Long Overdue

The last six weeks or so have been very crazy, sad, busy, and fun around here. I haven't done a real post on here in all that time. I am taking the time tonight to give you a quick update through pictures and captions. Here you go:

Logan and Jackson's school has Fall and Spring Concerts. Your grade determines which you participate in. This year, Jackson was in the Fall Concert. It was a tribute to our Veterans!

Singing with his classmates.

Everyone dressed in their red, white, and blue finery. Keira was no exception...Here you see her very first ever piggie tails!!

The day after Thanksgiving is the kick off to the holidays in our town. We attended the annual bridge lighting with the kids. There are hot drinks, treats, singing, a parade, lights, and this year FIREWORKS! The kids sort of cooperated to have their picture by the vintage firetruck:P

The beautiful bridge. Afterwards we went to dinner with Christa, Ruben, Mariah, Vincent and Ruben's nephew Jay, his fiancee Lauren, and their daughter Bethany.

Life was extra busy this year due to our family's participation in our church Christmas program. The boys are in it every year...but this year Keira had a special role. I volunteered to help with costume changes, etc. Well, the director decided to have Christa and I help her teach the kids the songs/dances. That ended up being us doing (I think) 7 songs between us. Then the director went on vacation the week before the program...Leaving Mom, Christa, and I in charge of the kids. Then, having decided to learn to sew, I decided to make Keira's costume. Yes...I'm nuts.

Tevyn, Logan, and Jackson singing one of their "solos." Jackson had a speaking part, plus the boys had 3 or 4 "solos." Apparently they think they can count on our family...go figure. :P

Yup...you're seeing right. The toddlers did the Nativity this year. Keira was a sweet Mary to her baby Jesus:) So in addition to creating Keira's costume, I ended up somehow making the two shepherd costumes, also. I say create, because I had to make my own pattern. Thankfully someone donated the fabric to me.

Casey in his shepherd costume.

Keira as Mary. What do you think? I did these after only having been sewing for about three weeks...Thanks Kimmie for teaching me on that other project!

Last night after Keira and I went grocery shopping, we ran home to pick the "boys" up. Our friends Mel and Dave were running a neighborhood 5K. It was a nighttime "Tour de Lights." We raced over to snap some pictures, and cheer them at the finish. Apparently it didn't end up being a full 5K. But they had fun anyway:) In June Mel, another friend Charity, and I are running in the Race for the Cure Seattle. Which means I need to start running again:P Mel is a super friend, and a GREAT runner. She is preparing for multiple races this year including some full and half marathons! She has her own blog called Tall Mom on the Run...check it out!

Mel and Dave at the finish:) Aren't they cute?!

So there you have it folks. And this is just the stuff I have pictures of! Hope you enjoyed this little update. We had another shooting of police officers here last night. This makes three officer shootings in Western WA in the last seven weeks. These deputies were actually coworkers of my dad. Please say a prayer for them, and their families, as they fight for their lives.