wouldn't be complete without UNO. Mom won the first game, and Tor won the second game.

We've already played Sleeping Queens (Bridget won), Rat-a-tat-Cat (Bridget won again) and Exploding Minions (Dad won). Bridget is currently upstairs finding more games to play.

Two Scoops of Ice Cream

Thanks to their victory in Beat the Parents, the kids got 2 scoops of ice cream at Colleen's Coffee Shop (and they all chose the cotton candy flavor).

There is a comfortable sofa nook to relax in while waiting and eating ice cream, and drinking coffee.

Library Visit

Slow start to the second day, as everyone slept in. We didn't get out the door until after noon. It was miserably wet, so we drove to library. The kids found some good books, then lounged around with them.

Jillian checked out My Fine Fellow, Bridget checked out The Summer I Turned Pretty and an Archie comic, and Tor checked out Cat Kid Comic Club Collaborators.

Paws of Fury

Wind-down time at the cabin, watching Paws of Fury and eating popcorn.

Meanwhile, Mom scratched her Christmas lotto tickets (losing badly) and flipped through her trashy magazines.

Beat the Parents

That's pretty much what the kids did tonight ... they beat Mom and Dad in a trivia / challenge game where a wager is made at the beginning. The kids won an extra scoop of ice cream (while the parents lost the opportunity for an "early bedtime").

Non-stop Basketball

Tor couldn't handle not having a basketball hoop to play on at the beach cabin, so he taped up a mini hoop on the wall and practiced his "Ja Morant-game".

Card Games

We started with Oregon Trail, and didn't do too badly. Dad and Tor died from snake bites, and Jillian and Bridget died from dysentery.

Next we played Jillian's new game Ghosted, which is very similar to Clue, but plays quicker. Bridget ended up winning. We all agreed it was a very fun game!

That was followed by a girls vs. boys game of It's in the Bag, which did not go well for the boys.

Game time was paused for dinner: pigs in blankets and chicken noodle soup (Bridget just had new Ortho work done, so the food needed to be soft and easy to eat).

Okie's Ice Cream

Colleen's Coffee Shop was closed today, so we went to Okie's to pick up our post-beach ice cream. It was too wet on the deck for a sitting photo:

December Beach Trip

We've been looking forward to going to the beach for months, to get away and relax. It's especially difficult to find the time now due to all the activities (volleyball, basketball and horses). Unfortunately, this trip got a little delayed due to the power going out in Ocean Park last night - we decided to wait until this morning to leave. When we arrived, it was clear and sunny, so we headed right for the beach.

Not too windy or cold, so we were able to stay a while. Mom threw a ball to Tor to help him expend some energy.

The kids tried to see how close they could get to a big bald eagle sitting on a stick in the dunes ... before it flew off.

Robotic Quarterback

As soon as we arrived at the beach, Tor's first order of business was to play with his new Robotic Quarterback game that he received for Christmas. First, he selects the route (how far and which direction the ball is thrown), then he has to pump it up:

At the highest pressure, it shoots the ball up to 25 yards.

Ping Pong Nights

Ping pong has taken over our household as the go-to activity, even more so than video games, reading or watching TV. The kids like to play a "winner stays" game, similar to four square at school. They are getting pretty good at it, and will take on all challengers.

Skamakowa in Winter

Papa Ken took Tor, Andy and Adam down to the Skamakowa property to inspect the past summer's work. All of the leaves had fallen, and the grasses had laid down, so we could see quite a ways in all directions. The water was also really high and muddy.

Afterwards, we went to Patty Cakes in Cathlamet, a small coffee shop and restaurant. It was really good, as shown by all the thumbs-up!

Late Night Ping-Pong

Tor received a table-top ping pong game for Christmas, and the kids wanted to try it (they'd never really played ping pong before). After setting it up on the small table, and some quick lessons from Dad, they found that they loved it, and played it for most of the evening:

Christmas at Papa Ken & Bev's

We arrived at Papa Ken & Bev's at just before 4:00 pm, in time to dig into a huge dinner of ham, potatoes, salad and much more. The presents continued to be given, and the kids continued to gladly receive them. Here's the grandkids, traditionally posing in front of the mantle:

And Papa's kids all together once more:

Bev set up an exciting mug game (prizes under all mugs except one, which has a raw egg for breaking on the head of the unlucky one). The kids played it ... and surprise, no egg! Here's Tor with a winning mug:

Christmas at Grannie and Papa Bob's

We arrived in Castle Rock at 12:00 pm, just in time to hang out with Tierney and Jared before they had to leave. The kids had a bit of lunch (chili) before opening presents with the family, and Cookie joining in the fun.

Once again, we had some quality Kennedy time:

It was a fun and relaxing time seeing everyone, and we rested up for a bit afterwards.

Christmas at Grandma Cindy & Hal's

We arrived at Grandma Cindy & Hal's at 8:00 am for a big breakfast of French toast, bacon and sausage casserole. The kids checked out Hal's inflatable display in the backyard for a moment, due to rain.

The kids looked for their ornament, hidden on the tree ... Bridget found her snowflake first, followed by Tor and his tractor, and Jillian and her star.

The kids received many nice gifts from everyone. It was a very nice time for all. Here's Grandma Cindy and her grandkids:

Mom and Aunt Dany posted for a Christmas photo that they've had taken since they were 12 years old.

Christmas Morning at Home

Dad woke Bridget and Tor up at 6:45 am and had them crawl into Jillian's bed to rouse her. It was hard, but they sleepily made their way out to see what Santa had left them.

Some highlights: Bridget got a barn jacket and Bear Paw b, Tor got a glowing basketball, Jillian got a jacket.

The Night Before Christmas

It's tradition that Dad reads The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve before the kids go to bed for the night. The only thing that is not always agreed on is which book to read (we have 3 or 4 differently illustrated books).

Prepping for Santa's Visit

Wearing their new Grinch pajamas that Grannie gifted them tonight, the kids put out milk, cookies and celery for Santa.

Santa Claus

Santa came to the Uhlenkott house to deliver presents to all the kids.

Christmas Eve Party with the Cousins

It was a jam-packed Christmas Eve party in Castle Rock, with lots of cousins, young and old, to play with. Aunt Dianne organized a Seran Wrap Ball Game that they played with Ava and Harper, and it was both fun and intense.

We got to see Josie Jean, and Tor played some football with her.

Both Mom and Dad got to hold Kennedy a bunch, and though not shown here, she was pretty alert all night.

For the big white elephant gift exchange, Mom came away with a Starbucks gift card.

Minecraft Christmas Eve

The kids created a Christmas Eve 2022 Minecraft World: Bridget made the Grinch's sleigh on Mt. Crumpet (upper right), Tor made a house (upper left), and Jillian made Santa's Workshop (not shown ... she was at the Grinch's body that Bridget made for the pic in the lower left):

Sibling Gift Exchange

Continuing their tradition, the kids bought, wrapped, and placed presents under their tiny Christmas tree for each other. They opened them just prior to the big Christmas Eve party.

Secret Santa

Our kids got together with the neighbor kids (Hazel and Ila) to do a Secret Santa gift exchange. They drew for names a while back, and opened their gifts this afternoon.

They also received Christmas ornaments from The Sharps (a volleyball for Jillian, a football for Tor, and a horse for Bridget).

Christmas Eve Service

With Christmas on a Sunday, Grace Lutheran had their Christmas Eve Service in the afternoon, complete with the Christmas story and many songs, including "Silent Night" shown here.

Jillian and Bridget helped Pastor Eli with the candle lighting, bringing the candle light to each aisle.