Funny kid...

I took Gabriel Christmas shopping. He bought gifts for everyone, but Dad. He asked me "What would Dad like for Christmas?". I said "Peace and quiet". Gabe responded, " Let's get him duck tape!"

November 09

We finally had the chance for someone to take a picture of all of us together.
One of these days we'll actually get a family picture taken. Until then, this will have to do.

Halloween...a little late

Gabriel as "Snake Eyes"

Valerie (dark hair) and her friend, Jenna

Yvette (right) and her friends

Christopher, the Gatekeeper

With Grandma's passing, I didn't get Halloween pix posted. All the kids dressed up and had a good time. Valerie decorated the house and did a good job. She also did make up for the kids. It was a fun night.

Valerie set up a strobe light...looks cool

Happy Birthday Yvette

Today Yvette is 14...it's hard to believe. She was only 5 when she came to live with us. It's a real challenge having 2 teenage girls in the house and certainly never boring! Yvette is very talented. She's artistic and athletic. These things come naturally to her. This year she is doing cheer and is the school mascot. She will start horseback riding in a few weeks. She has a very strong will that will serve her well in the future, but is a real challenge to her parents right now. Yvette didn't have an easy start to her life and it presents challenges to her every day. Her dad and I and her sister and brothers want her to have a happy life and to be able to enjoy the world. But, she is 14 and so what that means to her and what that means to us are vastly divergent. We love you Yvette.

Grandma

December 3, 1921- October 27, 2009

We miss you.

Farewell

The top picture is our new 2010 Prius. The bottom picture is our 2004 Prius. It died this week...the engine seized...couldn't be revived without buying a new engine. It had 146,7oo plus miles on it and we drove it for over 5 years. I was on a mission to drive it until it reached at least 200,000. It drove as well on the last day as it did on the first day(that is until that final moment when the engine seized). I hated to see it go. The new Prius is pretty nice...lots of new technology. I'm so happy I was able to transfer the hybrid plate so I can still drive in the carpool lane. I drive 35 miles each way to work and last week when I had a rental I was very unhappy watching all the cars zip by in the carpool lane while I was stuck with the masses in the regular lanes. Tomorrow will be much more fun going to work...new car and carpool lane. Life will be good.

10 years old already!!!

This is Gabe on his 3rd birthday. His second birthday with us and the first birthday in our new home. He turned 10 on Sept 3. He is such a nice boy. He is very thoughtful and very inquisitive. He loves being a Cub Scout and is very excited to be a Weblo. He loves to work on scouting awards. At Christopher's first pack meeting as a Cub Scout someone was getting their Arrow of Light Award and they were being presented a banner with all their badges and belt loops. Gabe's eyes got so big when he saw all that 'bling'. He wanted to earn all those awards. He is always working on earning a new belt loop. Now that he's in Weblos, he's very exctied to be able to earn pins. He loves to read, play his Ninentendo, learn about science and collect just about anything. He has a really good sense of humor and loves to have fun.