Christmas Party @ Kendal

Erik took the girls and our friends, Jan-Barbara and Madeline to the Kendal Elementary School Christmas Party. 

L-R: Madeline, Grace, Barbara, Erik and Faith

 Faith was covered in icing when she arrived home, all over her hair, clothes, body and her coat. 

NDDA National Deaf Dance Academy

 Today Parents were invited to attend dance class with their children. It was too adorable for words and so is the teacher (2nd picture below) Faith's age group will perform 3 numbers in the spring. 1 Ballet, 1 Hip Hop and 1 Tap -- and an ending group number - I can't wait - it's gonna be awesome. Also lastly I attached a short and very grainy preview of a hip hop number. I just showed it to Faith and she turned red and covered her face - I asked her - why so embarrassed? --Because i'm shaking my but.

Kendall Elementary @ Gallaudet

Every day, EVERY day we get a great newsletter that keeps us informed on whats happening at Kendall and on Gallaudet Campus. Faith gets to participate in awesome field trips and experiences. Below is a video and photo of the USDA coming to Kendall to teach about food safety - she came home with loads of booty' (treasures) (Our tax money China's money hard at work but thats another story for another blog - that I don't do:)  It was cool that she could participate. Look for Faith with 'Thermy' the mascot. '

Hands = L-O-V-E

Hands have a special meaning in our house. Our hands speak and yell and laugh and cry and teach and most importantly LOVE.

Sea World Trip - October

Tooth Fairy

A few days later...

Kendall's Spooktacular Halloween Party

Faith's Field Trip

Going to school at Kendall has cool perks. She goes on about 2 field trips a month!! Last year the kids went to the White House and met the Prez. This field trip was to a farm for pumpkins. It was so fun being with her friends - they are funny kids. 

OK, here's my favorite part...PIGLETS...Oh I want some! 

The kids were enthralled with the babies eating from the Mom

Apple Pick'n

Shenendoah Valley, VA...Mmmmmm Apple Pick'n & Eat'n
The girls could not believe we rode up the road (like 600 feet :) in Grandad's truck - they loved it, what kid wouldn't love it?

Ward Camp-Out

Grace and Faith LUUUV camping - we wish we could go more. While on our ward camp-out in VIRGINIA - we ran into GUESS WHO? ... My cousin Andrew Z and his wife Jamie and of course their very own little s'more - Max. How cool is that?! I didn't take picts of it BUT we roasted marshmallows and caught up - they are beautiful family.

Left: Faith talking with our great friend Karen - Glad you came Karen.

Restoring Honor Rally in Washington, DC

Thats right peeps! - We were excited to attend the Restoring Honor Rally at the Lincoln Memorial. I have never been around so many people in my life. Many times we were pressed up against people for a mile. We were impressed by everyones behavior - calm, nice, helpful - everyone! Everyone except a few people who came to tell us how wrong we were. We were going to get to DC on the Metro but the Franconia Metro had a line (not of cars but people) one mile long. Many people turned back when they saw the line but that was not happening I didn't care what time we got there I was committed. We ended up catching a cab - squeezing with a family from Georgia who made the trip here just for the Rally. Our family is sick of 'big city life' and they were longing for it :) They paid our cab fee when we arrived - so sweet! Our only regret - we couldn't get close enough to interpreters to see them.

Grace's Yellow Belt Test

Picts of Grace earning her Yellow Belt - They require the kids to  REALLY work to earn their belts!

Our dog Sonny

New Puppy we got in May after Grace saved for a year. She is a 'Yorkie-Poo'...In case your thinking...huhh? Thats a Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle mix. She is so sweet, so fluffy, her tail never stops wagging. We love her! When we got her she was 3 lbs and is now 7 lbs...she may gain one more lb or so.

Deaf Family Picnic...So much fun!

Fourth of July 2010