Pumpkins

Here are some pictures from our pumpkin carving session last week. Blake was the only one that did traditional carving, the rest of us painted or put accessories on the pumpkin… Mr Potato Head style!

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Weekend at Windermere

We recently had an opportunity to get away for the weekend; with the kids. A group from church were also there and we were joining them along with Jenny’s parents, Jenny’s brother and wife and their kids. Everyone else went down on Friday night, we left Saturday morning.

When we got there, the activities were already starting. Blake and I went straight over  to the fly fishing lessons.

 

I already knew what we were being taught, but Blake didn’t and it was good practice for me. It was chilly and Blake got cold about half way through and went inside. Jenny and Alli played games inside, they may have been the smart ones.

The next activity was sand volleyball. Blake and I went to the sand volleyball court and played each other. No one else from our group showed up. While Blake and I were playing some children from another group moved in and started playing in the sand. For the most part we were able to stay away from them, until Blake accidently hit one at them. It struck one of the children in the head (a two year old boy) and he started crying. Blake can be so mean!!!

While Blake and I were playing volleyball and making kids cry, everyone else went and played mini golf and checked out the local cave! They saw a bat in that cave!

When everyone regrouped, we hung out in the activity room until it was time for the scavenger hunt. We all teamed together to find clues and thought we were one of the first two teams. For us it ended in a sprint to the finish thinking we would come in at least second (I couldn’t close the gap on the guy in front of me) to find out we weren’t even third.

Then started the Wacky Olympics. They had games like the three legged race, bean bag toss and a book balancing on their head kind of race. Jenny and Alli’s team won; Blake and Pop’s team tied for fourth in the five team event.

Then it was supper time. We all gathered in a buffet hall and ate. The food was ok and we got to spend time with each other. Then it was back to the activity room for ice cream. After the ice cream it was time for a campfire. Blake ate some s’mores and we all sang songs.

Once again it was back to the activity room for social/game time with the rest of our group. This was Blake’s favorite. She met some new friends and had a great time playing Twister and UNO.

Bed time was fun for the girls. Our room had a queen bed and two bunk beds. Jenny’s parents got the bed, but who do you think got the bottom bunks? Yep, Jenny and I. Alli and Blake slept on the top bunks and Alli wanted to stay another night so she could sleep on them again.

Overall it was a good trip and we have already talked about doing it again!

Chris

It’s Been a While!

Well, as the title suggests, it’s been a while since we last posted. A lot has happened since then!  What follows is a very brief attempt to get caught up.

Blake has played softball for her school where she is a standout as a hitter and pitcher. She also sang a solo for Grandparents Day at a school concert; a part of Proud Mary originally sung by Tina Turner.  She had dressed up and wore a wig for the part, she was really excited to go through the tryout process and get the part.

 

Blake has also been singing in the praise teams for both churches she attends. She continues to excel in school and even brought home algebra homework last week. She was one of 4 or 5 students in her math class that routinely get her in class assignments turned in early and gets very good grades on it. The teacher decided they needed some advanced work to do. Blake was excited at first! Then she realized that it’s hard to remember the golden rule (what you do to one side of the equation you have to do to the other). She’s very smart so she’ll catch on quickly.

Alli has continued and excelled in her gymnastics class. She was asked to join the “advanced” class, but she isn’t old enough. She has to be four, but when she turns, they want to bump her up!

Alli’s school work has also been excellent. She has learned a few songs, like “Tootie Ta” and “Hello, How Are You?” She has also learned the Pledge of Allegiance,what the fall season is (which she will correct you and say Autumn), pumpkins, and is always excited to perform her weekly job. These jobs range from line leader (her favorite) to Table Setter to Flag Holder to Door Holder!

Some big news for Jenny and I are that we are having another baby! Jenny is due at the end of April. Most everybody wants a boy but I’ll be happy for healthy and ten fingers and ten toes, and if I played the odds… we will end up with another girl! We’ll post pictures of the ultrasound when we get another one in a couple of months.

There will be more posts very soon… as soon as we get some more pictures uploaded!

Chris