Year Review 2010 GIRL PARTY!

In Iowa City we had some very very dear friends. Before leaving Hannah initiated a girl's sleepover at the church. Activities were planned and precious memories were made. Here a glance at Hannah's handiwork.


Ana getting settled in.


Tyhesia ready for fun.


Jessica and Jean setting up camp. You should have seen these two set everything up meticulously. Their beds were picturesque. I won't show you mine and Marta's.

Next there was time for dancing. Jessica is a certified Nia instructor so we all had a great time moving with her.

Great workout and a whole lot of fun....and a little bit of laughing.

After dancing I caught these two "girls" behaving like teenagers, playing with their technology. Who says moms aren't savvy.

Next it was time for pedicures and manicures. There were plenty of colors to chose from and this is only part of them.

Some worked their abs while doing her nails. ;)

There was great focus involved too.

The next step was hair. Ana's mom brought new hair for her. She loved i,t can you tell?

Of course the hair was begging to be shared. Wow, Elizabeth as a brunette.

Tyhesia jumped in on the fun too.

Many pictures were being taken the entire night.

Now it was Hannah's turn to have her hair done by the one who does rollers best, Marta.

It became a group affair.

Hannah loved this part and took full opportunity for a photo op.


Ta-dah!

Loving the bouncing and behaving hair.

Throughout our time there was a ton of laughing and tons of loving for a very precious group of friends.

You can see that we took over the room and had a pretty sweet set up for comfy sleep and movie watching. In the end, a great time was had by all!

Year Review 2010 ELIZABETH BIRTHDAY

Here is Elizabeth and friends celebrating her 11th birthday. One last hurrah here with a special group of friends.



Opening presents.


Listening to one of her closest friends read a "good bye" note was tough. Swallowed hard a couple of times hearing her tender words. That one caught me a little of guard. Taylor was one of her closest friends.


Friends listening to yet another heartfelt note.





In our home you just never knew how many people would be coming and going. On this night we were somewhere around 15 extras plus our 5. Love this kind of fun!


Ding, ding, round #2......


After the junior high kids were off we heading to the church for scooter fun and some other games. Miss having the extra "space" to throw a party.

Year Review April 2010 DANCE

Time once again for the junior high spring dance. Our house was hopping this night as we served as the transition place from track to dance while hosting Elizabeth's early birthday party. Those pics to come.

Here is Hannah and some of her closest friends eating some dinner before the big dance.


Zach eating some dessert before the dance. It was so funny listening to the older girls affirming his attire for the dance.


Malory, Hannah, Riley, Molly.


Zach, not minding the attention for the "older women" in his sister's world. The smile says it all.

Year Review April 2010 TRACK

Still covering last year. What is most remarkable is how much the children have changed. Zach especially is no longer a boy in stature but rather a tall strapping young man. Those pictures yet to come.

Here is Zach getting ready for the mile relay.





Nice long stride son.


Hannah getting ready for her relay race. She said she was nervous. I can see that on her face. Very quickly brings back a rush of "the butterflies" even as I type.


Digging deep.


Love seeing these two kids together. They are such good friends.

Year Review--April/Dear Friends

I love watching how God knits hearts together. Oh for the intricate ways He has woven the tapestry of these friendships. His handiwork is intricate and beautiful. I think it is safe to say that our lives are forever changed by the time He allowed us all to live near one another.

A nice,"normal" picture of us all.


The gang in "serious" pose. Definitely a pose because you will never find us all looking like this any other time.


Now this is more like it. Gosh I love these people. You would never guess that there are FOUR doctors in the midst of this group.


Laughter abounds in our time together. We had just been talking about the stereotypical cheerleader smile that we all have had to wear....or may still be wearing. ;)


More laugher....When we laugh we laugh big and long.


These women are more than friends, they are sisters and treasured souls. Miss you all!

Year Review--April/Easter

These are photos from Easter. This year cousin Erika got to be with us. Here, the kids are lined up and ready to go out on the hunt. Scott always closes all the blinds and makes all adults in the house hold the kids accountable NOT to peek while they are hiding (especially the PRIZE egg). They are such good sports about it.



The girls do not lack in confidence.











After the big hunt we have the tradition of going through the resurrection eggs, telling the story of Christ's death and resurrection. It has historically been the time where God all of a sudden brings an extra child or two to do the hunt with us then end up listening to His story. This year it was one of Aaron's friends in the neighborhood.


Not sure what Hannah was thinking. Appears as though she is questioning something. Regardless I wanted to show a closer picture of one the trinkets in the eggs. Donkey.


Easter baskets Easter morning. The 6th one was for cousin Erika.


Enjoying the goodies.





This year Hannah was very excited about "dressing up" for Easter. She has apparently reached that age where getting an Easter dress was fun again. We found a steal of a deal at Stuff Etc. and had the accessories at home. She was being a goof here but looked really stunning anyway. Hannah did a great job pulling this little ensamble together.