Madrigals

 

Another of my Christmas traditions is going to watch my sons in their high school Madrigals performance. We usually go with one or both sides of grandparents and no kids, as we didn't think the kids were old enough to appreciate the almost 2 hours of music! Last night we took the kids to the dress rehearsal to listen to a couple of songs and they LOVED it! Some of them didn't even want to go, but once we were there, they ALL wanted to stay! They sounded great! 

Shawn and I  have tickets for the dessert tomorrow, 

but now we know that next year we will be buying tickets for everyone!

Nutcracker

Katie and I have made going to the Nutcracker an annual tradition

 and this year Sophie got to join us.

We got all dressed up and took pictures.

I had read the story to them again just last night, and explained to Sophie about how the ballet tells the story without words. They just dance. I thought I had done such a good job preparing her!

When we arrived quite early (can you believe it!) we got to our seats, 

which were in row 2, Sophie asked me,
"Where do we dance?" 

She thought SHE was going to dance in the Nutcracker!

When I told her that THEY were going to dance on the stage right there,

and WE were going to sit and WATCH in these seats,  

she said, "Then why am I wearing this dress?"

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!
We had my sister's family and my parents over for Thanksgivingl
Look at all of us!
And we didn't even get Anna and Rohit
 (Ryan's girlfriend and college roommate) in the picture!

It was so nice and warm out. There was a football game,
of course!

We have so much to be thankful for!

God's blessings are evident! 

Thank you, God!

Happy 20th Birthday, Matt & Ryan!

Our twins are 20! 

No longer teenagers!

Ok, this makes me feel old!

It is so nice that their birthday is right before Thanksgiving,

 so they are usually home from college.

We took them to our favorite pizza place, Tobins!

We left the youngest ones at home in the capable hands of their big brothers, 

Josh and Jake so we could enjoy some time with these guys!

Ryan brought his roommate, Rohit, and his girlfriend, Anna, 

home with him for fall break.

  

Matt & Emily both go to school locally,
so we are lucky to get to see them for a few minutes from time to time!

We went to the mall after pizza and took some pictures at Mom's request!

This seems to be a traditional pose!

Post Surgery

I'm back!
Back home.
Back from Cincinnati.
Done with surgery.
And getting back. to. normal.
Getting there.

We decided to post all the "details" of surgery on Sophie's carepages page, which many of you followed. But here's a quick update of us "post surgery".

The surgery was "successful". We think. We are still are working through post surgery changes and some of them have knocked us on our keister! Sophie has dealt with a lot of pain, some trying times, and has come through it all with flying colors....if you don't count those minutes where....well.....it really..... stunk!

So a month later we are working our way back to "normal". And getting there for most hours of the day anyway!

She continues to dance and laugh and giggle and just plain be happy, fun and a total blessing to us! More on that hopefully soon, as tomorrow is her 9 month anniversary!