November 2015~by Beth

November tends to be about celebrating Thanksgiving.  We had a lot to look forward to this month. Early in the month we traveled over to Miami, twice.  First was for Johanna's Surgery Reunion banquet.  We had 4 tickets to use, so Hannie chose Abigail to come with us.  We had dinner and a short program in the Tree Top Ballroom.  Then we had tickets for Jungle Island right next door.  It was so much fun and a great celebration of what the Brain Institute at Miami Children's Hospital has accomplished in 30 years of doing surgery on children.  It was also almost one year since Johanna had her brain surgery.

Outside the ballroom looking at the cruise ships on the water in Miami

gifts from Miami Children's Hospital

Our beloved Dr. Hyslop with Johanna

Five days later Johanna and I traveled to Miami again for her one year check up.  She did great and is starting her final weaning off of medication.  It will take 6 months in all.  Jonathan and the rest of the family headed to Ft Pierce for the volleyball state championship.  Johanna and I drove up the coast after her appointment in Miami, missing only chapel and one game.

 On Thanksgiving morning 4 of the children ran in the annual 5k Turkey Trot.  Here they are with some friends.

Johanna and Abigail's first 5k

Christiana on the last leg of the race.

Johanna and Abigail nearing the finish.

 After we got home and cleaned up, it was time to take our family photos.  Just looking at this photo reminds us of how much we have for which to be thankful to God.

The day after Thanksgiving we took the whole crew swimming.  David was house sitting again so we were able to use our friends' pool.  The highlight, besides having fun with all the little people, was the water gun fight between Nathan and his dad.  I have some funny videos of those.

Jon and Stephen

Christiana and Lydia

Abigail

Nathan nails Stephen

Stephen and Lydia by the fish pool

Audrey learned to swim,  Christiana and Sophia

Audrey bear

Nathan in his element

November ends with the first Sunday in Advent.  Here is Stephen lighting the first Advent candle.

October 2015~by Beth

October was busy too.  I worked again early voting for a week.  We also had a fun day with Joel and Kelsey at their community pool.  Here are a few pictures.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Katie was taking some great family photos of Nathan's family for a project for a mug I was making him for Christmas.  His little girls are so adorable.  Here are a few selected pictures of that.

Next are some photos of some of the girls in their volleyball games.  Some of the teams have outdoor courts, making it easier to get pictures with the right lighting.

Our four volleyball players: Christiana, Charity, Emma and Johanna

Towards the end of the month I took the kiddos to a military museum that we have in town.  We were studying WWII this month, so we concentrated on that part of the museum.  Next we went to a Pumpkin Patch where they also got to play a bunch of fun little games and earn a candy prize. 

On the 25th of the month we celebrated Abigail's 10th birthday.  David got the cake from his bakery and it was super good.  He went a little big on the size, so we were giving away cake after that, but it wasn't hard since it was so delicious.

After 2 years of braces, Christana and Emma finally got them off.  Here is a before and after photo

At the very end of the month the kids went to a golf outing.  There is a pool at the club house.  Here is Stephen practicing floating, which I had taught him this past Summer.

September 2015~by Beth

September always seems to get us going strong in the school year and with our sports season getting going.  I began the month by working early voting again.  Simultaneously Christiana, Charity and Emmaline went to a Journey to the Heart retreat.  They were so blessed to go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where the temps were much cooler than where we live, and the leaves were beginning to change for a 10 day retreat.  They made lots of great friends and memories, but more importantly they drew much  closer to their Lord and Savior Jesus.  They flew out on a Saturday, getting up early to finish all their packing.  Here they are with all their things in the living room.

 Meanwhile, Johanna participated in the Jamboree for volleyball (and football for the guys).  This was her first year playing volleyball.  When the 3 girls returned they also practiced with and played on the team.

 Dave celebrated his 19th birthday.  Since he graduated from high school in May he started a job in the morning washing dishes at a bakery.  Along with reffing for at least 3 leagues, (recreational, competitive, and now high school) he keeps busy.  He has a goal of saving enough to attend the International ALERT Academy next Fall.

 While the girls were still away I tried a recipe that I found on Pinterest.  This was the spaghetti squash baking.  After slicing it and scooping out all the seeds and pulp, I baked them for 30 minutes.  When they were done and cooled a bit, I peeled and shredded them and added to it bacon and wilted spinach along with a type of dressing and feta cheese.  It was yummy.

 Had to get a refrigerator during this time too.  The one in the garage died.  We put the new one in the house and the old one from the house into the garage.