Jameson Hits 17

Down by the River

We made our first trip as a family down to the Columbia River a couple days ago, just to walk a ways along the water on the Vancouver side.  It'll be fun to go back sometime when the weather is warmer. Some amazing houses on the bluff overlooking the Gorge! Mount Hood was beautiful right behind the kids but it didn't show up in the picture, unfortunately.

Jameson's Sound of Music

Jameson's trying something brand new this fall . . . choir at King's Way Christian High School!  Last Monday was his first performance.  They did six songs so I randomly chose one to post here.  We're so proud of him for venturing out a bit beyond his normal comfort zone.

World Premiere Video Here!

Here it finally is . . . a video slideshow of our big Both Hands adoption fundraising project from Saturday.  And catch this:  It features four brand new pictures of Jillian that we received just today.  They were taken last week.  We also got some updated info about her that was very encouraging and I'll share some of that here on the blog in the next day or so.  One month for today, we depart for China!

It's Done!

Saturday was our big Both Hands project and it was a fine success.  The weather was perfect, we had an awesome team that worked long and hard, and I think it turned out very well.  I will post only a few photos here because soon I'll be able to put up a video that shows the project more completely.  To everyone who helped, I don't think we can say thank you loud enough or often enough.  We appreciate your sacrifice!

First Day of School 2012

Jameson and Melody, ready to head off for

11th and 2nd grade respectively.

 

 One last hug from Phillip before starting the day.

And ready to go . . .

Something Old Becomes Something New

When we moved to Vancouver from Indiana, my mom gave us their old dining room table and chairs, which had been part of our family for as long as I can remember . . . at least back to 1964, I imagine.  I wish I had a "before" picture to include here but I don't have time to hunt for one.  Anyway, last week, Jordan repaired the burned spot and Jeannette painted the entire set a glossy black.  Here is the result!

Just a Few Shots from Last Weekend's Trip to Seattle

All Together Now for Mother's Day

Jordan and I picked up Phil in Chicago last night and brought him home from college, arriving in Fort Wayne around 4:30 AM. This meant that Jeannette didn't get to go to church with all her kids this morning but we tried to make up for it by taking her to Red Robin for lunch. It was the first time we've all been together since January. Melody exclaimed, "We're a family again!"

Phil gave her some silk pajamas . . . I have her some dark chocolate and the final season of 24 on DVD . . .

Jordan gave her a certificate for dinner and a movie . . .

Melody got her a new toe ring . . .

Fifteen soon

Jameson's 15th birthday is just days away so we had a mini-celebration today. Jameson had to make do with Pizza Hut and chocolate cake and a t-shirt about how awesome he is . . .

Jordan brought in one of his old longboards and told Jameson that it was his gift from us so that he could learn to ride. Jameson wasn't sure what to make of that and tried to act like it was a good gift.

When they brought out the big Nerf gun we bought him, though, he knew he had been punked . . .

And, of course, he and Jordan put it to good use right away . . .

(I'm not sure what to make of Jordan wearing a full motorcycle helmet for a Nerf gun war!)

Happy Easter

After a great Easter morning service at Blackhawk Ministries, we came home for dinner--can you say ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, green beans, croissants, fruit salad, deviled eggs, juice with raspberry sherbet and some sort of great ice cream cake for dessert?--with Jordan's girlfriend and her family. But before we could eat, we had to get a little Easter egg hunt out of the way for Miss Melody . . .

Christmas Season Snaps

I just have not had time to keep this blog up . . . I doubt too many people are even checking it any more! Nonetheless, here is a collection of photos, in somewhat random order, from the last few weeks.

With my new friend, Craig Crook. I was surprised at how few people at the party had ever heard of the town of Palmer, Alaska. Surprised? Devastated is a more accurate word for it.

Melody enjoyed holding Craig's new baby, William . . .

Jameson, warming his toes by the fire . . .

Our gift from my mom, sister and her husband . . .

Jeannette's new sweater . . .

Jameson got a couple of Nerf swords for Christmas. I was shocked at how much fun they were!

The gift Melody really wanted . . . swimming pool Barbie, with the pool and dogs, from cousin Alexia . . .

This shot is especially for Aunt Laura, to show off Melody's new outfit . . .