Bowling-A Day Late

The kids were a little disappointed that we could not keep up our tradition of bowling on Thanksgiving. (The bowling alley in Redlands was not open yesterday.) So, we asked our friends, The Wiers, if they wanted to go bowling today. They were up for the challenge and we had a great time playing a couple of games this afternoon.

They're glowing because of the neon lights behind them.

Katie and Josie.

The group.

Thanksgiving 2010

Although we missed being with family this year, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed a great service at our church with lots of neat music and kids' involvement. (Katie did a reading with three other high-schoolers and Troy was part of a recitation of what they were thankful for. He was the letter I-ice cream, igloos, and iguanas!) We were very blessed to be invited to share the Thanksgiving meal at some friends' from church who just moved into a beautiful home. It was extra neat that we were able to spend time with some Visalia friends (The Westras) who were also here visiting family.

The Westra bus parked in front of our house.

Richard and Scott "manning" the deep fryer.

Scott lowering the bird.

Richard carving up the turkey. (It was one of Scott's best!)

Scott and Donna

A group of us in the kitchen.

The kids entertaining themselves with a puzzle.

The view out their front yard.

Thankfulness

In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate tomorrow, I thought I would document some of the things we are thankful for. A biggie this year is the fact that Scott is now back in full-time ministry and loving his role as lead pastor of a wonderful church. We are thankful to be done with Seminary. We are thankful for smooth adjustments for our family after a big move. We are thankful for sunshine in November. I was even thankful that I had to mow the lawn the other day (and that it wasn't covered with white, cold stuff!) . We're thankful for new friendships. We're thankful for cars that still work even with many, many miles on them. We're thankful for friendly neighbors. We're thankful for soccer teams. We're thankful for great Christian schools to be a part of. We're thankful for a wonderful staff at church that likes to have fun and support each other. We're thankful for a family from church who is including us in their Thanksgiving celebration (and even letting Scott deep-fry the turkey). We're thankful for a loving God who is always with us. We're thankful for many family and friends. We're thankful for a safe journey to Israel this fall. We're thankful to be done with Seminary. (Oops, I think I already mentioned that!) Anyway, Scott and I are very thankful for the relationship that God has blessed us with and that we have some pretty awesome kids! We are thankful for...

Katelyn Joy~

and the way she works hard in school, performs on the stage with dramatic flair, makes friends easily, tears up the soccer field, has improved in her driving ability, shows her love for God through her singing and worship, and does it all with a smile.

Kamryn Elise~

and the way she works for justice, asks the tough questions, likes a good laugh, loves a good book (or two at the same time), reminds me that she's "in that awkward stage", is a good friend to others in her class even though she is "the new kid", still asks me to do her hair in the mornings.

Troy William~

and the way he is "all boy", has to read his minutes at night "because the teacher said so", keeps his card from "getting changed" at school, plays hard at recess and always comes home with grass stains, still likes to cuddle with his mom or dad, tries to take advantage of being "the baby", makes friends easily, and sings his heart out with the praise songs at church.

Thank you God!

Well-Used

To say Troy loves playing soccer is an understatement. Recess time at school finds him out on the back field with the third grade boys. (He's in first.) Troy dutifully brings his soccer ball each day to ensure the game will go on. It's been kicked over the fence and returned by neighbors. It's been rolled through many a mud puddle. The list goes on. He's been asking for a replacement recently and I shrugged off his request until today. I actually took a look at this ball for the first time in awhile. I felt this ball had done its duty. I gave in to Troy's request and picked up a new one on my Target run.

Let the games continue!

Another Great Sunday

We had a great day of worship, learning and celebration of the Lord's Supper at church this morning. (It was actually Scott's first time leading communion.) We were blessed to have some friends come to church too. It was great to see the Snook and Fikkert families! We had fun introducing them to our new church family and then catching up over lunch at our house. Kendra, Sharon and I all taught together at CVC. It's been fun to be a part of their marriages and now children. We're thankful for continued friendship!

Our Yard Sale Find

There's a little necessary background information for this post to make sense... Many of our friends and family have heard the story of the sale of our house in Michigan this summer. It was amazing and in God's timing, but a little wacky at the same time. In the offer that we ended up accepting, our buyers included several items of ours that they wanted. Their list included our patio table, chairs, chair cushions and tablecloth. Anyway, it has meant that since we have moved we have been without a backyard table set. We really love to eat outside and so have missed not having one. ANYWAY, today while walking to our first soccer game we saw that our neighbors had a great set out for sale. Ends up we got a great deal and are the proud owners of a new patio table and chairs (plus umbrella).

Too bad the rest of the yard looks like this!...

Oh well, it's a start. :)

Glorious Day!

People sometimes ask us what our family likes to do for fun or how we relax. I guess the answer would be we love to watch our kids play soccer. (There are other things too!) In the past, we have been a part of the craziness of club teams, but AYSO seems to be a much better fit for us. Kamryn and Troy have been playing this fall, so each Saturday we can be found at the soccer complex near our house. The weather has been wonderful and it's just been a fun way to spend time together as a family.

I love this picture because it shows how Kam and her teammates get along. They aren't always so successful with winning, but they really seem to enjoy hanging out and playing together.

I got some action shots of the kids today. Troy is quite a little player already. He just works so hard and has some pretty impressive moves. (Yes, I am bragging!) Again, he enjoys his teammates and has fun playing.

Kamryn showing her aggressive side.

Troy dribbling down the field.

Kam enjoying the sunshine.

Troy's face says it all!

Again, just a little intensity!

I love the AYSO hand slap at the end of games. Then there's the parent "tunnel" which the kids run through with lots of cheering.

Enjoying a beautiful day!