So big . . .

Sweet Claire keeps growing and growing.

Here she is at one of our fun babysitting dates.

She's about 8 months in these pics.

 

 

 

She has stolen my heart!



Lax bro

Parting of being a senior is have a lot of 'lasts' - sigh.  Here's Chap at his last home lax game, bidding farewell to a high school sport that he's loved - and done very well at.

Yeah Huskies!!

 

 

PS - Daren and I don't usually wear matching shirts.  But this particular game was honoring Coach Sig - a wonderful coach from last year who died suddenly of heart disease at the end of last year's season.  Sig had a big impact on our boys - and it felt good to honor him and his family for one night, while supporting efforts to beat heart disease.



Oompa Loompa!

The best stage production of the year goes to:

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!!!

Marcy had a great time, along with lots of friends, performing as an oompa loompa.  The show was terrific - among the best we've seen done by a school.  I especially enjoyed watching with three cute great nieces - they make everything more fun!!

 



Friends + Dogs + Hiking

Daren and Marcy love hiking.  Daren and Marcy love dogs.  And Daren and Marcy (and everybody else we know) love the Birds.

So, put 'em all together, and you get the best outing ever.

 



There she goes again . . .

That Marcy - she just keeps getting straight As!!

Only this time, she was also given a unique Cornerstone award for excellent scholarship as well.  She's a keeper.

 

 

And, clearly, I'm not the only one who's impressed.

 

 



Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

One of the best parts of Daren's job is his need to travel to interesting and varied locations.  He's been to parts of the world that he never dreamed he'd go to - and, honestly, some I'd never even heard of! 

A benefit of this travel that I wasn't expecting - but have been so thrilled about - is when some of these new friends and colleagues have come to the U.S. and we can have them in our home.

Such was the case one winter evening when we had these delightful Bhutanese men come over for dinner.

We learned about their country, their language, their customs, their education system, their government, their families.  And they were interested to know about us as well.  It was an evening to remember!

 



Country Mouse, City Mouse . . .

Christmas break afforded us lots of opportunities for some good walks in a variety of places.  Sometimes, a walk in the country (here we're on the C&O canal) is the perfect activity . .

 

. . .  while other times, the sights and lights of the city are the perfect spot for a fun walk!

 

 

 

(If said walking wears you out, nothing says you can't stop for a little goodie along the way!)