Winter Formal

It's that time of year again...the annual winter formal at Katie's high school. We thankfully found a nice dress a couple of weeks ago without too much drama. Katie and her friends had a great night together. They got ready at a friend's house where they were also served a wonderful dinner. Then they were driven over to a country club for a photo shoot (by the moms). Katie's date (Ezra-just a friend, btw) met up with them there as did a bunch of other kids. Then it was finally off to the school gym for the dance. It started at 8:30, but they didn't want to be there until at least 9:30 (only freshman come early)! Anyway, here are some photos of the lovely group.

Katie and the girls who had dinner together.

The larger group on the staircase at the country club.

Katie and Ezra

Katie and her parents

China Feast

Today we had the annual second grade "China Feast". I have been teaching Social Studies, Science, and Reading in a second grade classroom this year. This feast is an annual event that goes along with our study of China during the month of January. The husband of my partner teacher came and did a Chinese cooking demonstration, the kids performed two Chinese dances, and everyone enjoyed some Chinese food at this long low table. The room moms did an awesome job decorating too. What a fun event!

All of the second graders watching the cooking demonstration.
The kids did an awesome job performing the dances.

All of the second graders at this long table.

Table decorations

Two of my second graders.

In the classroom in front of the China bulletin board.

The End of the 2009-2010 Basketball Season

Today Kamryn played her last Pure Play basketball game at school. She had another great season! Kam is an agressive player who likes to score. She is also sensitive to helping her teammates score too, though. Our friend, Pete, was her coach and Scott assisted. They won every game except one and made such improvement over the season. Here is the team showing off their trophies today after the game.

The Lasers.

Kamryn and her friend, Gretchen.

It looks like Kamryn is scaring the opponent away.

A team huddle.

Kamryn getting ready to bring the ball down.

Kamryn receiving her trophy.

Doughnuts and Gatorade after the game-yum!

A Day on the Slopes

Today was "records day" which meant a day off of school for Kamryn, Troy and me. In West Michigan during the long winter we've learned this is actually an excuse to go skiing! Kamryn hit the slopes with a friend and Scott went out for a little while too. We have a small ski area not too far from our house which is very convenient. The ski area offered our school a good deal for the day and there were several families taking advantage of it. Troy and I walked around and watched and took some pictures. He was complaining most of the time about not being allowed to get out there himself. Maybe before the winter is over we'll get him out there too. Kamryn has only been out a couple of times, but LOVES it! Our Colorado relatives would laugh at the size of the slopes, but it's a great place for the kids to learn. It was a fun day enjoying the outdoors!

Kamryn and Scott taking a quick break.

Kamryn and her friend, Alyssa.

A view of one of the chair lifts and runs.

Kamryn coming down the hill.

Kamryn and Alyssa-love those rosy cheeks!

P.S. As of yesterday Scott finished his "J" term class and ALL of his candidacy requirements. He has next week off and then one more semester. The end is in sight!!

Typical Tuesday

These are some pictures of a typical Tuesday evening. The kids were all working on homework. I always love seeing Troy at the kitchen table tackling his work for the week. He doesn't get much homework, but it's always quite a chore for him. He is making so much progress with his letters and reading of his "popcorn" (sight) words. It's fun to see his progress. Scott took a turn helping him this week. Troy wasn't so sure dad could handle it at first! :)

Such concentration.

Kamryn watching Katie do her powerpoint for her speech class. She kept breaking out in fits of giggles-not really sure why?!

Katie wanted a close up of her work. She found some neat pictures from the move, "Up" to include in her project.

Ditching the Deer

I don't have any new pictures to add this week. I think I am unmotivated to visually document ourselves when we look as white as ghosts! Each year in January we begin to take on a paleness that isn't too appealing. But who can complain about the lack of sunshine and miserableness of winter when there are so many people suffering in Haiti? It is a good reminder for us...Other notes of interest this week...We had near misses with deer, TWICE! Scott actually did hit a deer on the way home from Kamryn's basketball practice Thursday night. Thankfully he saw it in time and it just brushed the side of his car without causing any damage. On the way home from church Sunday morning we had to stop (on a busy road) to let about 10 of them cross the road! Gotta love the wildlife around here!

A Beautiful Sunday

These pictures aren't too exciting. I just wanted to document a beautiful January day in West Michigan. This is our second day of sunshine! Don't let the nice blue sky fool you though, it was extremely cold-in the 20's. Brrr! The kids tried playing outside (actually I sent them!), but didn't last long because of the chilliness.

The End of a Week

We are back into the routine around here. The first week of school in the new year is complete! This morning began with a trip to the dentist for Troy. Over the past few days his right front tooth has been turning dark. The dentist confirmed what I thought that his tooth is, in fact, dying due to "trauma." When this trauma occurred we are unsure. It could have been on one of several different occasions~that wrestling match with the neighborhood boys, a sledding incident, running into a kid at recess, "interacting" with his sisters, etc. Who knows?! Anyway, the dentist advised that we just wait it out. The baby tooth will fall out eventually.

At dinner tonight the kids were sharing some happenings from school today. I had the privilege of doing recess duty. Let me remind those of you who do not live in cold country that things are very different here. The kids have to go outside in the snow and freezing temperatures. (Actually they seem to enjoy playing in all that white stuff.) Anyway, today while patrolling the kindergarten-first grade playground, kids (including my son) kept coming up and complaining that other kids were stealing their ice blocks. When I reminded Troy of this at dinner he got fired up again and brought up a girl's name who according to him is "the meanest girl in the school!" He relayed how they try to build forts with the blocks of ice and then others come and wreck them. We just had to laugh as I never had to deal with kids stealing my ice blocks growing up in California.

Kamryn's dinner contribution was a story about the practice geography bee that the fourth graders had to take. She said that she only knew three of the countries because they didn't have the ones that she had already learned on there. She was upset that they didn't have Cameroon on the test. When Katie asked if she knew where Cameroon was she quickly and in true Kamryn fashion replied, "Yes, it's in Africa-right next to Togo!" Of course the fact that she knew this and rattled it right off cracked us all up.

Our Getaway

Scott and I were blessed to be able to take a quick trip back to California last week to attend the wedding of our friends, Michael and Ally. It was such a fun time seeing many people and places that are special to us. Thanks to everyone who hosted us and took time out to visit with us! I have to admit that I even sat outside and read my book out by Lisa's pool in 50 degree weather (but it was sunny!!). Now it's back to reality and school, but the end is in sight!