School Holidays

Logan and Jordan's classes both finished up the 2008 school year with parties.

Logan's class just had a class party and played outside.

Jordan's class presented their study of the 50 states of the USA. Jordan had been assigned the state of Idaho, so he gave us a short presentation of the important facts about Idaho. All the children were able to make Christmas decorations in the shape of their state. The food at his class party was around the foods typical of the states that were studied. There are only 24 children in his class room, so only 24 of the 50 were studied.

Carolling in Jackson Square, NOLA

Last night we enjoyed joining a New Orleans tradition that dates over 60 years, and went carolling in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. The Richters joined us for our excursion too. While it's not snowing like it is in Portland and Seattle, it was very "chilly" for us (48F/8C) and the very cold wind that was blowing kept blowing out our candles. Experienced people who had been before, had brought plastic cups to protect their candle flames, so we've taken note for next year!!

Thanksgiving.

We had a great day: football in the morning, followed by too much food and great time with friends: over 20! :-) Front left below is Ali, from Iran. He enjoyed his first Thanksgiving.

Zooks come to visit

We had the pleasure of the Zooks company for a week over Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to catch up with them again, and meet the family dog "Cooper". The time flew by way too fast!

Soccer is over!

Soccer is over for another season and we feel like we have a lot more free time. No more weekly practices, soccer clinic or games until next August. Jordan managed to knock part of his tooth out on a goal post (it's fixed now) and through the Friday night clinics we made friends with one family in particular. Madex and Thorin live close to us, so we look forward to staying in touch even though soccer season is now over.

Our Mob

Living in Community is like...
- Summer camp
- Living with the in-laws
- Relatives that don't know when to go home
- Slumber party
- Boarding school
- Heaven



Amanda, Chad, Jordan, Nicholas, Logan & Susanne; Andrew, Cindy, Kyle, Christian, Alex, Mike
Matt, Amy, Nolan, Beth, & Adam

Soccer, Pumpkins & Autumn in NOLA

Jordan & Logan playing with Jay's flying Dragon Fly.







Logan's Pumpkin - American Flag

Jay's traditional Jack-o-Lantern

Jay's 3 Blind Mice w/ stars & moon

Jay's soccer prowess

Logan warming up for his quarter as goalie

Jordan is now an Orange belt in karate

On Saturday Jordan had the opportunity to go to his belt testing, to move up from yellow belt to orange belt. It was supposed to happen at the end of last school year (May 08) but got lost in the end of school schedule. Better late than never!

There were 5 going for their Orange belts, and Jordan was brought forward in recognition of his outstanding performance. Good on you Jordan! We had to leave a few minutes early before the official ceremony to get the belts, so Jordan will get his at class on Thursday.

Happy 8th Birthday, Jordan!

It's hard to believe Jordan turned 8 on Wed October 1st. He skipped soccer practice to be with us for dinner on his actual birthday, have a cake and be able to blow out his candles.





We were able to have a kids meals at a local McDonalds earlier in the week when we thought Jordan was going to be at soccer practice on his birthday..... with Andrew, Nicholas, Logan and Nolan.



And a special playdate with his friend from school, Sophie.

We tried to avoid "birthday week" but a lunch with Mimi on the northshore on Saturday made it strech out a little more!

Logan's practise soccer game

Today Logan's team got their uniforms (his team is called "The Galaxy") and they played against another team for a practice game. It gives them all a chance to remember what the game is about and make those first time - back in the game type of mistakes, without their teams standing in the league being penalised. So we'll play this team again one more time, for real, during the actual season which begins next week.

Logan really enjoys being goalie, and he got a chance to be in the position for one of the quarters today. As to be expected, the coach is trying out different players in different positions to give them exposure to the positions.