Haley is 7!!!

Haley's Party

Yesterday was my niece Haley's birthday, and we got to spend it with her. (I love that part about being back in Colorado.) She had 8 little 7 yr olds over for a party and most stayed for the sleepover. There was lots of shrieking, giggling, running and even crying, and at 8:30, we got to go back home to a quiet house.

At times like this I think back to when Mallory and Jillian were that age and remember how much fun it was. I also think about how much fun right now is. I use to worry that as they got older I wouldn't have as much input in their lives and wouldn't get to spend as much time with them. It's really not like that at all. They may not need us in the same way as they did when they were 7, and we may not get to spend the same amount of time together. However, if I look closely, I see some amazing small moments with them.

Here's a list of a few of the ones that I value:

1. Praying with them each night before they go to bed and knowing that they expect that

2. Driving in the car with them - especially if it's just one of them

3. Crowding in the bathroom when we're all trying to get ready to go somewhere

4. Doing their hair for school or special occassions

5. Shopping (I LOVE having girls!)

6. Celebrating their achievements with coffee and dessert

7. Watching movies on the couch

The Wizard of Oz

The Girls
Love them!

Awww

Lisa, Jilly & Desi

Lisa (the Wicked Witch) & Jilly
Desi & Jilly - in the Emerald City

Lisa (the Wicked Witch) & Alex (Dorothy)

The guards in the Emerald City

Alex, Jilly & Lisa

Every year the 6th graders at Westridge Elementary perform a musical directed by the music teacher (Bruce Cole), and this year's performance was The Wizard of Oz. They auditioned before Christmas break, started working on it when they returned in January and six weeks later, the show is on. I got a "sneak peak" (and took pics) this afternoon when they did the dress rehearsal for the school. They were awesome!

40 + 1

Mallory & Haley
Lexie & Jilly

Grammie, Mallory & Haley

Mike & Jenny

Matt & Jana

My birthday is the day after Valentine's Day and in the US is usually around President's Day, so I feel like it's one big holiday wrapped up in one. Last year since it was a "big" one, Peter and I went to Napa Valley for the weekend with 8 other friends. We had an amazing time, and realized during that trip that everyone (except for 1 person) had visited us in Australia - some of them more than one time.

This year the celebration was not such a big event but no less special - dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, New Saigon, with the people I love the most - my family.

Spring Soccer

They got to pick their numbers, and Jilly's birthday is on the 15th.

Mallory (with Haley in her lap)

You wouldn't know it from the picture, but she does watch the game and cheer for her sister.

We just got the email from Jillian's soccer coach signalling the start of the new spring season. Soccer is not her first love - that would be field hockey, but it's something she's grown to love. She is on a team with awesome girls both in ability and attitude, fun parents who keep the game in perspective, and a great coach who is developing skills in the girls individually and as a team. GO FIREBALLS!!!

Sol Vista Weekend

Peter, Mallory (the tall one), Joy & Jillian (Bean as her friends call her)
The Papay Family
Bree, Heather, Scott, Mason, Amelia & Gage
The Ezman Family
Tracee, Logahn, Terry, Austin & Aaron
The Wilkin Family
well...really only Brian & Sharolyn
More of the Wilkin Family
Anna & Sharolyn
(apparently we could not find all of them at once to actually take a family picture)
Scotch & Cigars - "apres skiing"
Logahn, Jilly & Anna

Mallory & her friend Sara

Mallory & Jilly

Don't ask!

Spending time with our LifeGroup is one of the things we love best to do as a family. Last weekend we went to Sol Vista with the Wilkins, Papays and Ezmans. The weather was beautiful; the skiing was fun; the food was yummy; the kids (all 13 of them) were great; the ladies were victorious (in Taboo); and the most important part, the company, was amazing.

Australia Day - Colorado Style

January 26 is Australia Day, and since it fell on a Monday this year, we celebrated on Saturday the 24th with family, friends (new & old), neighbors and some of Peter's co-workers. In the spirit of the holiday, we asked everyone to dress in "seasonal attire" - easy for us since we didn't have to actually leave the house, but probably not so fun for some at the end of a cold night. Great sports though!

We had Aussie beer & wine, Tim Tams, Crunchies, Maltesers, Curly Wurlys, fruit mince pies w/ custard, vegemite sandwiches, fairy bread and of course, pavlova. We tried to find party pies and know that next year we will have to order early.

I love having parties and love the way our house filled with people from so many different parts of our lives. We are blessed with great friends!

Christmas 2008

I was afraid the stockings would fall off once they were filled, so I laid them on the ground. The two on the far right belong to Milo & Holden (in that order).Jillian asked for a silver dainty necklace, and I think she got at least three.

Every year we choose books for the girls. This year we picked one they wanted and one we wanted them to have.

Even though we don't do the Christmas Eve thing with jammies like some families, they still get a new pair every year.

Mallory has been asking & pleading & begging for a keyboard to put in her room. The small package fooled them both...

...but not for long. Mallory knew immediately what it was...

...and here she is playing the new present from Dad & Mom - though it won't take up residency in her room.

Chillin after the excitement is over.

At Grammies house

Jilly & Mal in front of Grammie's tree

Mallory got a new camera from Santa and took lots of pictures. This one is with Haley. Carrie made amazing balloon animals & people for the girls.

Just hangin out before the "battle of the gifts" begins.

We did a family "Chinese Gift Exchange" at the end of the evening, and this is before it (Jana) got competitive and crazy!

The limit was $10 for a gift, and Adam put $10 worth of pennies in a box.

Candle & Veet?!?!?!?!

There are not limits, so Tyler stole these from a 6 year old.If Matt had listened to Jana he might not have ended up with the make-up kit.

Peter was the 1st person and then got to make the final choice. He ended up with the bottle of red wine, and Jilly ended up with the marshmallow shooter he has in his hand.

The older grandkids - Carrie, Courtney, Brad, Ty & TJ

Mallory & Carrie

Jilly & Carrie

Well Christmas and New Year have come and gone, and I am just now getting around to posting something. The pictures tell our story. For us it was simply all about celebrating Jesus with family and friends.