Mari’s 14th Birthday

This evening we celebrated Mari’s 14th birthday with Susan’s parents and the Reagens. We had Skyline for dinner and the candy-dish cake that has become popular among our kids.

Mari at 14 is turning into a smart, independent young woman. She does well in school, is very responsible, and is particular about many things in life. She does not hesitate to share her feelings openly.

Favorite song: None
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: None
Favorite band: None
Favorite book: She is reading Twilight right now
Favorite sport: Soccer
Favorite movie: Spiderman (Tom Holland)

Rose’s 4th Birthday

This morning we celebrated Rose’s 4th birthday! We had Susan’s parents, the Reagens, and the Thibodeaus over for brunch, cake, and presents.

Rose continues to be a joy to have around. She brings a lot of energy and excitement to the house, appreciating the little things that most of us take for granted. She shares a room and a bed with Lucia, and manages to stay on the same schedule as the rest of us. She often sneaks in a nap in the car to help keep up with our hectic schedule.

Favorite song: Baby Shark
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite food: Macaroni & Cheese
Favorite book: Fancy Nancy

Elliot turns 12!

This year for Elliot’s birthday we went to dinner at Jason’s Deli and then went sledding with the Reagens. We had his traditional family party on Sunday and these are some of his favorite things to do.

This year is Elliot’s first year in a traditional school. His adjustment has been great and he is going well. Most days he is up around 7:40 and has to catch the bus at 8:30. A couple of days a week he is up at 6:40 so he can go to band practices before school. On school days he gets home at 4:30 and can often be found doing homework or playing tag with Lucia and Rose after school. He likes to make smoothies for snacks. His evenings usually include soccer and then he is in bed by 10. On the weekends he likes to sleep in a little, play on the Xbox, and play outside.

Favorite song: None
Favorite color: Red
Favorite food: Skyline
Favorite band: AJR
Favorite book: Harry Potter 7
Favorite sport: Soccer
Favorite movie: None

Elliot’s Birthday Party

This year we celebrated Elliot’s birthday a couple of days early because I am going to be traveling on his birthday. We had the Reagens over for dinner, and the usual birthday festivities.

  • Some people ate outside.
  • Elliot on his new bike.

Lucia’s 6th Birthday!

Lucia & Leah

Last night we celebrated Lucia’s 6th birthday. The Herrels were in town and we had a joint birthday party for Leah and Lucia. Leah’s birthday is the 14th and the two girls adore each other.

Lucia at 6 is a real angel. She can be a little mischievous at times and sometimes twists the truth, but overall she has a smile on her face and is happy to participate in the world. She is in kindergarten this year and she and Susan work on some light homeschooling in the afternoons. Lucia does go to the HSAP classes at Rex on Tuesdays. She was a little apprehensive for the first few weeks, but she is getting the hang of it now and enjoys seeing her friends. 

Lucia loves to color and play various pretending games. She enjoys dancing, singing, and reading books with anyone who will read to her. She and Elliot get along well and often when he gets home from school the two of them go outside and jump on the trampoline.

She gets up around 7:30 each day and she and Rose share a bed and go to bed around nine. She is very patient with Rose, who still likes to snuggle more than Lucia does. Overall, she and Rose are best buds and do nearly everything together, mostly because Rose wants to do everything Lucia is doing. 

Favorite song: Best Nutcracker song ever
Favorite color: blue
Favorite food: ice cream
Favorite book: Fancy Nancy

Herrel Visit

The Box!

This weekend we were fortunate enough to be visited by the Herrels! They arrived on Friday and left Monday morning. Highlights included a pizza adventure, soccer games, a visit to a pumpkin patch, and Leah & Lucia’s birthday party.

Andrew’s 15th Birthday!

CeCe, Lucia, Rose, Mari, Will, Andrew, Ian, Cameron, Hope, Elliot

This evening we celebrated Andrew’s 15th birthday with the Reagens and the Thompsons. Rather than the traditional skyline, we had sandwich bar and Susan made an awesome cake. 

Andrew at 15 continues to be Andrew – enthusiastic about life, with a positive attitude. For the first time since first grade, he is going to school again! On school days he gets up and 7 and is on the bus by 7:45. We pick him up after school at around 5:45, from cross country. He usually stays up until around 11 at nights. On the weekends he stays up later and sleeps in later. 

This fall he started running cross country, which he is really enjoying. He also still plays soccer and the Cello. 

Favorite song: Pet Cheetah
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite food: Skyline
Favorite band: Twentyone Pilots
Favorite book: Scythe
Favorite sport: XC
Favorite movie: Jurassic Park
Favorite Subject – New!: English

Happy Birthday, Mari!

Today we celebrated Mari’s 13th birthday! It also happens to be Father’s Day, so this morning we joined the Liesses at church and then Panera. After Panera it was straight to Valley View pool. Mari wanted to spend the day at the pool, and we came close. After the pool it was back to the Reagens’ for Skyline, presents, and cake. 

Mari has really changed a lot over the past year, transitioning into a young lady. She loves reading and hanging out with her friends, including Hope, Milana, and Sabina.

Favorite song: FRIENDS by Marshmello & Anne-Marie
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: Skyline
Favorite band: None
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite sport: Soccer
Favorite movie: None

Hope & Mari at the pool.