Oh my! It's been 4 months...

It's incredible how time flies during the school year. Finally, we revel in this holiday break and have a chance to slow down and breathe, and update our blog!

A lot has happened in four months. Birthdays, science project, Halloween, Thanksgiving, YW in Excellence, piano recital, school concert and Christmas are at the top of the list.

Following are a few photo highlights:

A rare October snow storm

Our 11 year old Boy Scout!

A very spooky Halloween

Christmas kids

YW in Excellence

Webelos badge and bridge ceremony

Our 14 yr. old who can now go to church dances!

Birthday Dad!

Holiday piano recital

Jazz band concert

Our cozy Christmas room :)

Summer's End

It's incredible to think that our summer has come to an end, but with school starting tomorrow, reality has set in and we are prepared to get back into our school year routine. A few photographic highlights of our recent trip to Ohiopyle, PA can be perused below, including some of our trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, the Laurel Caverns, the art of s'mores after a rain storm, and an 11.5 mile whitewater rafting trip down the middle Youghiogheny.

We gained a greater appreciation for nature, as well as for the talent of Frank Lloyd Wright, who was not only a masterful architect, but also a gifted structural engineer and interior designer.

Summer, Part 1

Busy, fun and enriching! With our Summer over half over, it's time to share our first "Reader's Digest" style update.

J. enjoyed Spring soccer this year and did a fabulous job with defense:

Both kids contributed to a fabulous piano recital:

Our garden turned into a jungle, and we were blessed with more produce than we could possibly eat, so we shared with the neighborhood (and continue to do so):
Lady M. had a fantastic time at Young Women's camp:
J. enjoyed time with friends at the pool:
The boys traveled to Williamsburg for July 4th:
Grandma returned with them for a visit:

The family spent a morning on Black Hills Lake:


Mom and kids enjoyed an evening at the local carnival:

The Infant Paganini

Little Red In Da Hood

In addition to acting, these amazing 7th graders wrote, produced and directed their play!! Of course, we're very proud of our defense attorney :)

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, February 25

Yes, our family is skipping right over all of the additional snow days and even Valentines Day to highlight the REAL event this February! J's third and final Pinewood Derby car won fastest in his pack, earning him a trip on to the "Super Derby" to compete against the fastest cars in other Cub Scout packs throughout our region. The excitement in our house following the victory was palatable :)

Snow Day!

It's our first snow day of the season, and boy are we excited! 4" was more than forecasted and the kids are enjoying every bit of it :)

Since my schedule has cleared for the day, I also have time to post a quick update. We all had a very blessed Christmas, the best part being the gift of time together. The New Year has been joyous thus far. I am currently taking an online science class through BYU-I and am thoroughly enjoying it. Both kids continue piano. J is preparing for soccer in the Spring, and M is in a writing club at school and is also taking art lessons. She's decided to become an architect and is working towards that goal by focusing on her math and artwork. Marc has been traveling a lot, attending meetings and giving talks all over the world; but we are thrilled to have him home with us at present. In short, life is good and we are grateful for our blessings!