Strongs

Shayne's Eleventh Birthday- December 2012

For Shayne's eleventh birthday he had some friends over to spend the night. We all had a fun night!

I have carried on the tradition that my mother had with us to make us fun cakes for our birthdays decorated how we wanted them. This is a Regular Show cake.

For Halloween, Shayne was a ninja/sorcerer sort of guy and Maya was a "coffee lady". She told me she wanted to be a coffee lady a few weeks before Halloween. Soon after, we were in Target and she asked me if she could ask the lady at Starbucks for a coffee cup for her Halloween costume. She went right up and explained the whole thing, and the girl, all smiles, gave her a cup and a lid.

Maya's First Day at Humphrey- October 2012

Getting Maya over to Humphrey (where I work and where Shayne went to school K-6th) was a goal we had from the time Maya started at Pomeroy when she was in kindergarten. The day finally arrived in October 2012 when her self-contained teacher said that she was sure Maya was ready. We trusted her judgement and think the people I work with are fantastic, but we were nervous! These photos were taken on her first day at Humphrey (she started right after the October break). Shayne and I were so happy to have her in the car with us that day! Her teacher that year was my friend Monique who I have known since college. She is a phenomenal teacher, especially to those who march to the beat of their own drums. The first day went great and she has been happy and thriving ever since.

Here is a photo of her before her first nighttime music performance that December:

North Carolina- July 2012

Here are a few photos from the North Carolina Trip. The first few were on a cloudy day and the sky looked amazing.

In this one Shayne is standing on the base of where the

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse used to be before it was moved inland a bit.

With some of their cousins:

A few more I like:

Maryland Trip- Summer 2012

Here are some photos from our trip to Maryland in the summer of 2012. David and Greg stayed at my mom and dad's house with us for the first few days we were there. We (mom, dad, kids and I) went to Philadelphia one day and saw Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. This was perfect timing as Shayne and David were going into 5th grade, the year they learn about the American Revolution.

The boys had a good time building a lego city

We spent some time at Dale's house too. The kids had a great time swimming with their cousins, as always.

Maya's diving tricks:

We also went to the National Zoo. While we were there, we saw the elephant that is almost the exact same age as Shayne and David. He was born on November 25th 2001. Kandula weighed 324 pounds when he was born and now weighs about 7000 pounds.

Later, when Rick flew in we went to Baltimore for the day. We went to the Children's Science Museum there and walked around the Inner Harbor.

This is actually a bed of nails! It doesn't hurt because his weight was evenly distributed.

Maya's 8th Birthday- May 2012

Maya wanted to go camping in Payson for her 8th birthday. One of Maya's favorite foods has always been doughnuts. The grocery store in Payson has something called a "Texas doughnut". It is about the size of four regular doughnuts. We got one for the kids on the trip and they shared it.