Flying in

I had a quick work trip to California, Arizona and Colorado...there and back in 3 days. Cindy and the kids picked me up and toured the jet. Kenzie takes to it a little too easy.

2.5 weeks ago

We just remembered that we had a separate CD from the surfing lessons. Somehow this seems like a lot farther away than 2.5 weeks, but maybe that's just because I'm ready to go on another vacation.

A seriously one-sided conversation

Mason started texting me from the iPad. I was very surprised to get a serious question from him, "are you thankful for your grandparents?" Wow, this was deep and clearly the tip of the iceberg of his thoughts. So I thoughtfully replied.

The end.

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a wonderful day that started with the kids running their first 5K, the Issaquah Turkey Trot, with their friends Wil and Gabi. They worked up an appetite, which was good because we had a lot of eating to do.

Jackie joined us and we met up with the Bolams at a rented hall in Federal Way. We learned that Marissa and Shane are expecting a baby!! We are excited to be great aunts to this lucky little one. [For the record, I'm predicting boy on July 4 (6 lbs, 5 oz).] It's so early that they don't even know a due date yet!

We were done at 4:00, so we went to Randy and Sary-Jo's and had a second round of dessert and lots of Averill family time. Janel and Ryan are up for the weekend, so it was great to see them.

Here are our thankful letters...as typed by the authors.

Kenzie: I am thankful to be so fortunate and have everything that I have. I love all my family members very much and I am thankful for their love and support of me.

Mason: I am thankful to have two moms! And not be homeless:( And for my two iPads and my Nerf guns.

Borja: I SO, BUT SO MUCH THANKFUL FOR THIS INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND STAYING IN THE BEST FAMILY EVER REALLY. WHATEVER PEOPLE THAT THEY KNOW THEM THEY SAY THE SAME AS ME.THEY DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT I LOVE LIKE CINDYS SANDWICHES FOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH.I ALSO THANKFUL FOR BE IN A INCREDIBLE SOCCER TEAM WITH A LOT OF SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY,I SO MUCH THANKFUL THAT I REALLY CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW AWESOME THIS FAMILY IS. THERE IS ONLY A WORD THAT CAN DESCRIBE WHAT I CAN FEEL AND THAT WORD IS !!!!GRACIAS!!!1 ;)

Cindy: I have so much In my life to be thankful for and when I actually take the time to sit down and think about my life, I truly know just how blessed I am. My parents gave me a wonderful upbringing… Allowing me to be me. Supporting me, loving me and being there for me. I am blessed to still have them and to have them close. Thankful for my family, even though they don't live close, and their love. My in-laws for loving me/us unconditionally. To the wonderful boys who have joined our family (Felix and Borja). They are such amazing young men. They have such wonderful families and have brought such joy to our lives. My kids who have enriched my life more than I can put into words. One look in their eyes and… Priceless! I am so proud of them and love to watch them learn and grow. I am thankful for Julie in my life. As a young girl, not thinking it was possible to have a wife, I met my soulmate. She has made my life complete. Her love, humor, encouragement and… The rest of her A-type personality has actually balanced my life completely. I could not describe a more perfect person for me. My friends, old and new, are such a bonus in my life. They enrich our lives more than I can say.

I am just so thankful for all of the people in my life that challenge me, love me, laugh with me and make me grow to be a better person. I am truly blessed and thankful on this day and every moment before and after.

Julie: This year I am thankful for many things. Our kids are at wonderful ages where we can easily do things together. They are adventurous and go with the flow of whatever crazy things we concoct. We have family that loves us and, for the most part, are happy that we now have the option to get married and be entitled to the rights equal to others. And for that I am thankful too--finally living in a world where we can be us. And, we have a broad and amazing group of friends that enrich our lives in many different ways, and a church that loves us unconditionally and lets us have an outlet for our passions. I have a job with an amazing company that I love. I am also thankful for these European guys (Felix and Borja) who are brave enough to join our family for a year and enrich us with their dreams, humor, openness, culture and love...and soccer, of course. And, more than anything I am grateful for my parents who are always there for me, and for Cindy who has somehow put up with me for almost 23 years, pushing me to be a better person and not only entertaining my crazy dreams, but also making them a reality.

The electrocuted turkey

How a Bill becomes a Law

Kenzie's extra credit school project

Two for too(th)

Two teeth yanked in two days. I exhibited enough restraint on the first video, but watch this one at your own risk. I thinks she's trying to make money to fund Christmas presents.

Last game, alas!

Finally! Kenzie played a game with all she has! She ran to the point of exhaustion and busted her butt on the field. We were proud of her efforts! This girl that she was paired against (#13...although they had 3 number 13s on the field, dunno) was much taller than her, yet Kenzie got two fouls and played tough and ran fast. This is the last game of the season, but we hope that she carries this newly discovered ambition onto the basketball court. Onward to the next sport!

Self portrait

Pop Art, by Kenzie

Nonfiction, by Mason

Family resemblance?

Final goal, final game

Coach Sam said Mason's nickname is Turbo for the power he shows when he kicks. This was a great team with a great coach. We have decided to move Mason up to a different league, but by far the biggest drawback is the kids and coach that he will be leaving. It's a hard decision for us.

Borja helped coach this team, taking a special interest in each kid. Coach Sam said that having Borja at every practice made this season way better than it would have been. The kids loved him and he helped each of them be better. Plus it was pretty cool for Mason to have his big brother there every game and practice.

Soccer LOVE