Leila is in the 3rd grade.
She struggles with some of the work, but overall - she's doing SO much better than she was last year.
Darrell started his 2nd year at Marshall.
He's in an apartment this year with 3 other guys instead of in the dorm - which he likes better.
He has a full load of classes, AND he works 2 part-time jobs.
He still works at the rec center on campus, and he also works at the bank now.
He has a lot on his plate, but he seems to be handling it.
Austin and Casey decided to expand their family with a new dog.
They got a Bernese Mountain dog named Marshall.
He's a cutie, but he has LOTS of energy.
(Makes me realize just how 'done' I am with the puppy stage.)
We celebrated our 8th (!) Gotcha Day in Sept.
Can't believe we've been home with our girl for that long.
We went out for our annual dinner at the Chinese restaurant.
I'm so grateful our 'big kids' make the time in their busy schedules for things like this.
The end of Oct brought birthdays.
Leila turned 9, and Darrell turned 20.
We had a 'joint' birthday party at the skating rink.
We had 'kids' of all ages - which was a lot of fun.
I grew up going to the skating rink as a teenager, but the boys did not. I must admit, that I loved being better at something physical than them, for the 1st time since they learned to walk!
Darrell went on a Veterans Day hike in the mountains of NC in Nov.
This was a fundraiser for an organization called standwatch.org.
They raise money for medical care for veterans.
He said it was one of the hardest things (physically) that he's ever done.
They backpacked across mountains overnight in freezing weather.
I'm so proud of him for putting others ahead of his own comfort and well-being though.
Dec was full of ups and downs.
Mom lost her dog and constant shadow, Freckles.
One week later, we lost David's 'baby' - Sable. She was just a few weeks shy of 13 years old.
Christmas was the usual rush and flurry of activities.
Leila was in a parade with her cheer group.
We went to the Chinese Lantern Festival in Columbus - really amazing, btw.
School program, church decorating, and program.
Etc.
School Christmas Program
Leila's letter to Santa.
Don't you just absolutely love it?
And yes, Allie did get something from Santa too.
Christmas Eve Cookies for Santa
Christmas Morning
Austin MADE me this picture.
Isn't it pretty!?
Ready for Church
Leila had an expander put in her mouth in Dec.
This is in preparation for her bone graft surgery and for braces - both of which, I believe, will possibly be next summer.
She has actually done way better with this than I expected her to.
We had our New Year's Eve party.
Good food, good times, and good friends.
Always a great way to end the old year and start the new one.
Competition season has started for Leila's cheer group.
This is a new thing for us.
So far, Leila is loving it.
Of course, the fact that they won first place at their first meet probably has something to do with that too.
Now we're in the middle of winter - which hasn't actually been that cold or snowy (yet).
The school year is more than 1/2 over, and spring is just around the corner.
