Makings of March

Our Fair Town

Home sweet Home. A picture for our missionary far away from home.

The first buds of Spring. Pretty for the eye and for the soul.

McKay asked that we send him some pictures of home to show others where he lived and what it is like here. We took a few shots that made it to the blog book too.  It was a little bit of a cloudy day, but here it is... Prosser from above.

The rolling hills aren't always the prettiest, but they are a part of what we see. 

Things are starting to green up. There is the Yakima and if you look close you can see our house. 

From the bridge, on the Yakima.

Our little road looks so quaint in a picture.  But it sure has a lot of potholes and makes our cars always very dirty. 

NHD (National History Day)

Years ago McKay and Brinn started the "tradition" of participating in NHD.  James and Kate have now followed.  It has proven to be a wonderful thing for each of our children that have been a part of it. It teaches them valuable skills that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn.  It is fun to be with a group of kids that values history and learning.  It has truly been a highlight in the kids education and experience in school.  They are able to start being a part of it in 6th grade and continue for as long as they want in high school

James and his friend Giovanni Bardessono did a "group skit" about John Goldmark.  Here they are waiting for the judges to  allow them to begin their introductions and performance.  They did a great job and were picked 2nd to move onto state.

James has always chosen to go with topics/people that are less well known.  He finds an interesting topic and can't be swayed to change.  And that has seemed to serve him well.  He has always done well in whatever category he chooses. 

Here are the handsome performers handing out the copies of the script, bibliography, etc.  And just looking good for the judges.

The kids spend a lot of time hanging out in their room with all the other NHD kids from Prosser.  This year they had 77 kids participate.  It's cool to be smart.  And James charmed the girls by wearing his shorts, nice shirt, and switching out bow ties regularly.  Why?  Cause he's unique. :)

Jeemin Choi, Aspen Peters, and Kate meet the judges and hand off their performance papers.

Stressful set up... will it all work?

The "dirty" star of the show after practice.  How does she create the dirt look you ask?, cocoa of course.

I can smell it...

Can you smell it??? I smell baseball in the air!

Yup, It's baseball time. And Trev can't get enough of it already.

Randomness...

Trev found the camera again, but I couldn't help posting this one because it shows our awesome stools.  I love them.  They are so colorful and fun, for some cheap, once ugly stools. Amazing what a little spray paint can do and a missionary just trying to keep busy until his time to go.
 Thank you Mckay.

Trev is my best helper. And when it comes to chopping the onions he isn't taking any chances. Protection from the crying eyes... he's got this.

This won't always be cute, so you might as well snap a pic while it is. He has learned one of his dad's favorite quotes well, "the world is our urinal".  Lucky boys.

Bryson shows signs of spring fever?!

Trev was happy to pose his cute little face while Brinn tried out her new camera.

Happy New Year 2015

I will be the epitome of never giving up on something as I attempt to do this blog. I have decided a new angle.  At the end of each month I will calendar a day to blog the events of just the month.  Trying to catch up gives me heartburn, though I have hopes.  For now, start here AGAIN, one day, once a month.  The hundreds of other things begging for my time will just have to wait.  We'll see if I succeed.


We invited some of our favorite guests and friends the Smiths.  We had a great time playing, celebrating and welcoming in the new year.

 Happy New Year with the Smith's.

Watching the ball drop for the big countdown. 

Getting ready to pull the confetti streamers.

Sadie Smith, Kate, James, Andrew- back row
Trevin and Bryson in front.

Out comes the silly string and noise makers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Poor Genene Smith was resting on the couch and became the main
target of the silly string!

Brinn's Talent Strikes again..

Brinn created this painting for her good friend Micheal Rodriguez

And the subtle Star Wars pieces.

Happy Birthday James.  It's #14!

Requested crepe breakfast for the birthday boy and his brothers.

Such a handsome pack!

Presents!  Which comes with the lovely assistants.

The suspense is palpable. :) 

Bryson was so proud when his balloon shot right into the picture,

A very nice fishing pole, a wood model, an electric toothbrush and sweatshirt.  I think he's loved and spoiled.  And worth it! He's a keeper even if he's 14.

James loves the piano guys, orange jello, french bread, suspense books, his kindle.  He loves bowties, baseball, and trivia crack.  He enjoys, history, math and science.  He is a good boy.  He is especially good to his brothers.  He apparently has many onlookers... girls... that drool over him.  

Things I love:  Siblings playing happily together, and getting a Christmas gift right.  We've seen lots of Zoob creations at our house.

The Bryson, The Trev, and the James!  They really do love each other so much.

Zoob creations! Taken at the request of the creators!

And then sometimes you don't need a gift. Trev entertained himself for quite sometime winding the vacuum around and dragging chairs and various other things with him. And even a pic in what we call his "slicks". They've been around since McKay. I'll never be able to get rid of them.