Beautiful

DSC_0074_2, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Prom 2012

DSC_0004_2, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

J. and her date

 A lot of time was spent reading on the porch,

 and reading on the beach,

 cuddling,

 and playing in the sand.

Spring Break 2012

Our high school marching band went to Disney to perform just before our spring break began.  I. is in the marching band (alto sax) and we, like many families, met her in Orlando and stayed in Florida for the rest of spring break.  The first day we visited Seaworld.  The shows were spectacular, unbelievable and amazing.  However, the weather was very hot, and there weren't many attractions available for children under 42" tall, so the majority of the day was long and frustrating.  I have never been a huge amusement park fan, and I have since realized that I just DON'T enjoy them.  Long lines, excessive prices, exhaustion...We departed around dinner time for Vero Beach where we rented a house for the rest of the week.  Here is our view from the porch.  That's right--water front!  The owners did an amazing job of having the house outfitted for a large group beach vacation.  The house is on stilts and underneath there is a lot of storage for beach toys, as well as 2 shower stalls with hot water.  It has a porch that wraps around 3 sides of the house, and coolers that remain on the porch, a hose on the path from the beach to wash feet.  The main house has 2 bedrooms and one bath, and there are 2 other bedroom "pods" attachéd to the porch but not to the main house, which each have sleeping for 5-6 and a bathroom and TV.  They are basically bunk rooms for  kids.  Fantastic layout!  And very reasonably priced.

Tornado

On Mar. 15, 2012, an F3 tornado struck the small town we live in.  Remarkably, although many homes were badly damaged or entirely destroyed, no one was badly injured or killed.  We were home, in our basement, taking cover.  The tornado went right by us--we heard the "freight train" sound--but did not touch our home or property.  It literally came down our road, knocking down almost every tree for a 2 mile stretch, but for some reason skipped over our house and several others.  Sadly, the tree line road with a beautiful canopy of leaves is entirely demolished--our local landscape will never be the same.  Once again, we can't be thankful enough that not only was our home and family spared, but so were the 200 year old oaks in our front yard.  We live across the road from a large metro park, and it looks as though a giant rampaged through it tearing handfuls of trees out.  Entire sections of forest are leveled.

Marathon

In Mar. 2012 Daryl ran his first marathon in Napa Valley, CA.  I went to cheer him along (and enjoy the wine!).  Here he is at the finish!

Zs 4th birthday

Here is Z. on her 4th birthday (Jan. 2012).  Among other things, she received a ukelele as a gift.

Ring Redone

As part of my Christmas gift, we had my wedding ring done.  It was much too small and in very bad shape, so I hadn't worn it in several years.  The new ring is a wide band of rose gold with leafy cutouts.  The top and bottom are banded with a row of alternating tiny circle cutouts and tiny diamonds.  The two paisley shaped antiqued swirls on either side of the diamond are my original setting, which I had mounted on the rose gold base.  The original setting is yellow gold.  And of course, in the middle is the diamond.

Legally Ours!

In late November we had our day in court with M. and Z. and the judge proclaimed them legally ours!  She also approved their name changes, so now we all match.  Here they are dressed for court.

Heading Outside

Despite the fact that we had almost no snow this winter, there was at least one occasion when they all donned jackets, boot, snow pants, hats and gloves to go play.  Here is A. (back row) M. and Z.

First Day of School 2011

J., L, and I. on the first day of high school this year.

Halloween 2011

I'm just going to randomly post things from different points in time since it seems like too much effort to make them chronological at this point.Here is Z.being a Halloween princess.

M. was a pumpkin, the traditional 2 year old costume, which was worn by ALL of his older siblings.

Publishing

Hi internet friends!  I want to continue/resume blogging but would also like to print hard copies so it's a journal my family will have to keep some day.  Can I do this on blogger or any ideas about websites where I can?  Comment away...