Basketball is life, or it takes a lot of time out of life

Take a deep breath, its President's weekend.
As of today, two are finished with basketball season, my coaching career has hopefully officially ended, and we all were home for a few hours at the same time this weekend!

Since last update, Anika turned 17.... how is that possible... and this past Friday we accomplished our first campus visit day (at Calvin). I more or less forced her to choose any college to just visit, just to get an idea of what it was, so to Calvin we went. We have around 4 more planned, and considering costs of college, I'm not sure any of them are possible, but time will tell. It was a great day and we both learned a bunch.

For her birthday, Grandpa and Grandma gave her Oreos and French Horn books, we gave her new basketball shoes and a school sweatshirt, and Papa and Mimi gave her the full set of Psyche DVDs. Needless to say, they all are glued to the TV.

My parents came for a few days and got to see all four participate in something. Anika in basketball.

Jessica was in Honors Band - and they celebrated her birthday with new clothes and swiss cake rolls.

Brandon played basketball

And Maria played basketball.

She also received a 'present' from a teammate.

It got pretty ugly. This Wednesday will be two weeks and it is still green. Pictures don't do it justice.

Many people thought she was wearing make up on one eye.

On Friday night, Anika's team clinched the conference championship. In Michigan, you are allowed to play in 20 games in a basketball season. If she didn't get to play in the varsity game, it allowed her to play in a JV game, so she has played for both teams this season to get to her 20 games.

One night a few weeks ago, we all met Aunt Kathy and Mary in Grand Rapids to attend the Grand Rapids Symphony. Some of Anika and Brandon's band class also attended as the symphony played a song (Planets) their band had played at a concert earlier this year.

We had LOTS of snow between Christmas and New Years - as in several inches, every day. Most of it melted, but then it all snowed back again. This week is supposed to be in the 40's all week and the days are getting longer!

While we had the snow, we dog sat our friends two labs. They make ok sled dogs.

Matt and I attended the West Michigan Symphony when those same friends were unable to attend. The night featured a french horn soloist.... wow.

Yesterday, Aunt Kathy, Mary, Holly, Matt and I went to Grand Haven to walk on water, or frozen water anyway. And we stopped at Great Harvest bread for samples and scones - raspberry cream cheese is amazing!

There weren't big chunks like there were a few years ago, but lots of shard layers about an inch thick. We decided it looked like shale, only in ice form.

Christmas break means puzzles at this house. People here are a bit obsessed. Our neighbor is also obsessed, so she goes and buys the puzzles, then when she is finished, we borrow them. I lost count of how many puzzle were completed, but at least 5. The table is now a sewing table where Anika just completed sewing her prom dress. Its amazing. Pics of that to come later.

When Grandpa and Grandma were here, we opened stockings - always fun things to find!

And if that wasn't enough for a month and half or so, I coached Jessica's 7th grade basketball team. I realized AFTER the last game I hadn't taken one picture of her playing, or of the team. I am still hoping we can get a team picture, but we shall see. They only won 3 games, but they played hard.

She also participated in Solo and Ensemble with a classmate, Cate. They performed two duets and did a great job. They earned a 1, which is the highest rating. Jessica and Brandon both think band needs to be left behind and choir is the way to go. We shall see.

And, for the next few days, we stay close to the TV. We all love the Olympics and there just isn't enough time to soak it all up.

Maria is famous

I realize I haven't posted in awhile.
I have lots of pictures and things to say, just no time to take care of it.

All four are in basketball, I am coaching Jessica's team, and we run around all day and night!

For now, Maria is famous. Check out the school blog:

https://mchristianschool.com/blog/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I am a self proclaimed Grinch.
I hate Christmas and all the busy -ness and the running around and the crazy.
But I love Christmas music, and lights and snow. I love finding a good gift and giving it to someone - and I am a horrible gift giver, so its all that much better.
I figured out this year, what I really hate is Thanksgiving day to about Dec 20 or so, then it all calms down a bit. There are still some things I hate, like traveling, but overall it has been a great few weeks.
The Christmas Collage is the high school's Christmas concert. It is one of our first memories after moving here. Most years we love it, there have been a few years we were less than impressed, but this year it was really great again. Anika was part of a brass quintet and Brandon was in a drumline - as well as the band. Anika plays the French Horn and Brandon is in percussion.

