On Wednesday December 17th, we had the privilage of watching James and Kenzie preform in their middle school band concert. Both have improved very well. This video segment is of James and the symphonic band. Unfortunatly the video of Kenzie in beginning band didn't work. We are very proud of the work they have done and the improvement they have made. (James is the middle trombone player in this video.)

We had quite an enjoyable evening last night as we watched Cami and the Senior Choir preform. Cami has gone to school early one day a week for the last 2 1/2 months to prepare for last night. Here is just one of the songs they preformed

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Happy Halloween.

It was a beautiful, windy yet warm night. James decided to stay at home and hand out candy, Kenzie and Cami took off around the nieghborhood together and Mark and I were able to go with Livi around the nieghborhood. It was the first time since James and Kenzie were yound that we were able to go out together. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the night.

I just wanted to share with all of you the wonderful garden Mark grew for us this year. He so enjoys getting out into the dirt early in the spring. This year the spring was wet and then cold and then wet. Because of this our garden was planted late, but we still had a wonderful harvest and I have processed many a quarts of different tomato products. We still have many more picking yet to come. We have enjoyed the fresh green beans (hidden in the picture they are behind the tomato palnts) and the fresh corn was great. I love growing the peppers and putting them in everything the children will let me. It's been a wonderful growing year and I have learned many new recipies as I've tried to use all the wonderful vegetables we have been blessed with.

                                

Tonight was science night at the middle school. For the last week James and Kenzie have been working on their projects. (We're only on our 12th day of school by the way.) James needed to make a rocket that would go the farthest distance, and Kenzie needed to make a car that would go the farthest distance.

Both James and Kenzie were in the top 3 in their class and made it to the evening compition. Above is a picture of Kenzie's car rolling down the "track".
     

Above left, is a picture of James' rocket as it flew away from us. It went 140 meters tonight. (His rocket is that little dot.) Above right, is a picture of his rocket after several launchings. It's a little dirty and a lot dented. It made several "stuck" landings with the nose burried into the ground.

At the award cermony we learned that Kenzie won 3rd place tonight. She went 6.8 meters tonight, but it went 13.6 meters during class.

Livi was so excited for her first day of kindergarten that she woke up early. Since she is in afternoon kindergatern, she was very early waking up. We spent the morning playing together and using her excited energy. Livi kept asking all day "Is it time to go yet?" She was worried about being late. After school she was so worn out that on our walk home she didn't want to share with me what she did on her first day, she wanted to wait for dad and tell us both at the same time. My little girl has grown up!

We are now in our second week of school moving along great. James and Kenzie are enjoying middle school and Cami is enjoying her new  4th grade teacher as well. Olivia is looking foreward to her first day of school tommrow. Wow what a big kindergartener she'll be.

James, Kenzie, Cami and Livi in fornt of "Bruce" at Thankgiving Point.  We don't really think the great white is named Bruce, but it reminded them of Bruce from "Finding Nemo".