Xander and Clare

Lots of exciting basketball for Xander and his D-Block teammates over the last couple of weekends. First they won a huge overtime battle in Seattle -- most exciting game I've seen them play yet -- and placed nicely in that tournament.

Jumping on Logan and celebrating after he landed a layup at the overtime buzzer to win the game!

We celebrated on the way home by stopping at Great State Burger in Seattle.

We spent the night before at Kate and Jessica's and met their new puppy Uma.

The kids had snow days on Monday and Tuesday.

Grammy Eve's annual Christmas bags full o' fun arrived!

Clare's basketball practice. She has an amazing coach. Clare is getting really good!

The only passable picture I could get at the all-school winter singalong assembly.

Afterward with Ben and Avery.

Last weekend's tournament was local, at Meridian High School. The boys played great on Saturday, winning both of their games.

Logan came home with us afterward to spend the night, so we celebrated a great day of basketball with a late lunch at MOD Pizza.

Sunday's game were even more exciting. Xander's teammate Cade was back after an injury that's kept him off the court all season -- and he hit a double overtime sudden-death basket in our second game of the day that took us to the championship.

We were able to head home between each of our three Sunday games, since the tournament was local. Always makes the weekend a bit easier.

Coach pays any player who takes a charge a dollar. X earned two of them this weekend. :)

Warming up for the championship game against Lynden's Iron Lyncs -- a tough team we've seen several times before but have never beat.

Whatcom HoopSlam 2016 6th Grade Champions!

Here's a mishmash of video from the tournament, plus the big celebration when Cade hit his sudden-death basket to take us to the championship, as well as the somewhat more subdued celebration at the end of it all, when we beat the Iron Lyncs handily by 56-41.

Getting their championship t-shirts.

D-Block 7th and 8th grade teams also went undefeated in the tournament and won their championships!

I organized 6th grade D-Block team party for that same night, which we held at Logan's house. The boys had a blast and so did the families.

Xander's Secret Santa spoiled him.

The D-Block boys all went to Monday's Squalicum High School game to watch the 7th grade D-Block team scrimmage against BBA at halftime.

I love that these two still build fantastic forts together.

It feels like it won't be long before Xander outgrows it, so I'm enjoying every minute.

Got some help this year with making peanut butter balls.

We also decorated ugly Christmas sweater cookies.

Delivering treats to the neighbors.

The last one up turns off the Christmas tree lights.

We woke up today to more snow!