Tonight a game of Risk is the center of activity. At this moment, Rory and Nicolai are combining forces against Kyle and Mario. Ural has just fallen. Earlier this evening I had a soccer match. My team was short handed so I called to see if Kyle would be interested in playing. All four boys showed up ready to play. Kyle was the only one large enough to play and did a very respectable job against an adult team. It is the first time we played on the same team. This has been a long time dream of mine. I look forward to doing the same with Nico and Maya.

Mario selected this photo for posting because he said his mother would like his “dreamy” eyes. Please note the cream cheese deposits from the bagel, which is being consumed chipmunk style (deposits in cheeks for later consumption).

It is 10 PM, and these boys are still eating. Rory is showing off the last bite of his bagel before polishing it off.

Kyle and Angela combine forces to put out the fire.

Jeanine prepared a peanut butter cheesecake for the occasion, and Maya helped place the candles. Yummy.

Dad finds great humor in the birthday card made by Maya.

Mom turned 76 yesterday, and models an ensemble she received as a gift.

Apparently, two sandwiches were not enough for Mario, who thought a frog would make a nice snack.

Dad and Mario could not be bothered with relaxation when there was the business of food to attend to.

Maya and Rachel are reclining comfortably while enjoying lunch. It seems to me that expressions of such contentment should be reserved for tired parents.

It was fun to watch the cousins at play. They did not miss an opportunity to share in the fun.

Not to be outdone, the adults took to the tree as well. My dad still can’t keep his hands off my mom. Photo by Nico.

Nicolai required no assistance going up but did accept help coming down. Not shown was the part in which he used the head of his older brother as a convenient height step.

Mario was the first to scamper up the tree and required the most coaxing to come down. The genetic monkey traits of his father at work no doubt.