2011 Highlights - Part 3 of 3

We started paperwork for our next adoption in late May, and FINALLY had our dossier completed and ready to send to Haiti in September. We had some local friends deliver it to the orphanage for us while on a mission trip there.







Kaylen played fall soccer again this fall. At U9, they're now playing with a goalie, and have to choose between the rec league and academy. She decided to stay rec, as did 6/8 girls from her former team. They had a great season with 6 veterans, 2 newbies, and the same great coach!



My sister had her baby in early August - Bo Lucas. Josephine turned out to be quite the baby-hog - although the rest of us did get a turn also - who wouldn't fight for their turn to hold this cute little bug!







We spent 7 days at Walt Disney World at the end of September. We were so blessed to have been able to have such an awesome vacation!
(I couldn't choose just one or two photos from this highlight!)






Elijah played soccer this fall as well. It's pretty fun watching preschoolers and kindergartners playing indoor soccer - they pretty much kick the ball as hard as they can and then chase after it in a clump. :)




Halloween is always fun. This year we had a Southern Belle, a Knight, and a Cinderella. As usual, we came home with WAY too much candy!





Josephine and Kaylen started dance lessons this fall as well. I really enjoyed Parent Watch day in November, and was surprised how much they'd learned in only 8 weeks! Josephine's in the back second from the left in her photo; Kaylen's in the middle of her photo, in a dark blue leotard.

Jock made TWO turduckens this year! This was after de-boning and assembly, while he was sewing the turkey back together. The dinner was at our church, with our small group, another small group, and some other invited families who didn't already have a small group. The adults played volleyball afterwards, while the kids played together.




We finished off the year with a wonderful Christmas season.
Hope you all had a wonderful 2011! Happy New Year!

2011 Highlights - Part 2 of 3

Josephine and I both celebrated our birthdays in May, a week apart - her 4th, my 34th. We just had a small family party for Josephine. I worked on my birthday, but Jock sent me flowers, and I took a long lunch break to get a pedicure.

These deserve a little more explanation... Memorial Day weekend we spent at my dad and step-mom's in NE Iowa. Up until this point, Elijah & Josephine were VERY afraid of the dogs. Saturday we spent a couple hours on Dad's new deck. They sat on the bench with me, but stood up and scooted back every time the dogs came near. Eventually they started petting the dogs with me holding them. Then they'd call them over and pet them without me holding them. Soon they were off playing with them in the yard. They're still a little hesitant with animals - which is OK with me - and still at first with my dad's dogs, but they are much better without the crippling fear they did have!

Elijah & Josephine played BlastBall in the spring. Blastball is like t-ball. They only practice hitting, running to 1st based, and fielding/throwing. Very cute! And they both had fun.








After one of their Blastball games, we saw a med-evac helicopter landing at the fire station. We didn't realize there was an open house going on, so we stopped by there before we went home.

Kaylen played spring soccer, and also played several tournaments in the summer.

Kaylen took Level 3 Red Cross swimming lessons over the summer. She didn't quite have all the skills down so will have to take it again, but she did a great job, and made some big improvements! We also saw a beautiful rainbow on the way home from lessons one day.

I ran my first 5K in June, with a friend of mine. Her husband and several other friends from our church ran the full Dam to Dam race (approx 12 miles) that day. I didn't do as well as I wanted to, but I'm proud of myself for completing it.


Jock and I did some clean-up in our landscaping beds in June - pulling up the mulch and weeds, and putting down new felt and rock.

Jock also spent a lot of time working on a playset for the kids. I can't seem to find a photo, but the roof and railings are done now as well. He plans to finish it this spring with the addition of monkey bars.

This summer, Elijah & Josephine worked on their alphabet. Can you guess what letter this was?







Josephine got glasses in July.










Elijah celebrated his 5th birthday in August, and Jock celebrated his 36th.








Kaylen started the 3rd grade this fall, and all the kids started a new daycare the same day. Elijah & Josephine are in preschool classes!

2011 Highlights - Part 1 of 3

We hope you had an awesome 2011! We sure did! All the media outlets are showing top stories, top photos, top weather disasters, top entertainment headlines for the year. So I thought I'd to top highlights of 2011 in our family, in pictures...

We celebrated late Christmas with my family over New Year's last year.













Kaylen celebrated her 8th birthday with her first slumber party, then a bowling party with Jock's family.












We had a lot of snow last winter, and the kids had fun helping Daddy clear the driveway and sidewalk one Saturday in February.











I stayed home with the kids the week of spring break, and we tried to visit a different city park or school playground every day.One day we also visited the Science Center with friends.

















The kids got had their Awana awards/program in April, just before Easter. Kaylen finished two books in one year, so got two big ribbons. Elijah & Josephine's preschool class did a couple songs, and got prizes as well.














Easter!