Isabel

Isabel is now a Kindergartner!  She started a new school this year and has been thriving in her class. Since it was all new to her this year we have taken things a little bit slower.

She has been learning to read and is picking it up at amazing speed, she has had a few performances at school with her class for Grandparent's Day, Christmas, and leading chapel.  She has been helping me bake and cook whenever she gets the chance, loves to play with her dolls, dress them up, and do their hair, and loves visits to Grandma's house.  She practiced hard to help her school try to get in the

Guinness Book of World Records for the most kids Speed Stacking at once,  and we have done lots of crafting together this year.

(first day of school)

Isabel is starting gymnastics this week and will start soccer soon also.  She is artistic, creative and a sensitive soul.

We love you Isabel and are so proud of the year you've had!

The State Fair

We went back to Nebraska this year for our annual trip to the State Fair and had lots of fun.  Mike and Grace went to the free concert one night which was Toby Mac, who rocked it!  I think an autograph showed up for Grace too (thank you Sierra!).  Mike and I went to the game.  Grandpa's flowers in his yard were amazing, of course.  I think the most interesting food was the hamburger on a doughnut (don't judge), which Mike said was really good.  The fields were green and gorgeous and it was very hot.  Mike picked up some funky shoes while at the fair.  Till next year.

Events

Here's a few things we've been up to over the year.

Ice Skating with Grace.  We have entertained some friends and family.  Grace got braces!  At a small fair with Isabel and Curious George.  We waxed leaves this Fall.  The girls build big forts on weekends. Pumpkin carving.  Playing with neighbors one last time before winter and snow.  Had to take Scooby to the vet because of a broken nail (ouch!), but he had a really nice Vet.  And Isabel has lost a record 6 teeth!  She's gonna have a brand new smile soon.  :)

(Isabel was sad/mad here because she did not want to see our friend leave.)

~~~

Grace

This year Grace is in 6th Grade and having a blast.  She started the year off playing soccer for her school.    She was chosen for Team A, and was also chosen by her team and coaches to kick in the sudden-death(?) overtime in the tournament they played at the end of the season.  She kicked the winning goal and was given the winning ball!  It was so fun to watch her play!  I think the thing she enjoyed most was playing with friends.  It was a great group of kids.

(Photo courtesy of Laura Prinzi)

Grace was then off to Outdoor Lab with her 6th Grade class for one week

 in the mountains with lots of activities and outdoor learning experiences

(my pictures here aren't that great either - just a few)

She just finished filming Super School News,

which will air on PBS the week of March 24th.

The students write their own scripts and go down to the PBS station

to film a news version broadcast about their school.

She did a great job!

Grace is now in piano lessons and gymnastics, and in a few weeks will pick up track also.

She's an amazing athlete, leader, and friend, with lots of life!

We love you Grace.

Birthdays

Hello!  Sorry for such a long absence!  I thought I would bring you up to speed on a few things we have been up to this year starting with the girls' birthdays.


Grace turned 11 and had her friends over for a trip to Eliche's, dinner with pizza after, and a sleepover.

As a family for her birthday, we went ziplining up in the mountains.  We have some great photos but I don't have them on this computer (darn!) so I only have a few to show you.

Isabel turned 6 this year!  We had a some presents for her when she woke up along with her favorite breakfast of strawberry pancakes and lots of whipped cream.  

She had a birthday party with some friends at Jumpstreet.  Whoo-hoo!

There were banners and flowers for decorations

(for both girls)

and dinner at her favorite restaurant.

Happy Birthday Grace and Isabel!

We couldn't be more proud.

xoxo