Opening Presents Early in the Morning

Avritt was eager to open presents...he finally dragged us out of bed at 7:40 am. Thanks to all the friends and family who sent him gifts! He is excited about going shopping. He may buy some accessories for his new cell phone (he requested one with a keyboard for easy texting), which is what he got from us. He is growing up...

Trip to the Zoo

Isaac at the stingray petting pool.

The Styles of Furniture I'm Considering

These are the styles of chairs and couches that I'm considering for our living room. I trying to decide right now on fabric or leather for the chairs (leaning toward leather). Then if we choose leather - brown or black? Mike wants the couches to be in leather for sure. Whichever color of leather we choose will be on 2 chairs around the fireplace, and a couch and loveseat.

Emily's 17th

Emily's Junior Prom

My Skiing Mishap

We went skiing up north over the weekend, and Avritt convinced me to go down a trail through the woods. Well....I shouldn't have done that. It was a narrow track through the snow, and I couldn't slow down once I started down the trail. I was too close behind Avritt, who was managing quite nicely. I kept getting closer and closer, until I had to make a decision to either plow him over (what mother could do that?) or take a dive. I think the black eye was caused by my goggles jamming into my face upon impact. I wasn't otherwise injured. My glasses help to cover this, but it's here for awhile...

Isaac's First Swim Meet

Isaac was shivering when I took this, and he normally doesn't smile, but he had just posted his personal best time in the 50 Yard Backstroke and received a ribbon!

Isaac was in line 1, and he came in 5th place in this event.

First Swim Meet

He didn't really want me to take this, but he obliged...

Avritt was in lane 5, and he came in 4th place in this race, the 50 yard backstroke.

Avritt is ready to start his backstroke. He's the one with the "N" on his swimcap. He's at the point where all his peers are wearing caps, so he has started to do that for meets this year.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Advent is Fulfilled

O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

Trying to Get a Picture with Three Silly Kids

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! We are thankful for a good year, and look forward to the next. We have been in our house almost a year since we completed the remodel last year. We have enjoyed the beautiful space and are very thankful that we aren't moving 3 days before Christmas this year! Mike's job is going very well. He is in the process of hiring for a position in his department, and is currently talking to his boss about some new possibilities for his position, which he is pretty excited about. Ginger is still enjoying teaching college math, and had a busier-than-normal semester as all her classes have transitioned to a new system of online homework. Emily is doing very well in school as a junior (above a 4.0 GPA) and is now driving. She is going a great job, even on the ice and snow. She participated in the marching band this year, and her band won 2nd at the state competition. Avritt likes to stay active. He played football in the fall, is currently on the swim team. He is actually snowboarding at a local hill as I write this (along with Mike and Isaac). He is a top student at school in 6th grade. Isaac is a 3rd grader, and doing extrememly well in school. He played tackle football for the first time this fall. Mike and I spent many hours at practices and Saturday games. Isaac was a tight end. He is also on the swim team - his best stroke is the backstroke. Isaac enjoys reading comics and has created and drawn a few of his own.

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Avritt on Cloud Nine

Avritt got his Christmas present early this year. We found a good deal over the weekend. He is completely geeked about this board and all the gear to go with it! Now we just need the snow...

Halloween

Mexican Bandit

Army Officer

Skeleton Army Officer and Mexican Bandit

Homecoming 2009

Emily wore the light gown amongst the group.

It's hard to tell, but her hair was pulled to the side and curled in ringlets. I can't believe that I didn't get a shot of just Emily that day! I was hosting my sister's baby shower, and left the shower to deliver Emily to a friend's house where these pictures were taken. I had a lot going on that day, so I guess it's excusable...

The big group.