SNOW Much Fun!

We got an absolutely gorgeous snow overnight last night - the kind with big, fat, wet flakes that stick to the tree branches and make the landscape look magical.  I braved the yucky roads and took an early morning shopping trip to Target and Old Navy.  When I got home, I found Allan and Delaney next door building an 9 foot snowman with Mr. Mike and Mr. Bob.  Delaney lost interest as soon as Taylor came out to play, but the Daddies worked diligently and finished the job, even getting out a ladder to reach the top!  

Allan, Mike K., Bob S.

Next, we went over to the Szegedy's backyard to sled because they have a little bit bigger incline than our driveway.  Thankfully, there were enough sleds for everyone.  Mr. Bob stood guard down at the bottom of the hill to save the neighbor's fence from being knocked down.

L-R

Taylor S., Jack V., Gigi V., Payton S., Harper, Delaney

Allan talked the girls into doing stunts off of the retaining wall.  I got some pretty cool pictures of them mid-air!

Harper

Delaney

Jack

Gigi

Bike Store Demo

The Cyclery hosted a BMX demo performed by a group of professional riders in the parking lot today.  The Joneses, Rudds, and us went out for a while to support them and nibble on some free hot dogs, chips, and soda.  The riders were ok, but we had more fun playing on the treadmills inside and watching Allan, Craig, and David P. try to ride David's high wheel bike.  (By the way, I googled the name of the bike and it is called a Penny-Farthing.)

Summer Olympics 2012

We have really enjoyed watching the London Olympics with the girls this summer.  It is so cool to hear them say, "There's the London Eye!" or "I've seen Big Ben before!" One of my biggest regrets about our trip back in April is that we did not do the walking tour of the Olympic venues.  We wouldn't have been able to go in them yet, but we could have walked through the village and seen the stadiums from the outside.  However, no one else thought it sounded as neat as I did and we really didn't have enough time anyway.  Actually, we did see two of the venues, although we didn't know it at the time. The indoor volleyball is being held at the Earls Court Center which we walked by everyday on our way to the tube station. The beach volleyball stadium was built on the Horse Guard Parade, a big courtyard that we walked across one day when we were exploring with the girls.  

Delaney is a super fan like Uncle Kenny and Aunt Kathy and will watch any event she can.  She always wants to know which one is USA and if we are winning or not.  While watching swimming or running, she will shout out which lanes are USA swimmers or runners and cheer for them loudly ("Go 5 and 6!!").  Her favorite events have been swimming and gymnastics.  I'm sure the best part of all for her is getting to stay up until 9:30 almost every night to watch :)

Delaney holding up the GO USA sign she made.

Tonight we sat out on the back porch and watched some swimming events: 

Delaney especially was inspired by the gymnasts and made up her own floor exercise routine.  In addition, at any given point in the day you can find her pretending she is on a balance been throwing her hands around with flair!

Harper can't be left out:

** Sorry for the horrible photo and video quality.

Flower Girl Videos

Here are the videos of the girls walking down the aisle during the rehearsal and wedding.  Delaney looks so tall and old in the rehearsal video!  I love how Lucas is holding Harper's arm as they walk down the aisle in the wedding and Tyler and Delaney zoom down!

2 Wheeler!

Delaney rode a 2-wheeler today for the first time!  She has been practicing on her balance bike (a bike with no pedals) for a month or so and was ready to try no training wheels today.  She got it on her very first try!  Allan wanted her to wear long sleeves and jeans while she was practicing by I said, "No way!"  It is a rite of passage and part of growing up to fall down and get scrapes while learning to ride a bike.  But, she didn't ever fall!  We are so proud of you, Delaney!  

Delaney's Class Song

Ever since we got our new computer, I have been having trouble uploading videos to the blog - weird considering I'm using a Mac to get videos from my iPhone.  I digress. 

Anyway, I learned how to upload videos to youtube, so here is Delaney's class's song from her Pre K graduation ceremony.

Thriller!

The TMS faculty "thrilled" our students today with a flash mob at the sports awards assembly. At the conclusion of the assembly, we all started walking like zombies to the middle of the gym floor and proceeded to do the Thriller dance. We had practiced about 7 or 8 times after school and could clearly have used some more practice, but we still had a great time and the students were so excited! I have on the white long-sleeved shirt under my red t-shirt toward the back left of the screen. I've always wanted to participate in a flash mob and now I can check it off my bucket list :)

23rd Psalm

The girls are learning the 23rd Psalm at school and Delaney has been saying it a lot this week. I think they have one more verse to learn at the very end, but you can get the idea. It makes my heart so happy to hear them quoting scripture! I love how Harper chimes in every now and then :) My favorite part is when Delaney talks about the Lord preparing a table in the presence of my enemy. I'm not sure why she says it with such a mean tone and face, but it makes me giggle every time.

Delaney on Stage

Delaney's class got to lead worship time this week at school. I was able to sneak out during my plan time to watch her. Mama, Papa, Honey, Daddy, and Harper also cheered her on.

Delaney was lucky enough to get to hold the Bible both times during the Pledge to the Bible.