Thirteen

Wow! We have a teenager in the house! It's hard to believe that our Starfish is turning thirteen already. Where did all the time go? It feels like she has always here, and that we haven't had her very long--all at the same time!

We have so many wonderful memories and so many plans for more!

Ahh, to be thirteen! New experiences (babysitting, your first PG-13 movie - yikes!), new opportunities and responsibilities, making your own choices, thinking about what you'd like to be when you grow up. So many exciting possibilities !

You are so fun, so smart, so great!
We love you!

Party in the House!

Birthday season is in full swing around here - but we were a little partied-out on poor Orca's big day. It's hard to have your birthday right after Christmas! I can't believe she's nine already! Happy Birthday O!

iScream

Argghh! Couldn't somebody have gotten a different flavor so I could have a taste? I just don't DO Mint Chocolate Chip!

Birds of a Feather

Here's what we learned at the Busch Garden bird sanctuary: These birds ain't shy--especially when fresh nectar is on the menu! And there's nothing like a bird, (or two!) in the hand, or on the head, to make a kid (and a mom) smile!!

Giva a Little Bit

Who IS that girl? why it's our very own Gigi - fresh from getting 10 inches of her beautiful hair cut for donating to Locks of Love.

Ever since last year she had been planning on donating her hair as soon as it was long enough, so we had just gone in for a little trim. We thought that the organization that makes wigs for children had a minimum requirement for 12 inches for donation.

When she found out they would take 10 inches, she said "do it!" And she never flinched as all of her hair was bunched up and snipped. Unfortunately we won't be able to find out where it eventually finds its new home...privacy issues.

But being able to contribute something to help another child has been a valuable experience. What more can a person give than a part of themselves (literally!)?

Deck Their Halls

"Black Friday" is of course known for the biggest shopping day of the year. Those who aren't out shopping are, I imagine, breaking the Boughs of Holly out of mothballs and dutifully decorating in preparation for the upcoming month of Christmas merriment.

I, on the other hand, am usually still recovering from Thanksgiving--either from the cooking of the dinner, or the eating way too much of it! (ideally in my pajamas and fuzzy slippers for as long as possible!)

So, since we were fortunate enough to be spending the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's in
King, the kiddos got to have a decorating extravaganza!! Never have more decorations been so enthusiastically squeezed into every nook and cranny of a house.



Since Grandma never met a Snowman or Santa she didn't like for her collection,


this process took quite a while!



It was a happy day for all of us: the kids had a grand time assembling the tree, wrapping on the lights, and examining all of the beautiful ornaments and decorations.......and I got to watch (from the couch!)

Ultimately Thankful

Ultimate (also called ultimate frisbee) is a limited contact team sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to that in American football or rugby.

Most families have football at Thanksgiving. Ours has frisbee!

We have determined that frisbee is the perfect sport for us because:




We look pretty good doing it!


It's great for all ages

We are so grateful for the time that we got to spend together as a family during the Thanksgiving holiday. It is so nice to be able to stop everything and step back and look at the things in our lives that are so valuable and offer special prayers of gratitude to our Father in Heaven for all He has given us.

We are thankful for our family.
We are thankful for each and every member of it.
We are thankful for our health.
We are thankful for our home.
We are thankful for our church.
We are thankful for our Saviour.










no special equipment or uniforms are required
Halftime always involves piggyback rides!



and

being silly is a requirement!