It was the last week of school before Christmas break. My mom and dad left Monday morning. I've missed them ever since! But we were so glad for their visit and were so glad they came.

We had no basketball games to attend this week but Cali and Chey had practice Monday through Thursday. They've both been sick: coughing, runny noses, sore throats, the whole miserable deal. Then they've had practices, and on top of all that, intense homework projects that keep them working at the kitchen counter every moment they're home until after the rest of us go to bed. They're both up early, too, doing more homework or practicing piano. I don't know where they get their drive but I admire it and really hope they get better soon so I believe they won't die from it all. Christmas break is much needed as well as the extra love they've been getting from having Megan and Mariah home.

Megan and Mariah haven't been sitting around either! Mariah went to work with Kevin a few days this week to help him with a data entry project they have at work and Megan got to put in a few days back at Funfinity helping with Christmas time busyness at her favorite toy store. They've both been able to do some fun stuff reconnecting with old friends, too. When work and friends and family aren't available, Mariah has been reading and Megan has been dusting off her violin and mandolin skills. They also help me around the house. It's lovely to have them both here.

Savannah had her last week of finals this week. They seemed to swallow her whole! But when the last question was answered, she took herself straight to the movie theatre to see the last Star Wars with a group of her friends. Beautiful light at the end of the tunnel!

Sarah has been gone all week on her honeymoon and went to Arizona on Friday for her mother-in-law's funeral. She will drive home today. We are all looking forward to seeing her again and watching her open her wedding presents.

Beth and Ben finished up their last week of school for the DECADE as they like to say. I don't think they have been working as hard as Cali and Chey but next DECADE we will start working harder.

Kevin B. Skinner turned 50 years old on Saturday. He's seen a lot of decades! I'm so glad that he's spent half of them with me! What a lucky girl am I. To celebrate, we went out with some friends and had a "You're-still-a-manly-man-at-50 Night." We went out for Chinese food and watched him wow all the workers with his Mandarin. Then we went to the batting cages for an hour and then to the mall for some axe throwing. I was even feeling like a manly-man by the end. Anyway, we had a great time and it was fun celebrating his birthday! On Saturday, we went out with all our kids (except Sarah) to see the Star Wars movie. That was pretty meaningful, too, since he saw the first one when he was nine! He's been watching those throughout his decades. We all love that crazy-good man and hope to keep partying with him for decades to come!