Catching Up

Hmmm.....it's been almost 6 months since my last post. Not sure I can adequately catch up, but I'll try to hit some highlights (it'll still be long!).

Let's see, since July. The boys made black belt in karate in September, Levi turned 13 in October (making me the mother of 3 teenagers), we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my mom in Quanah, Hope danced in a Christmas recital at the mall, Luke ran in the Jingle Bell Run, and we made it through the holidays in spite of JRR and I combating the flu.

Well, I guess that about does it. Just kidding. Now for some pictures.

The black belts:
Look at those jumps!




The new black belts!

With their congrats sign made by friends.


Levi turns 13:
Grandpa helped Levi build his very own fort in the backyard. That's all he wanted for his birthday.


Hope's BFF made the topper for Levi's cake out of clay. Notice that it is Levi with his fort. She did an incredible job!


You've no idea how well this game suits him. Funny thing is, he knows it! He just rolled his eyes and laughed when he opened it. I just couldn't resist. . . all in good fun!

We spent the evening of Levi's birthday with friends, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows at a bonfire. Hope and her BFF decided to dress as hippies.

DeeDee and the kids:
This is my mom with the kids, but not at Thanksgiving. :) I forgot to take my camera that weekend! This was taken during one of her trips this fall. We have been thoroughly enjoying her retirement--we get to see her so much more!

Sweet, random moment:

One night Hope came to my office and asked if she could read to me from her little Bible (like I would say no!). She randomly chose Psalm 25, which just happens to be very special to me--it was the Psalm our pastor read at our wedding.

Hope dancing:

Hope's favorite thing in the world to do, shared with her favorite person in the world!

Jingle Bell Run:
Luke ran the Jingle Bell Run (5K for the Arthritis Foundation) with a good friend.


What do you think Hope's favorite part of the evening was???

After the race at the tree on Main St.

Christmas Toes:

It's very important to have toenails appropriate for the season!

And lest I be accused again of leaving Jazz out ; ) . . . .

This is a daily routine. Jazz waits for us to open the front door so that she can bask in the sunshine. Some days, however, she just can't wait for it to hit the floor mat, so she follows it (in the second picture, she is actually sticking her nose to the door because it was the only place the sun was hitting at the moment!).

Now, I guess that about does it!