Cooper's 13th Birthday

Happy 13th Birthday Cooper!

Seriously can't believe this one is 13 already.  He was just 6 months old when we moved to Oregon.  He's chill and hilarious and has a quiet way of leading and observing that draws people to him and sets him apart in so many ways.  He's rarely in a hurry but typically patiently waits and observes and then owns whatever the situation it is that he finds himself in.  We hear again and again from his teachers how impressed they are by his maturity.  He can seem quiet but his mind is always working and when it's his turn to contribute he has great things to say.  Mrs. House, his high school principle, told me recently that when they picked house leaders she was kind of on the fence with Cooper just because he can seem so quiet but she's been blown away at how he's stepped into the role so naturally and has lots to contribute.  With Cooper it's just that he doesn't seem to "need" to be seen and heard ALL the time the way many do at his age.  He carries a quiet confidence that is a blessing to this family.  Cooper you continually impress us and we're grateful for you.  We love the things you have to say, the way you make us laugh, and special way you connect with each of your siblings.  You seem to know how to be quiet and let them do and say whatever crazy things they need to and also how to draw out the quieter ones.  We love you so much!!

Livin' Their Best Life

Christmas Tree

I look forward to this day every year.  It feels like it marks the beginning of the Christmas season.  I use to wait a week or so after Thanksgiving so that I didn't have the tree up on Cooper's birthday but I just love it so much and want to enjoy it as long as possible.  So now the day after Thanksgiving it's tradition to cut down our tree.

Notice Dog Dog peaking around Evie's arm.  May Maddie never tire of Dog Dog and may we never loose her.

This is Brandon's new thing :)  Hillarious!  Also, leaves a lot of photos where we are minus one and where kids are NOT looking at the camera.

Minus one + totally distracted Evie :)

One nice one for Mommy

Hazel and Maddie

It was Cooper's turn to cut down the tree.

Evie and Aubrey

Bringing the tree home means the pumpkins must go.  We do our best to make this fun as the kids never want to part with them.

But eventually even the most resistant ones give in to the fun of Pumpkin Chucking.  Not sure the goats think this is a fun tradition but they enjoy the aftermath.

A Christmas Baazar

A Christmas Baazar

This year we participated in our first Christmas Baazar as a fundraiser for our upcoming mission trip to Mexico.  It was a lot of work preparing all the treats and spending 2 days selling, but the kids made some money which we're grateful for and we had the opportunity to see and chat with lots of friends as well as watch the Crosshill theater group perform It's a Wonderful Life, which was so fun.  I've missed watching theater.

Grammy made and donated these amazing cookies for the kids to sell.

Uncle Robert donated Blue Silo Chocolate Milk.

And I made so many dipped oreos, buckeye balls, mint brownies, and speedy little devils.

Evie's 9th Birthday

Happy Birthday Evie!

Once again it was home from volleyball right to Evie's birthday but this kid takes it all in stride.  She's a good sport about almost everything and just rolls with all the craziness.  Evie is silly and thoughtful and independent.  She's great at staying out of the drama and arguments that inevitably happen in a house of 9 and she makes us laugh all the time with her carefree easy going responses to life and the quiet humor she finds in herself and others.  We love you so much Evie!

2A STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

 All Gas!  No Brakes!  We're Headed to STATE!!!

Crosshill does a great job of celebrating it's students.  The girls' send off was an all school event.  Kids poured out of every classroom to line the halls celebrating this huge accomplishment.

And later Thursday afternoon we head out to La Grande, caffeinated and with these yahoos. :)

Wyatt and Cole

In Round 1 on Friday Crosshill swept Weston-McEwen in three sets to advance to the semifinals 

25-28, 26-24, 25-18

Our fans are amazing!  So many made the trip over to cheer the girls on which added an incredible amount of excitement of the whole experience.

 

Cheering on sister from home.  Go Eagles!!!

The town of La Grande worked hard to welcome the teams each business choosing a school and decorating their shop windows.  Such a kind and fun gesture.

Game #2 was played Friday evening against the Heppner Mustangs.  The girls dug deep and came from behind in the third set never looking back as they took down #5 Heppner in four sets to move on to the State Championship match!!

25-20, 24-26, 25-19, 25-12

These girls were getting spoiled at home by Aunts and Uncles and Friends.

Thank you everyone!!!

Saturday was a long wait for the championship game as we had to check out of our place at 10 but we found things to do.  

The girls got he morning off too.

Some serious fooseballers right here.

You really can't beat our fans.

Let's Go!!

Proud of this kid!

So fun that the girls got to play together and that we all got to share this moment.

Thankful for all the friends who came out to cheer the girls on.

Felicity

Corina

Coach Bennett

Wyatt

Wesley

Bella

Ashely

Quinn

All of these boys except Wes have been a part of Sadie's life since kindergarten.

Sam, Carter, Kaleb, Johan, Wes, Cole, Sadie, Wyatt

Ellie

Hannah

Sara

J.B. and Sara

Vivienne

2A State Champions 2025!!!

We will be reliving these moments for a long time.  Such a memorable season!  Once in a lifetime I'd even dare to say.  This group of girls is so special and we were grateful to get to be a part of it.  The fans showed up big this weekend and the team showed up even BIGGER!  They worked so hard training and preparing all season and to see it all played out here in this final game was amazing!!