Happy Holidays 2012

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I haven't sent cards for a while now, and I've even forgotten to send out the Christmas email a few times.  Here is my attempt to share a few photos and let you know that we are thinking of our friends and family this holiday.   We are thankful to have the best of both!  

This year flew by.  Both girls have been improving their Kung Fu skills. Sydney has her blue sash, and Kyla recently earned her green sash.  Sydney  started 3rd grade this year and loves to do art and science projects.  She has really been enjoying drama/music camps and performing in "Oliver" this summer.  She is still playing soccer and likes going on bike rides.  

Kyla is officially a phone-owning and texting tween that started 6th grade.  She loves school and continues to read more books than I can keep track of.  She just finished studying Egypt, and we're looking forward to visiting the King Tut exhibit in Seattle after New Years.  

The girls love their summer vacations in the Carolinas with Kevin's family where there is swimming at the beach or pool everyday.   They also enjoy camping, and this year we went hiking, rafting and spelunking in Central Oregon our good friends, the Klines.  

Their newest love is named Freeway, he's a sweet mature horse that lives at Grandma Gayle's house, and the girls are doing great with their riding lessons. 

Kevin is still teaching Chemistry at the University of Portland and keeping quite busy as the chair of the department.  We have all enjoyed perfecting our summer theater in the garage and regularly have a dozen of the girls' friends for shows.  

My photography business of selling cards and prints (mostly of the nearby St. Johns Bridge) continues to grow, and I had my first show this year.  This must be the reason for the severely neglected family blog.  

That's all for now.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Little Sister Magic

Just a little video we did while big sister was out of town.

Syd's Blue Sash

Well, I'm only a month late with these photos.  Sydney tested for her blue sash in Kung Fu, so now I only have to take them twice a week now that the girls are in the same class.  Yay!  Way to go Sydney!

Second Breakfast

Last Friday was the 75th Anniversary of The Hobbit.  Kyla's classroom is reading it now and decided to join in the big celebration by having second breakfast at school.

I guess I should have taken that photo before the bread basket (which was really full of hard boiled eggs) was empties by a bunch of hungry 6th grade hobbits.

Stop Motion Dominoes

Just a few stop motion videos for your 4th of July entertainment.
  Can you tell we have a little free time on our vacation?

Happy Father's Day 2012

This video was sent to the dads, but I'll share it here too!

Capture your lovey before it's lost!

Have I found my new calling?   I was at my sister's house last weekend and her new yard is so beautiful!   My niece has four lions plus a baby lion, all supposedly identical, except that they're not.  She knows them all by sight and each one has a name.  I thought we better get some portraits before they are lost or loved beyond recognition.  

Here's fat lion - well he does have chubby legs.

Here's Lion D, not sure if I spelled that right.  He already has a patched nose.

And this is my daughter beloved Lamby, the one true lovey.  For a while, she wouldn't even play soccer without Lamby.  It's a good thing you don't need your hands for soccer!

Well, I don't think I could make of living doing this, but it was fun.
  They are so cute and super cooperative!