Christmas Morning Surprise

Piano Recital

We had the annual piano recital yesterday afternoon and you can see how hard it was to get everyone to smile - or to smile normally - given the ages and pre-teen stages...

Today I will work on getting a few videos up of the kids playing their pieces.

Snow Day

We have blizzard conditions today and everyone is home from school. So the kids are making pizzelles. I think it's time to start a fire even though it's only noon. It has snowed at least 6-7 inches out there. Brrr!!

Finally this holiday song is relevant..

after hearing it 18 times a day this season.

Lila, can you fill in the blank? :)

"Let it _____, let it _____, let it ____!"

Christmas Dance at LCHS

Elizabeth went to a middle school Christmas Dance last night. She went to Kiara's house after school to get ready and her mom sent me this photo.

Holiday fun with friends

Last night while Elizabeth was at her dance, Hannah had two neighborhood friends over to decorate cookies and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. They had a great time. We're so sad that BOTH of these wonderful girls are moving north of town after the new year. :( We're seeing as much of Kendall and Ansley as we can before then.

Kendall, Hannah, Ansley

2015 Cookie Baking

We did our annual cookie baking at Mom's house over Thanksgiving weekend. Then Elizabeth and Hannah surprised me with a belated birthday lunch, complete with sandwich rolls, pasta salad, chocolate pudding pie, and an afternoon glass of wine. Not bad!

Grandparents Day at LCHS

Elizabeth and my parents at the Liberty Common High School Grandparents Day

Trimming the tree

2015-16 School Pictures

If you would like me to print some for you, just let me know what size photo.

1st grade, age 6

3rd grade, age 8

4th grade, age 10

7th grade, age 12

Birthday Tea Party

Hannah has been dying to take me to tea, so after school we went out to a new tea place near their school. I had "lady grey" ( no comments from the peanut gallery please), Kate got Cherry Blossom and the others had Sweet Pomegranate. All were tasty!

Space Derby 2015

Paul made this awesome rocket for tomorrow's Cub Scouts Space Derby. It's called Shark Attack! Look out!

"Praise the Lord my Soul"

Hannah sang the psalm at 7:30 mass this past Sunday. I got her doing verses 2 and 3. It was coincidence, but I was the first reader and Aaron was the 2nd reader, so we both met her in front of the altar before and after she sang. She did awesome. Fr. Steven complimented her before the closing prayer so everyone clapped.

Gymnastics Meet

Here are a few pictures from Hannah's meet last weekend. Another parent took a bunch of photos of all the girls and sent them around via snapfish. He got a great sequence of her bars routine.

Last minute tips from Coach Tariq

Chalked up and ready to go

This is the move she hates more than any other - on any event.
She has to fall forward, go around the bar and push hard to stay on the bar without falling.

3rd grade Cabbage

Last April Hannah's 3rd grade teacher gave out cabbage seeds and the kids were challenged to grow it over the summer. Hannah did grow hers and we harvested it today. Not bad!

At the park

waiting for Paul's flag football game to start. beautiful fall day!

Peach Festival 2015

Elizabeth and Hannah had a great time with Aaron flipping peach pancakes the morning of the Peach Festival Saturday morning. Paul, Kate and I met them for lunch later. It was a nice day and the event was well attended!

Hanging out with Uncle David and Aunt Beth

in Palo Alto

When they are bored in the hotel...

they make shapes after huffing on the mirror. Joy.

Half Dome

in the background. And then Kate slept for the second half of Yosemite...

Climbers

Hannah took this as we were driving. Not bad!

Goofs.

Lunch in Yosemite

and some exploring in streams. we saw many deer, a brown bear and elk.

First glimpse of Emerald Bay

Hiking in Tahoe

closing in on Carson City

for 2 nights. Long drive today, 9 hours or so. Passed Winemucca. Sure feels like we are in the middle of that Johnny Cash song ("I've been everywhere"). or at least by the end of the trip.

Lunch in Rock Springs WY

where the town is so small the streets are just named after letters of the alphabet and the local coffeehouse doesn't open til 7am!

Bon Voyage Lena

If I knew how to say that in German, I would. Lena stopped by for a quick goodbye on her way to the airport for her flight back to Germany.

Father's Day

We stopped by to see my Dad after Elizabeth's softball game today

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Flowers from our front yard

Mysterious Camp Activities

So we have had no contact with Elizabeth since Sunday, only the photos posted by the camp. Today some pictures posted that included her. Apparently there was a sale on paint. Each group is marked by a color, and Elizabeth's is yellow. They sure seem to be on a mission. Looking fwd to finding out what it was all about. Additional mystery activity with blindfolds at the end. Picking up the tired camper tomorrow.

She doesn't know it yet, but she's waking up at 6:30 am Saturday to play a triple header 30 minutes away. Maybe I'll tell her that after we drive down the mountain...

The red group. They look loud.