ALL EXCITED!!!We celebrated Sara's birthday on the 27th. She is now 11 years old...not sure how that happens so fast. She chose an ice cream cake and it was really good, but very hard to cut!
Ruth got her a Hannah Montana card that plays one of her songs, and she got a Hannah Montana shirt, along with other things.
We arrived at the Judd's the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring because the kids scared them so much! The stocking were hung by the pool with such care, in hopes that St. Nicholas would take the swimming dare. When what to our wondering eye should appear, but a tooth from our dear Ruth, it popped out without fear. Now off to bed they all 
scamper with a whine, wondering if Santa and the tooth fairy would share a ride.
like they were never apart, except that there was no Chinese spoken, only English. Ruth enjoys Mailia too. They swam in the pool, played at the beach, played game cube, rode the monorail a few times. We left the 24th for Jeff''s parents house to be there for Christmas morning.
Today is my birthday....again. Jeff and I had a wonderful "date" night last Saturday--without kids--yea!!!! This was dinner and a movie. I highly recommend date night to all couples....it really helps with the sanity issue, and don't even pretend you do not know what I am talking about.
We will be heading to Disney World and Nana and Papa Judd's house for the holidays. We are so excited. The girls are mixed about being pulled out of school early. Ruth does not want to miss the parties, and Sara is sad anyday that is not a school day. We will be busy doing make up homework. Got the car ready for the trip today...ouch! 
need to close them and run the heater tonight, and the A/C in another day! This does explain the saying if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it will change!
Last night we had Sara's birthday party/sleep over. We had two girls come, and one spent the night. It worked out great. The girls played on the trampoline, ate pizza, did crafts, watched a movie,
did cake and ice cream, played games, played math flash cards (only my kids), and were in bed and asleep by midnight. This morning I got up and we all went for doughnuts and then to church
together.
My little sister Lisa came for a short visit with her daughter Angie, then another of my sisters Chris called for a visit....I guess I will call my other sister today so I can give my love to all of them.
My dear husband had a birthday today. The girls made cute cards and we took him out to our favorite restaurant...Chinese of course. We had a good day together.
We (including Cooper the dog of course) traveled to my parent's house for Thanksgiving and had the usual wonderful food prepared by my mom, assisted by my sisters, nieces, and the professional turkey slicing by my father, who was caught a number of times "dropping" scraps to the dogs. . . we know! 
Ruth and Sara are on the same indoor soccer team. We got Sara's goggels the day of the game so she can play, and good thing we did because she took one to the face....ouch....but then she was back in. 
They lost to a team that are VERY good and have been playing select (the cream of the crop) soccer for 3 years together. All in all, our team heald their own and lost, but played a good game.
Jeff took the girls to a local wildlife refuge. They had a great time, and I got some quiet time. They saw many animals and enjoyed themselves. Notice the shirts the girls have on...the 
ones they wore the first time they saw each other. They say "blame my sister" and how true is this? It was a beautiful cool day.
Sara is in 5th grade this year, and they are divided into 3 groups. Sara is 5C. On Tuesday Sara left for Camp Carter, a YMCA camp. They will be gone for 4 days and nights....a little quiet in the house LOL!!!
Tonight we are driving to the camp to see the skits they will present, and they will be home tomorrow. This is the first time Sara has been away and she was getting extra hugs and kisses for a week to store up for when she was away....remember these times 
beause. . . . there will be a time when she will be too busy to get even a single hug and kiss, but I hope it is not for a very long time!
THIS IS GREEN WEEK across the US! Last year Ruth was on the GREEN TEAM at school, the kids has to apply for the position. They were in charge of the paper recycling in each classroom. On Thursdays, they would collect all the papers from each class' recycle box and take them to the back of the 
school to the two large recycle bins. We continued it big time this summer, and still continue it this year, though they are no longer officially on the GREEN TEAM. On Thursdays is our recycle days in our town. Everyone has a recycle bin for their glass, aluminum and paper goods. We leave a little early for school and hit as many of these bins until the back of my van is full. Paper for the school and cans for Sara and Ruth. Sara's teacher is collecting the pop tops for the
Ronald McDonald homes, and the girls recycle the cans for their allowance. This week we are having a phone book drive and dear Jeff brought a bunch home from work from his coworkers.
Tonight is Halloween and the girls are excited. Jeff will take the girls while I sit comfortably at home and pass out the candy. The girls are going with their friend's soccer team. They have a flatbed with hay pulled by their Texas two-ton truck...in case they get too tired to walk....yea! I think it may be for the parents when they get too tired of 
walking....maybe it should have lazy boys in the back.....maybe a thought for next year! The girls went for many house and brought home a load. I gave out 35 pounds of candy and about 100 Halloween pencils.
I will be better prepared next year.
door, Halloween is about walking about. If you are an ADULT do not come to my door again, and do not trick or treat for your infant child....they don't even have teeth!!!!!!!!!
Can you believe it? A full year has passed since we saw our beautiful shy (or so we thought) daughter. She was so full of fear and hesitation at first. By the first night, we could see how perfect she was for us...God knows!
Today we celebrated with some cake and ice cream. When looking at the pictures, Sara is wearing the same PJ's as one year ago, only a size larger!
The girls finished their hip-hop class and helped with the Sunday evening service after the church carnival. It was tooooo cute. Sara and Ruth attended a Halloween party (Sara's first Halloween) and both had a great time. We had a short cold snap, but this did not 
keep the twosome off the trampoline! And now we have carved our pumpkins, supervised by a nervous mom as they use a knife! Sara was unsure what this was all about, but decided COOL!
The social worker came this afternoon for our final check up, and yes she saw that Sara was thriving!!!! Sara wanted the SW to come back again for a visit....she thinks she has a new friend. We had to provide photos so we we snapping away. 
Today Ruth's team worn 8-2. It was a tough game because of the strong wind!
Things are still going well here. Ruth is in full force with soccer...that girl has a strong kick and plays defense. Sara is still going strong in gymnastics and is getting warmed up for the chess club at school which begins next week. 
