Thankful

This November here are just a few things I am thankful for:

MY COUNTRY

The day after the election we attended Preston's Veterans day assembly.   We were all a bit discouraged about the election results not only nationally but here in the state of Washington as well.   So it felt rather ironic to attend this sweet and enthusiastic assembly with about 100 innocent 3rd graders patriotically singing about our nation.   If you look close in the picture below, Preston is holding up the state of UTAH! 

 

 GREAT FRIENDS:   

Preston is so lucky to have many great friends.   Jacob has been a favorite since they were about 2.   They attend school together, Cub scouts, church and get together after school and play on the same baseball, soccer and basketball teams.    He's pretty lucky to have a friend like Jacob.  

 SWIM TEAM:

Our kids have benefited greatly from the Swim program at Curtis High School.   Mr Olsen and his team of coaches do a great job building character and inspiring the team of about 75 girls to work hard and do their best.   Katie finished her Senior season with league qualifying times in the breast stroke and the butterfly.  She barely missed qualifying in the 200 IM.  More importantly she was a great leader on the team and earned the Viking Women award chosen by the coaches  and the Captains award chosen by her teammates.  

TURKEY BOWL:

The kids had such a great time participating in the annual turkey bowl on Thanksgiving Morning.   We had a mostly family team going against each other.   Preston and I just missed being in this picture but we had a great time too. 

  

MISSIONARIES!!:

Of course we are missing Christian again during this holiday season but it is countdown time now...he will be home in May!!!   We look forward to his letters each Monday.   He is working hard and growing so much.   Below he had his own Turkey bowl with some missionaries and Mozambican kids on the beach near Beira where he is living now.   At the end of November he participated in a large group wedding of 8 families/couples which was followed the next day by their baptisms.   

Wow, that is impressive!

 

October!

BRACES:   Here we go....let the straightening begin.  

Curtis High School Homecoming..We all wanted a picture with Katie...

Katie and cousin Kelsey had fun getting ready for the dance together. 

 

 Katie loves these friends...her swim and water polo buddies.  

Katie and friend Porter and below with date Andrew.  

  Her large group of 30ish kids took pictures and had dinner together 

at a friends house while the parents served.   She had a really fun night.

 Kate with some of her bestie swim friends.  

 FINAL SWIM SEASON:  Senior night picture with dad...

had to cut myself out of this one because I totally ruined the picture...oh well.  

 Swim League dinner at the Bateman's...

 At league Katie swam the 100 breast and the 100 Butterfly.   Great season Kate.  We have loved cheering you on and watching you swim.  

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!   Preston said this was his most special Halloween ever.   He was so proud of his homemade Viking costume and every day since he has come home and put it on to have viking adventure games with his cousins, Braden, Caleb and Christian.  

 It's official.   I have been working full time as a nurse at Sunset primary school for a month now.     I'm enjoying the work a lot although the house is falling apart.  Definitely a big adjustment.   

Happy 25th Bethany

Bethany and Sean come for her birthday weekend so we get to celebrate

 the anniversary of  25 beautiful years.  We love you Bethany.  

Sisters give a birthday Pedicure...

September Sport highlights

Senior Swim season for Katie, She loves these swim girls

 75 girls on this amazing Curtis High School team.   

Katie in the middle with the seniors leading the rally before each meet.  

 New friend on the team, Emily. 

 First time swimming 100 butterfly, Katie got a 1:13 for a league qualifying time.  Way to go!

 Fans Jaden and Porter, love these boys.  

  Relay dive in, great form Katie!

Love our Coach Olson 

 Goodbye Soccer:   Hannah finished up her soccer career on the UP Venom.  She is happy to have a little more time to pursue her music lessons, cello and voice, and keep up with her studies.

Another fun Soccer Season on the UP Thunder with Coach Torres.  

Preston likes to play goalie.   He loves to dive for the ball.  

Apple Cider FHE

We had a great FHE with lots of neighbors helpers picking and washing barrels of apples, then throwing them into the cider press where juice was created.  Then the juice was boiled and put into jars.   

These pictures don't do all the work justice, 

but it was a fun night and over 50 quarts were accomplished.  Yummy. 

Love the Puyallup