The Boys at Festival

The boys went to the "Glue-In" at Festival today. They built a ship and a fort from scrap wood pieces. We also had waffle cones, an elephant ear, and then watched a jazz band perform and a local dance troupe. We found the guy who makes balloon creations, and Isaac got a sword and sheath (although not as good as when grandma made them), and Avritt got a little green turtle.

Link to Video of Avritt Playing a Drum Duet

Avritt played in a drum duet at the school talent show this week. He and a friend wrote a duet that they played on their trap sets. They did a great job!

Link to online album with video:

http://picasaweb.google.com/grohwer/Avritt?authkey=Gv1sRgCNnukoT63Ky0uQE&feat=directlink

Rainy Memorial Day

We are spending a low-key day inside for Memorial Day. We awoke at 7 am this morning to an intense thunderstorm, and then went back to bed. :)

The boys are playing Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 on the Wii, Mike is grocery shopping, Emily is showering (at 2:45 pm), and I'm blogging. Tonight we are going to grill pizzas.

Earlier this weekend Mike powerwashed the decks, the boys had a watergun fight, Emily and Avritt rode their bikes around, we hung around with people from our house church, Mike and I went to see "Robinhood," I got 5 loads of laundry done, and Mike made the best ribs on his Weber grill that I have ever had.

Cat Pictures

Click on the picture to see an album of B&W cat pictures that I put together for a friend.

Isaac's Solo Piece

Isaac's First Piano Recital

Isaac played in his first piano recital this afternoon. He did a great job! He HATES to dress up, so we compromised and didn't make him tuck in his shirt and wear a belt. He looked dashing regardless!

Avritt's Party

The birthday boy (on the left) and his gang.

Avritt turned 12 this year!

Avritt didn't want Isaac to crash his party, but Isaac found a way to watch Space Balls anyway :) This is the view of Isaac laying outside the away room with the door cracked open, Avritt unaware...

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!