December Catch-Up

December was a crazy month.  So much happened and I want to capture it all here... for our family and friends, and for Bradyn (when/if she ever reads this).  I'll try to keep the commentary brief but be prepared... a LOT happened.  LOL

Bradyn decided to compete in another Jiu Jitsu submission tournament in December.  As an early Christmas present, Kevin ordered a special package that arrived just in the nick of time.  A new Gi (and a VERY cool one at that).

Figuring out where we'd get her West Coast Martial Arts patch sewn on.

Anyone who knows me knows that my usual rule is no Christmas decorations before my birthday (December 8).  With so much on the calendar this year, I broke my rule and Bradyn and I set up the tree on December 5.  But only the tree.  Sadly, everything else waited until the week before Christmas.

Harper helped too.

Ta-da!

Our tree wouldn't be complete without Skater Boy.

Breakfast of champions on Sunday December 6 - tournament day.

Looking fierce.

Warming up with Liam.  She was determined to kick his butt in this tournament.  Unfortunately, Liam was in a different age group this time.  

Team warm-up with Quinn.

Hearing all the rules.

All competitors warming up together.

Match #1 in Gi division.  Bradyn fought really hard in this division but didn't secure any wins this time.  Like last time though, she held her head high and enjoyed every minute. 

When the boys started matches in the No-Gi division, we quickly realized that Bradyn's name had been missed.  Bradyn was the only girl that had signed up for the No-Gi division and the group was 8 - 12 year olds.  (For the Gi division Bradyn was only with 9-year olds.)  They quickly worked Bradyn into the round-robin and while she didn't win any matches, she held her own pretty well.  I was particularly proud when 2 of the boys' dads commenting how well she was doing and after one particular match (with the boy in the green shorts that won silver) Roman's dad declared "that was a great match - she did well!".  Although Bradyn's gold medal clearly wasn't a result of dominating her group, she worked really hard and we were all over the moon with excitement when they awarded her with it.

Roman was so kind to Bradyn and proudly shared the podium with her.  

Carlos won a bronze medal last tournament - this time his sister won a silver.  So proud of the two girls.

Standing proud with Coach Quinn.

After the tournament, Bradyn decided she wanted to start doing more kickboxing training.  I was ALL over that!  There is nothing more satisfying than the loud 'thwack' sound when you hit the sweet spot of a kick pad.

Back in Jiu Jitsu training, Bradyn earned another red stripe.  

One Saturday morning Bradyn was running around the house and then disappeared.  After a while, I went down to the basement and found she had pulled out my step.  She was exercising because she wanted to get 'stronger' for Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing.

On Sunday December 21, Bradyn and I headed to the Vancouver Winter Wonderland.  A bit disappointing, but we had fun.  Love Bradyn's smile here.

More punching.  :-)

Gingerbread house that Bradyn made at school.

My happy little elf on December 23.

I finally convinced Bradyn to go see Santa on Christmas Eve.  Yes, dumb plan.  During the hour + wait, Bradyn wandered to a store close by with her iPod so we could keep in touch.  She sent me this selfie. LOVE it.

Worth the wait.

After lunch, Bradyn went out to play in the little bit of snow we had, while it lasted.

After supper we Skyped with Sherri, Jason, Kiera and Robee, Nana and Poppa.  The kids opened their traditional 'Christmas Eve present from Aunt B' (i.e. they got their Christmas PJs).  After last year's score with 3 pairs of matching PJs, I just had to do it again.  Even got the picture to commemorate it.

Christmas morning score. (No, it's not all for Bradyn.)

After supper, Dallas and Ita serenaded us on the ukuleles they bought in Kauai.  (poor Dallas had a horrible cough, hence the mask.  Don't tell him I posted this picture - I don't think he'd be too happy.)

Another gingerbread house - this one made with Diana.

We finally got out to see all the local Christmas lights a few days after Christmas.  This place was AWESOME.

We didn't get snowshoeing yet, but we did go skating with Maya at the Port Moody recreation centre.  I haven't been on skates in years.  I was as wobbly as the girls, but it came back to me pretty quickly.

Bradyn was determined to ring in the New Year with me.  4 minutes before midnight she closed her eyes.  She says she didn't fall asleep, but her snoring gave her away.  I woke her up with 30 seconds to go.

Good-bye 2015.  Hello 2016.