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Everything Christmas

Today we took down the Christmas Tree and decorations...I was going to wait until the new year until I realized there may not be the needed time to get everything back into storage before everything starts back up again and were back at full speed ahead. Today I put myself to getting some things ready for the new school year - there is more to do as I finish up here...so pitter patter I better get at er.

Treasure Island

I found this little clip from an over night camping trip we took with Christopher and Michael this November before Thanksgiving. It's too cute not to add to the blog...it's one of those moments where I was like a fly on the water sort of speak:)

Thanksgiving Weekend

Each time Thanksgiving roles around I feel like I am cooking a turkey for the first time...trying to remember how long to cook it and what I did last year. I can't say that we have ever had a bad turkey but I can say that this years turkey was definitely one of the best. Steve cooked it in our roaster after he marinated it in a brine overnight (in a big bucket as it thawed) So not only was it a bonus not to have to stick my hand in the thing and prep it....It was moist and had great flavor due to Steve's adventurous spirit in the kitchen. The boys did a super job of putting up the Christmas trees while I prepared all the other fixings for our feast.

Speaking of Turkeys' check out how easy it is to get a photo around here! I could keep on trying to take more but it just wouldn't help.

Timothie had to work this holiday so we missed her a bunch. I think we may wait on the decorating of the tree for her return home so we can do that together. She is a good little decorator of the Christmas Trees. We just need to find her a great job closer to home.

We realize that next year will look much different around here with the potential missionaries to be over the next 3 years...so we are cherishing all that we can...as we look forward with faith.

Dance Studio Excitement

You can see the mirrors as they were being installed in the new room. We have now had two days working in the new building. This means no more walking back and forth before and after class. All the dancers are so excited to be in our new room. The girls can now see themselves in the mirrors and they can jump on a proper surface. NOW It is time to focus on technique and performance qualities with the proper tools to do so.

Our concert is Dec 1, 2 , and 3...it is coming up too soon. This is my 6th year here. The girls who are graduating this year started in the seven grade the same year I began. I am happy they have this new space to work in for their senior year.

Here is a peak of one of the Christmas Dances intitled Mary Did You Know?

Homecoming Performance

Homecoming Weekend

So there are many first this year as we see the growth in our charter school. We were asked to perform at the halftime show of the football game. It was a very fun opportunity for the dance 4 class to perform. We hope to do some more of this during basketball season as well. Getting envovled with school spirit is fun and important and I am so blessed to get to work with such wonderful youth.

Steve's Fish Fry

for some reason I could not get this picture in with the next post....so it gets a post of it's own. This is how the fish looks when cooked.

Home

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So we just got Christopher back home from a wonderful school trip to New York and Boston. You can see he loved his time in the NBA store at Time Square. He also loved going to the Theatre to see Wicked. It was amazing he said. We were also blessed that Timothie could take time off of work and bring her homework home for a weekend visit. Timothie had to go back to her college town on Sunday afternoon where we had a big fish fry so Steve could share his fishing skills with the family it was a yummy family time! Look Nana I made your brownies.

I'm waiting very patiently

The Lights are on now. Looks like it may just be about 10 days or so....waiting now for mirrors and flooring. The girls and I have a lot to do to prepare for the next concerts but we are going to love working in this new space. Look we will even have a water fountain!

The Outfitter

A home without a mortgage? A resort to go? Call it what you must but we will call it camping in the Outfitter. Notice it has a chimney so we can stay warm on those cold nights. Christopher is off to New York City on a school trip this week, and Timothie busy with college so we took a quick overnighter to the White Mountains where Steve did a little fishing and Mike and I played some horseshoes.

We We We all the way Home

We woke up Sunday Morning and Steve said how about we go see Timothie for the day. So we quickly got ready for an earlier church and left to see our girl in her college town. Timothie gives the best hugs ever! It is so fun to hear the stories our children share when we are all together. This has been a very difficult season in our lives but we do know that a HOME is where WE are, and the times when we are all together are so precious. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all. We are FAMILY!

Welcome to the Resort

One of the best things we have here is room for visitors.

In looking back on the past since moving here to the desert in 2002;

Mesa cabin #1, the Mansion, and now to the Resort....

I recall the many lessons we have learned all along the way and the need we have to continuously trust in the Lord.

"..these things have been prepared of the Lord that we would not perish..."

Learn from the past,

Ponder our future,

Embrace the present.

So here is where we are for an unknown amount of time while we discover what is next for our family. This home is for sale and we live here knowing that we may be told to move at any time. What I know is that we were given permission to enjoy this opportunity while it lasts as we trust in the Lord's timing for us. We may not love the moving process but it looks like there may be a few more in our future so we may as well take advantage of each stop along our way.

We look forward to loved ones visiting us no matter where we live. Welcome to the Resort.

The big finish

Well moving is not fun at the best of times, moving at the hottest time of the year is not advised! Can you believe I used to love moving? I still enjoy the unpacking and being organized, but when your not organized...not so much fun. With sweat dripping, and clothes sticking we pack the final remnants and vacuumed our way out the door. The mansion as I called this house with the 20 foot ceilings is now ready for its new occupants. I called it the mansion assuming that it would be the biggest house that we would ever live in.

The season in our lives are in a state of change. We will take all the memories of this home with us as we continue to our next stop....A temporary home known as....stay tuned for more information

It Begins

A tender mercy - the Family getaway

Fred and Wilma had a chance to go to LA this weekend with the kids. Steve had planned the trip with Timothie for my birthday and then it just started working out that the kids would be available to go as well. We spent the day at Universal Studios and the next day at the beach. It may seem odd to put Mikes toe in there but it prevented him from working and allowed us to go. He has to have part of the nail removed on Friday. I may try to add more photos later ...TTFN

Contemplation

Before

As the school year begins I just wanted to share with you what my new dance studio looks like today....so we can all appreciate what it will look like in about 2 more months. I am very excited about the new space to work in.