Captured Memory

What fun it is to be with these girls. What cherished memories from playing in the snow (Feb 2008) to playing in the leaves (Oct 2008) we have a BLAST!

Life is just BEAUTIFUL!

Well, life is just beautiful. What better way to end the fall season than to enjoy these girls, the autumn leaves, the bright sunny day, and pictures to capture it all. We had a busy season with Isabelle's soccer team (mom's 2nd season coaching); the girls both participated in the 1st annual Poky kids triathalon; Abi is learning to play both the flute and the viola; Abi's soccer season was put on hold when the MD concurred with Mom's diagnosis of Osgood Slatters (jumper's knee) putting her out of commission until next spring. She is becoming an excellent 'speed walker' as the doc advised her not to run to hopefully help her knees heal.

With all that is happening...we are preparing to move...then buy our very first house!

What a beautiful fall!

Future Jazz Club?

Abi completed her first Bass lessons with a grandeur. She spent all day learning 4 new songs and performed them in her first ever orchestra. She enjoyed a full day surrounded by strings, strings, and more strings. Though she liked the Bass (and had an excellent teacher) she thinks she'll downsize to the viola next year. Mom's happy with that as transporting or storing the Bass is well...just look at the size of the thing! (get the picture?)

These two singing dolls performed with the ISU Children's choir this Spring. Abi toured the schools singing "Rockin' Robin" and "Whenever I feel afraid" with debut swing dance and solo. Isabelle's songs were "You're never fully dressed without a smile" and "Chim Cheree" She and her sister finished with a trip to Lagoon for one of Abi's performances. Abi loves to sing and can't stop herself from smiling while performing. I am sure we'll be 'hearing' more from these two as the years go on.

Easter Fun

Ok, so it's a little late and everything seems normal...until the camera comes out. Well, relax now and be yourselves! Silly is as silly does.

Easter Egg

It's mid semester, late Friday night (notice the dark window), and the Easter eggs haven't been dyed. We can't have the grinch steal Easter so we pull out the eggs and put together all the colors.

Winter Fort 2008

We spend the evening fixing ourselves a fort complete with a door, chairs, table, bowls, and even decorations. It doesn't get any more extravagant. I had to turn down requests to stay in the fort...maybe someday we will have the gear! It was a fun project for all and even stayed put for about a week before mother nature and the wind took it's toll.

The Nativity 2007

With Isabelle as Mary and Matthew as Joseph we began our 3rd Annual 'Nativity' at the Nates. This year, a winter storm blew in covering the roads with snow and ice causing us to cancel our Christmas Eve tradition. But, that would not deter us. We waited 24 hours and carried on. Maria swept through her house cleaning after her family's Christmas celebration to have us all over for hot roast sandwiches and the cousin-get-together (Thanks Maria!)

We watch a video of Luke II choreographed to a song about Mary...
And Maria concludes with the symbolism of Gold, Frankinsense, and Mur showing an actual sample of each.

A gathering of all. Abi was the Angel; Isabelle was Mary; Joseph was Matthew; Anna, Christina, and Elle were the shepherds; Sam, Maddie, and Jessica were the wisemen for the annual production of the nativity 2007

Gingerbread Extravaganza

Yep, it's that time of year again. The annual Gingerbread House event in which mom's bake all night and kids go hog wild with frosting, candy, and sugar galore. We gathered at grandma's (thanks mom for the house) to assemble the famous houses made with mom's old recipe and traditional hand drawn shapes. The kids are getting the knack of the frosting as they plaster the houses. The more candy you can put on the house the more you have to eat. It's almost like Halloween...but better because you stay in where it is warm and say 'Can I have more frosting, Please' instead of 'trick-or-treat.' This year the Sam, Maddie, Jessica, and Abi designed houses with a hybrid theme...a contortion of All Hallows Eve. Something like a cross between Halloween and Christmas. Elements included in these designs were Santa being turned on a spit, Santa falling of the house (being gored), and the like. With all this sugar and no substantial food we managed only one meltdown in between the 'bigs' (Sam, Maddie, Jessica, Abi, Matthew) and the 'littles' (Anna, Isabelle, Christina, Elle). Thanks to the collaboration of some level headed adults we managed a reasonable negotiation and all ended happily ever after...until next year...as that is about how long it will be to forget the behind the scenes work and get over the sugar load. Here are just a few kodak moments.

Waterton National Park

This was a nice welcome by the very domicile deer in Waterton. The Canadian side of Glacier.

St. Mary's Falls in Glacier National Park

Yep, that's us...at St. Mary's Falls in Glacier National Park, Summer 2007. We spent a week touring the park, enjoying the beautiful mountain vistas, exploring the trails, enjoying an authentic Blackfoot Indian Dance, and even a dip in the frigid waters of Waterton Lake in Canada. A trip to remember.