Some more memories

 Will likes to help in the kitchen, even making a salad, which he won't eat. See that fire truck on the windowsill? He made it at After Nap!

 Samantha got glasses this fall!

 Fall leaves

 . . . were quickly replaced with snow.

And early, dark evenings reading by the fire.

In January, Anna Kate participated in her school's musical Aladdin. I am so impressed with what her school put together!

 And, that same weekend, we were lucky enough to have the Betts staying at our house. Junie needed a late night snack, and I, very happily, obliged.

El Paso for Christmas

For the first time since we moved to Albany, we went to El Paso for Christmas. It was (supposed to be) an early morning flight from Albany. 

But then, after pushing from the gate, waiting to be de-iced, and waiting some more, we returned to the gate because we needed maintenance on our second engine. We waited and waited and waited. We had almost 3 hours to connect in Chicago, so I wasn't worried. Will fell asleep and had a great nap - while we were sitting at the gate.

And then we arrived in Chicago after our connection had left. We waited some more at customer service. Then tried to re-book 6 passengers from Chicago to El Paso just days before Christmas. It seemed impossible. We thought we would have to get as close as possible and make up the difference. No one was happy. Everyone was tired. Everyone was hungry.

We had one shot - a flight to Atlanta, then to El Paso - but we hardly had time. And when we checked in at the desk, we were put on standby and given little hope. God intervened for us. This was, quite literally, the only flight that would get us to El Paso, and it seemed like we wouldn't get on it. And, then we did!

"El Paso, here we come." (Finally.)

It was worth it for a sky like this, with those low clouds on the mountains.

 And like this

 Sonic

 And lots more . . . .

Here's us on our way home, without Dave, who travelled earlier.

Oops

This is my oops . . . . I missed 6 months post. I have high hopes that I'll fill in the last six months in this space. We'll see!

Samantha's Sixth Birthday

Samantha Joy turned 6 on October 25. Wow! 

Our littlest girl is not so little anymore. 

She's in kindergarten this year, a whiz (right now) at math; she loves to build, move, jump - she's almost always on the go. She's a great friend to Will and her sisters. She's strong; she surprises me with her tenderness sometimes and her physicality. This year she loves orange. She only wears cotton leggings and shirts (not dresses or shirts that remind her of dresses, can't be too long or too baggy). Even though it's already cold at night, she's still sleeping in shorts and a t-shirt! 

She's taking gymnastics once a week and swimming lessons, too. 

First Day of School

Everyone started school on Wednesday, September 4. 

This year, Lucy is completing second grade at home with me.

 Anna Kate continues at a small, Christian school, in the fourth grade!!!!

 And Samantha is completing kindergarten at home with me, too.

The Last Hurrah

We met our super dear friends at the Utica Zoo for a fun-filled day before school started!

 The day before school starts for Anna Kate is always "forms day," where we drop off supplies and ensure that everything is in order for the start of school. After making our visit to the school, we stopped at the park to play . . . .enjoying the fleeting moments of free time.

Even Will wanted to help push the girls on the merry-go-round.

I know 4 months is a long time to take a break, but here are some highlights. . . . 

We missed strawberries and blueberries but made it home in time for raspberries and friends.

We spent some time with Dave's sisters, brothers and their families in Denver.

Again this year we went to Wildwood for a Cru Summer Project. Since we leave Albany five weeks before the school year finishes, we bring school work with us. To celebrate the end of a great school year, we walked to the Boardwalk and enjoyed ice cream together. We even walked home in the pouring rain.  

This year our dear friends from Albany came for a few days to visit us in Wildwood - what a treat! And a highlight. How sweet is this picture? the girls and their friend, holding hands and walking on the boardwalk - sweet! 

we swam and swam and swam at the ocean one day during their visit  . . . . boogie boards, sand castles, 

And then the boys did this on the couch

All the kids hanging out together 

I didn't take this picture of Dave at Robin's house, but I love it! 

The women staff, staff interns, and deaf interpreters for our Summer Project - a great team! 

Our students and staff

 Will at Robin's lake

Will fell in love with our friend Robin's dog, Kelly. He thought Kelly was his to take home one night, and even left crying because "where's my dog?" I thought it would be over in the morning, after a great night's sleep . . . . nope, "where's my dog?" was my good morning greeting from my little guy.

 The last couple of years in Wildwood, we have spent Father's Day morning at the fantastic Cape May Zoo. After visiting the zoo, we enjoy a picnic together. 

We had the great joy of celebrating the marriage of one of our former students in May, before we left for Wildwood. Hannah is a graduate of Sage College and was the force behind getting Cru started there. She's such a joy and her day was beautiful. Here she is with a crew of Cru students we love.