Christmas

Every Thanksgiving my mom gives all the grandchildren Christmas ornaments.  Wesley's collection is mostly Hallmark's Star Trek series.  Will gets the Hallmark Train collection ornaments.  Anna loves her Princess and Barbie collectable ornaments.  It is fun and will be a great keepsake for them over the years.  The problem is our tree decorating gets a bit......territorial.  Each person wanting their own prominent space on the tree. We do fill in all around with a hodge podge of ornaments from many years, no two alike and certainly no "theme" that makes sense. We do love our odd tree though.  The trains pretty much keep to themselves.  However, the princesses and Trekies do not get along at all!  Is not out of the question for our tree decorating to turn a little ugly....in spite of the holiday music playing in the background.  But really isn't that all part of family bonding! We are all still friends when the decorating is over and we enjoy the tree all season.  There may be some midnight moving of certain ornaments that might be too close to the opposing territory. One of the III Musketeer Barbie's (who wields a sword) seems to get within striking range of Captain Kirk when no one is looking, and then a certain someone does not allow anyone to touch anything from other galaxies, even though some of them have flashing lights and make spaceship sounds. All's well that ends well. I threatened this year to get three separate smaller trees for them to put up in the living room and thus claim the biggest tree in the family room for myself.  They loved the idea!  Wesley wants silver, Will would like red and Anna would choose purple....a color the boys insist has nothing to do with Christmas......thus starting just another happy disagreement.  Besides, our head guy, the one who most often is in charge of hauling trees (we have a few already) from the attic and basement...then back again.....says we have quite enough, thank you.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Family picture from Thanksgiving

It is rare to get a picture of the 5 of us.  No one in our family likes the picture taking process.  Aunt Shelly knows how to snap only a couple....I think it was 2 this time.  She is fast and so sweet the boys cooperate for her.  You should hear the flack they give me. It could be due to the fact that I take a gazillion and none of them turn out well. The truth of the matter is that I have to take a gazillion because the boys hassle me and misbehave!   Thanks Aunt Shelly.

This is the picture I took with my Iphone before we left.

Halloween

White chocolate ghosts, pumpkin carving and black cats!  One super cute and precious black cat!

Soccer for the first time

Anna has watched her brothers play soccer for years.  She thought it was time she get in the game.  She is pretty good, had a great time and learned a lot about how to play.

Back to School

We homeschool but in August our Timothy Program starts back.  We go on Tuesdays.  Anna takes Spanish, Art, Ballet and Recorder. It is a great program and she loves it. Also provides opportunities for both of us to socialize with friends!

Summer treats

When we weren't swimming or hanging out at the beach, us girls were making some treats over the summer!  Whoopie pies Anna made for friends coming over.

A Pink Lemonade Cake at the beach.

And a chocolate pie with fresh whipped cream!  Summer fun.

This cookie cake Anna decorated for Father's Day.  It was loaded with icing and sprinkles.
Just the way Dad likes it!  

Sea Turtles at the Beach

We woke up to sea turtle patrol out on the beach, so Anna and I took off the to see the event!  The crew had to carefully dig up and relocate the nest of over 100 eggs.  Moved them straight back as the mother turtle laid her eggs too close to the tide.  So glad we got to see.

Will Graduates

Hard to believe Will is in the graduating class of 2012! Been a tough spring for him recovering from major surgery. He was set on walking down to get his diploma.  He did just that!  We are so proud of you Will! You have an amazing school record. More importantly, your love for Jesus shines through you! Congrats!  Well done!

Standing by his senior table.  Lots of awards and achievements..........sports, academics and leadership. Our favorite was his "most Christ like" awards.

Will's Surgery

Distal Tibial Opening Wedge Osteotomies.......yes this was a difficult road for Will and for us as his family to see him quietly suffer and be idle for so long.  We know he prefers to be out running, working out or biking daily.  He is not a complainer.  Just gets through as best as he can.

He is tough as nails though and once the most difficult days pain wise, were behind him at the hospital, he refused pain meds and then he was back to his independent self.  We all got pretty good at getting him from place to place but he eventually got to where he wanted no help if there was any possible way for him to move himself.  He got really good at transferring himself from wheelchair to chair or bed.  He has super upper body strength.  Wesley was his personal driver as I was not strong enough to lift Will or the wheelchair into the van!  Team/family effort to get through this together.  Will......your patience, grace and tenacity through difficult times....are an inspiration to all of us.

Anna's Dance Recital

Wesley and Will were thrilled.  We had front row seats this year due to Will being in a wheelchair.  Really was funny to see the look on their faces when they saw a "reserved" sign with our name on it......on the very front row.  Yep, they would have to stay to the very end.....no sneaking out after Anna danced!  Gave me a chance to snap some pictures of the three of them after the show!

Easter

Pinkalicious the Musical

My niece Zoe was in her school's production of Pinkalicious a musical.  We had fun attending the performance and Zoe acted and sang beautifully!  Anna and I wore pink of course.  Even had pink cupcakes after the show.

Father/Daughter Dance

Scott escorted his darling Anna to our homeschool group Father/Daughter dance.  They went out to dinner with  dad/daughter friends of ours, then off to the lovely dance.  They really did dance the evening away!  Scott said he had to shed his suit jacket and Anna was exhausted when they arrived home. Scott had written Anna a letter of love and affirmation which he read to her during a quiet moment at the dance. Good times indeed. Anna loved, loved, loved her special wrist corsage!  

Will on Senior Trip

Will's senior trip included Paris, France and Madrid, Spain.  He had a great time.  I on the other hand had separation difficulties because we hardly talked to him the whole trip! Twice in fact. They toured all day and were out late so it was hard to get phone time.   I found comfort in checking in with some of the other moms.  We had an agreement to call each other when any of us got news. The boys, however had no idea when one of them called home....it triggered a mamma phone chain.  Gone 14 whole days.  I know, I know.........this is just the beginning of harder separations ahead.  Don't even want to talk about it. 

Valentine's Day

The boys have never been thrilled about Valentine's Day.  Don't get me wrong,  they won't pass up the sweet treats that come with this day.  Its all the talk about love and such that doesn't sit so well.  Anna, on the other hand.....the more love, hugs and kisses....the better!  Yeah, it starts early for us girls.  Gotta love all the love floating round on this day!