Christmas Day we bake and decorate Christmas Cookies after opening stockings. I completely forgot to take a picture of stockings. The main present was ski goggles as we are taking the kids skiing in Colorado for spring break.

Then off to our friends, Mike and Connie, for an incredible Christmas Day. We had prime rib, rice, strawberry pretzel jello, and quite possibly the best  meal ever!

The kiddos opened up their pajamas - and they are so thick and warm, they love them - thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

owl, minion, gorilla, pig

The next day we hopped in the van and drove through snow to Illinois. We spent time with much of Matt's family and took in a little bowling!

And then we pack up Christmas so we start celebrating birthdays - first Carla, then Jessica and soon Anika.

Matt and I went out for supper to Red Lobster and then ran errands - nothing exciting, but it was another birthday!

And then, our bright eyed 13 year old woke up and opened her new cow pajamas. Jessica always has a song and an opinion. She doesn't like piano lessons or band, loves choir, and in general is trying to figure out life as a middle schooler, which always has its challenges.

She chose meat loaf, mashed potatoes and skinny beans for her lunch; doughnuts for breakfast and snickers ice cream bars for her treat! We love you little girl!

We also bought a new, expensive two stage snow blower last week. It just keeps snowing here. We've had over 20 inches in just a week.  Needless to say, the blower is getting lots of use! The trees look like postcards, the roads, not so much. We are thankful Anika's blueberry is all wheel drive.

Brandon went with some kids from school to a retreat in Kansas City, Missouri. He just came home today and had a great time. It was called OneThing!

Another week at the Eburg house

Christmas Banquet 2018 is in the books.
One of Anika's favorite things to do is go to Goodwill and find the biggest, craziest shoes and wear them. Typically she just wears them around the store, puts them back after she's finished shopping and goes home.  This pair, we purchased and she wore!  She was quite excited to be taller than Brandon again!
Brandon went with a whole group of freshman and Anika went with a few friends. They took pictures at different houses, then the girls came to our house for a quick supper before heading to the dance.

We have had several Christmas concerts - including Jessica and Maria's:

Both were in both band and choir and for Jessica that meant going back and forth every other song between the two.  She's not too happy with me!

Maria was quite excited to play the bells for Jingle Bells.

Maria's 5th grade team won the championship on Saturday. It was a bit crazy but we got there. They were quite excited. She is #2 and is a good little player. We score many points off the steals she gathers up.

She also just started indoor with her team. Again, I hate the crazy, but she really likes it. She is the one in orange.

Christmas is coming

Soccer and volleyball have ended and basketball is well underway here.
I don't have any pictures of basketball yet, but there has been plenty of action.
I am coaching Maria's 5th grade team and even though it is painful at times, it is very entertaining. Many on the team walked into the gym not knowing the difference between offense and defense and knowing very few of the rules. We've come a long way. Maria is a great little point guard and can handle the ball quite well.  We score often off a pick to her and a layup.
Brandon is playing for the freshman team and Anika is on the varsity. Jessica starts in January and I am coaching her team as well. I am quite sure this will be my last year coaching. Younger people with more energy than I need to take this over!
A few pics from the past weeks:

 This is the 11th grade powder puff team. They only had these 5 girls show up! Our high school has kids from all over, and one of the girls that signed up lived 45 minutes away and couldn't get a ride home, so she had to leave, another girl was sick, and another girl was gone - so they played with the five of them.  They beat the freshman but lost to the sophomores.  She always has fun and these are some of her best friends.

Her group of friends also went to the fall dance as Snow White and the seven dwarves - so fun!

This is the varsity girls basketball team!

This is a 'punishement' Thanksgiving weekend. They had sat in the house on screens for far too long so they were banished to outside. They decided to play croquet.  I made cookies!

I took the kids to Les Miserables in Grand Rapids. I was afraid they would think it was a let down after Wicked, but they loved it. Brandon wasn't as impressed, but they all enjoyed it!

This is Brandon's wood shop project. Its a jewelry organizer. If someone wants it, let me know. We are trying to figure out what to do with it!

Tonight, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Mary, Holly and I went to Lessons and Carols at LaGrave church. Such a beautiful church. We identified the stories portrayed with stained glass and enjoyed organ, instruments, piano and voices. Over 500 people singing O Come all Ye Faithful is quite amazing.

And with an amazing Thanksgiving day spent at our friends, we got to enjoy another gorgeous sunset!