Happy New Year 1-1-11

Happy 2011 from the Barretts6

Do tell, Miss Abbie

2011!




Happy Birthday!

 







Yeah, a new year awaits us! We rang in the New Year with a Wii party. Surprising we stayed up until 2am dancing to Just Dance 2. Lots of fun and food. Wished Aunt Nene a happy birthday too!

Our New Year's Day tradition, the Rose Parade and Donuts!

TKD & Tamales

Annabelle and Elizabeth are green! Taekwondo testing this weekend, and now they are green belts. Strong kicks and great form. I am so proud of my girls, they are really having fun. Em is going to be starting in January, she just thought they were having too much fun without her. I've even heard from the little man that he is interested. Don't mess with the Barrett Kids!

Tamales! Hard work, but so worth it. We had a lot of fun making tamales. Found a little Mexican store that has prepared masa, such a time saver! Hoping to make more often. The girls did great with spreading the masa and Andy was the olive boy. The only regret is it took about 3 hours of work for about 20 minutes of eating!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Had a nice visit from the Barrett3. It was so good to see Leanne and Jason, but the real star of the trip was baby Chase-what a cutie. We hung out, played games, shopped, ate, and cooked. A surprise snow storm added an interesting element to our holiday.

 Jason and Leanne are great parents; she is very calm and he is good at doing whatever she says. Thanksgiving Day was fun-filled with food and family.

TKD

Annabelle and Elizabeth had their first Taekwondo sparring competition, both placed second; Annabelle in Sparring and Elizabeth in Form. Great Job girlies! They were so nervous, but excited for the challenge. Neither knew what to expect, but both enjoyed the experience. I am so proud of them for taking on the unknown and being good sports.

Busy September



One of our sunflowers

 We have had a busy September, from starting school to traveling the Oregon Coast, with a nice family visit and birthday inbetween. The children are starting on their new school year, a 10th grader, two 8th graders, and one official Kindergartener. I'm so proud of their progress, all are learning beautifully and we are seeing God directing their gifts and talents in interesting ways.

My parents came out to visit, so good to see them and spend time with them. We saw airplanes at the History of Flight Museum and journeyed up to beautiful Vancouver.

The kids all had fun hanging with Papa and Grandma, getting to

                                                       know them and share what they are

                                                       up to.              

                                   

Our month finished off with a big RV trip down the Oregon Coast. Lots of people (and a beagle) in a little space for 6 days and nights- very challenging. We had rain, wind, sun, and sand. Lots of campfires,junk food, and good memories. Thinking a condo by the beach might be in store for the next big family vacation.

Family Portrait Cape Lookout, OR 2010

Woodland Creatures

Newport, OR

Lots of sand dollars

Enjoying Beachside

Cape Disappointment

Look what we found!

On the road

Kicking and Screaming

September is dragging us kicking and screaming into the new school year, we just want a little more summer!! But we start our new school year tomorrow, the girls are in 10th & 8th grade and Andy is starting Kindergarten officially!! We are learning Spanish, British Lit., phonics, and dissection this year-should be lots of fun. Schedules are made, lessons planned, and alarm clocks set for an early start. One of the great perks of homeschooling is the freedom to enjoy those beautiful fall days that do hit us in October and Novmeber.

We had a nice summer, looking forward to a sweet fall.

Kickball, Blueberries, and a little Funk!

Quite an eclectic week for us- a rousing game of Boys vs. Girls kickball, blueberry picking, and a fun family night at a cool R&B concert.
Looking forward to another beautiful sunny week here in the PNW. There is some backyard camping, free movies, maybe another outdoor concert, and even a literary club meeting of the minds!