First 1/2 of December

Derian is now 14!  Where does the time go? I wonder sometimes. She asked for a pull over sweatshirt and though we shopped quite a while for one we just couldn't find a nice one.
So we did the next best thing ... Goodwill.

As Derian opened her gift from us she said "Oh, a funny sweatshirt" and then she quickly tried to say "Thank You. Not funny Tina!" and put it back in the sack.  Only her parents knew that we purposefully got her the ugliest pull over we could find for a 14 year old so they both told her, "You must try it on Derian, it's only polite."

Kudo's to Derian as not many kids would put this on while their family and friends were standing all around.  She is a GREAT sport!  Derian told me later, "I'm going to get you back Aunt Tina."  I look forward to it too.

Derian's basketball team did very well this year and it was great to see how much she improved over last year.

Her awareness of where the ball was, her players and generally the whole court was fun to watch.

IT'S STARTED?!

Yes, Cole and his first "sport's" poster.

 Yeah, he watches volleyball...sure.

(He had no idea why I took this picture.  I'll get a lecture later I'm sure)

Zentangle

Jo's teacher at school started having the kids do this relaxation technique where they just randomly draw within a square.

I LOVE THIS!  I told Jo that people pay money for greeting cards that look like this.  I'm hoping she continues to draw and create.

Gingerbread Houses

Ms. Swift came for dinner and to help the kids build their ginger bread houses that Aunt Tricia gave them.

Fun was had by all and many candies were eaten during construction.

They could hardly wait to eat it.

I wouldn't think it would taste good, but what do I know.

Birthday Dinner with McBee's

Francis and Oma have Birthdays just days apart so we had a nice dinner with them to celebrate. (These are our neighbors from our old house)

Daughter Kristy, her son Chuck, Oma, Jo, Cole, Mom, Francis & Dale.

Oma is 45!

And nothing says Happy Birthday like a 5 Guys burger with a candle in it!

Oh, and family smiling with you to celebrate!

And we finally got to see a nice picture of Andrew.

He is in our thoughts every day.

Andrew, your eyes don't look so innocent any longer.