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!

Christmas Day in Zeeland

Later in the day on Christmas, we made our way to the Zeeland Elgersma's for more celebrating...

Katie and cousin, Kiley.

Troy thrilled with his Lego Star Wars game from Aunt Sarah.

The Elgersma "boys" presenting mom with her gift. They are laughing so hard because this is actually a yard sculpture that you stick corn cobs on to attract squirrels. Mom and Hank enjoy bird watching in their yard, so we thought this would be right up their alley. Then we found out Hank hates the squirrels and tries to shoot them! Hilarious. We'll have to hear the stories that come from this one.

Feeling quite proud of themselves.

Posing with their new yard sculpture.

Trying on Troy's new safety glasses that came with his new Nerf gun set. Lovely!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we relaxed, ate breakfast and opened presents as a family. (This is probably the last year of a leisurely Christmas morning!) Highlights were a Star Wars book for Troy (only problem is now WE have to read it to him!), Wii Resort for everyone, new slippers, jammies, etc. It was lots of fun just being together.

Group shot

Checking out the new photo books mom made.

The coveted Star Wars anthology

Snuggling in new down blankets from Grandpa and Judi.