Xander and Clare

Xander's birthday listed on the Gritworks bulletin board. 

Xander and his buddy Jay getting after it at Gritworks.

X made me this hug in elementary school and I love it so much.

Raring to go for her first basketball tourament!

First time in a BBA uniform.

Jump ball!

Trying out new basketball shoes.

Cathi was in town and came to the girls' volleyball game!

Michael and I dropped Clare off at basketball practice one night and then snuck in a quick date night at the nearby Belligham Cider Company.

These girls clawed their way to the championship game and although they didn't clinch the win, they did great and had a fantastic season.

Mandatory family walks often start off with a grumble, but everyone ends up having fun.

Running into friends at Village Books in the middle of our walk.

And even more friends -- and goats! -- at the end of our walk, back at Boulevard Park.

Michael got Clare a robe she's been wanting, and then promptly stole it from her.

His beloved Red Sox win the World Series. He visited Fenway Park for the first time this year and they won it all -- just like the Cubs in 2016, when X got to Wrigley. Coincidence? Or is X the ultimate lucky charm??

Clare heading out to school on Halloween. She took her costume with her to school, with plans to head downtown and to Fairhaven for trick-or-treating with her cul de sac crew, so this was my only opportunity for a photo before the night was in full swing.

Too much? The older kids loved our decorations, but a couple smaller ones skipped our house when the saw it. Boo!

We had strobe lights, which added to the spooky factor.

Clare and her buddies show up at our door -- that's her in the hot dog zombie costume!

X (left) and his buddies Bryan and Michael.

The boys across the street -- I suspect this is the last year X will go out.

Clare saying goodnight/goodbye to the first jack-o-lantern she's ever carved on her own.

My friend Joleen shared these photos of Clare out with her friends earlier in the evening.

She's got that relaxed weekend morning thing down flat.