'Tis the Season

...for choir concerts...

Maisyn is a member of the Victor Falls Elementary choir.  They were able to perform their holiday songs at the Sumner Fire Station during their pancake breakfast.

They also took a field trip to the BL Senior Center and the Cedar Ridge Retirement community where they performed the entire show for two more crowds.  Oma was in town for this trip, so we all went along.  Porter enjoyed seeing Maisyn on a school day!

Sydney and Riley are both in the choirs at Mountainview.  Both groups performed on the same night and Grandpa and Oma were both able to be there. 

The Lady Panthers '09-'10

Payton made the JV team again this year.  We have been enjoying another round of games with this team.  A few new players joined this year.  So far,  they are undefeated in the league.  Varsity has lost one game this season.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for State this year.  Too bad JV can't move on- they seem to be the team to beat!  Go Panthers!

Volleyball Season

Maisyn played Parks and Rec volleyball for the first time this year. And we discovered she is quite the natural. I guess growing up on the sideline watching her sisters play their sports is an amazing teacher.  She learned a lot on this team.  She has a great overhand serve and can bump it with ease.  Their team only lost one match this season and we look forward to another great record next year.  Way to go, Mais!

One of the birthday girls.

The day after we got back from our Utah trip was my birthday. Wooohooo! 37. Got new jammies from Maisyn. A beautiful picture frame full of Florida/Disney memories, organization baskets for the kitchen and, if I can remember correctly, dinner out my hubby. It was good to be home to celebrate with the family.

But the day after that... now that is the day to remember. Riley's 14th. Gifts galore. Grandparents over for dinner. A chocolate-Snickers cake. And just fun, fun, fun.

Then.... Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
Payton and Karissa decided to throw her a big surprise party. I guess one party just isn't enough these days. Syd and Maisyn were in on it, too. Lots of secrets to keep this girl in the dark! So she got the last shift for helping me at a holiday boutique I was doing, and we arrived home to a house full! As always, lots of food, plenty of friends plus an entire evening of goofing around outside in the cold equals good times had by all. Happy birthday, Riley! Until next year.....

While the parents are away....

Yes, the kiddies will play. We are glad they did. Impressive how well they took care of each other, really. AND impressive how many pictures can be taken on a first visit to the new local Sonic!

It was great that Grandpa played along. And that all the kids plus Grandma and Grandpa made it to Maisyn's first ever volleyball game- since we couldn't be there! They won and we got to hear all about it over the phone.

What a blessing these cell phones really are. We got to chat with the girls all week, any time of the day or night. Remember what it was like to make sure you had a quarter in your pocket when you left home? Phone calls aside, we still missed the kids a lot. (Maybe not quite as much as Porter did, but a lot!)