Pink in the Rink

This weekend, the Muskies participated in Pink in the Rink in Grand Rapids. It is hosted by the Sparta high school hockey team and has been taking place for 20+ years. They invite 3 high school hockey teams to play and raise money to support a local child battling cancer. The teams wear pink jerseys, each player plays in honor of someone that has had cancer, currently has had cancer, or in memory of someone that had cancer. Will skated for Aunt Mara.  They also had raffles for gift baskets, 50/50 raffles, and other fundraisers. It was a really nice event. We played Sparta on Friday evening and lost 5-3 (last goal was empty net). Then we won 8-1 against the Eagles on Saturday and Will had a goal. 

Howell Bullseye

Alex had an archery tournament in Howell Saturday afternoon. He had to miss a hockey game but he shot a personal record of 262 so it was worth it!

Birthday Fun

Alex had a few friends over for a birthday sleepover.  They played glow in the dark capture the flag outside, basement games, and a lot of video games.  They had a lot of fun!

 

Happy 14th Birthday, Alex!

We had fun celebrating Alex during the day. He woke up to streamers and a giant "14" balloon outside his door.  Then he went downstairs to open a few gifts.  His big gift from us was a new gaming chair for his computer.  It even has a massage pillow.  We went to Red Robin for lunch and then just spent time at home while we waited for Alex's friends to come over for a birthday sleepover.

 

Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year with some hockey families. There was poker, pool, mini sticks, and foosball plus a lot of delicious apps and desserts.

 

Boyne

On the 27th, we left early in the morning to head north so the boys could ski for a few days. We decided to try Boyne Highlands the first day so we drove straight there and dropped the boys off. Then Phil and I went into Petoskey for lunch at Roast and Toast and shopping. Then we went to Boyne Mountain Resort and checked in to our room in Chalet Edelweiss. Our first two years at Boyne we stayed in the clock tower but tried the Chalets last year and loved them. The rooms are great and there are nice perks including hot chocolate and tea available all day, s'mores at night, a cocktail hour with charcuterie, breakfast pastries, and ski-in/ski-out for the boys.  We picked the boys up around 8pm and stopped for dinner at Park City Grille in Petoskey.  On Sunday, the boys skied at Boyne Mountain.  Unfortunately, Disciples 8 lift was down so about half of the 65 runs were closed.  One of Will's friends was in town skiing and Alex had water park tickets so they both had a great time anyway.  In the evening, we ordered pizza from the Trophy Room and ate in one of the common areas while playing Cribbage.  On Monday, the winds were very high (gusts over 50 mph).  The boys only got a few runs in before the lifts were shut down.  They thought they might open back up mid afternoon, but we decided to get on the road.  It sounds like we will be comped two lift tickets for another day this season so we may try to head back up.  The ride home was pretty slow going due to blowing snow and road conditions.  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! The boys got up at 6:45 and we enjoyed cinnamon rolls and bacon before starting on our stockings. We took our time and paused in opening to play our two new games: washers and cribbage. Grandma came down for Christmas lunch and more gifts. Later in the afternoon, we played more games and watched The Grinch.