The S.A. Clan: August 2008

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Keri, Jonathan, and Pam had a fabulous time in Philadelphia, Valley Forge, New Jersey and New York City, as we traveled for a research study for Keri. We saw so much history, and saw cousin Robin and Aunt Leah, and Allison's fiance, Nathan. Here is the lighter side of our trip.

Life As We Know It

SUMMER 2009: We started by having the first of our kids' cousins get married in Houston. Allison married long-time boyfriend Nathan, and they now live in NYC. The wedding allowed us to see Reigle/Williams relatives we have not seen in a while. VBS started the very next night, so it was a busy time. June 30 the 4 of us headed to Seattle for a fabulous family vacation. Two days later, Keri and I headed to camp. Jonathan has Student Life camp at Baylor University at the end of July, then the kids will embark upon their Middle School and High School careers. Jonathan is now 5'9", so he is taller than his mom, with no signs of stopping. If the size 13 shoe is any indication of his looming height, it will get interesting. Keri begins the process for getting braces this summer. Pam's parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today, so way to go Mom and Dad!
FALL 2008/SPRING 2009:
Jonathan is finishing the 8th grade, his last year in Middle School, and Keri is in the 5th grade, her last year in Elementary School. She has started playing the violin in a club at school, as well as being in the Mad Scientists Club. She likes experiments, which includes cooking! Jonathan is in his 4th year of playing the cello, now in the Chamber Orchestra. National Junior Honor Society is his club right now.
SUMMER 2008:
Whew, this was a busy one! Keri learned to swim in water over her head, so that was fun. Jonathan continued flying lessons, and reading about everything to do with flying.
We had many cousins, 2nd cousins, aunts and uncles come to town throughout the summer, so we were tour guides several times. So much fun!
Keri and Pam went to Preteen Camp, and Jonathan went to his first Youth Camp. He was able to do some volunteer work during camp at the Boys and Girls Club, and the Food Bank.
We all went to New Mexico and Arizona with Karl's family for a week, which was very fun. Keri was accepted into a research study in Philadelphia, so Pam and the kids spent a week in that area visiting historical sites, as well as Leah and Robin Reigle, and Nathan, our soon to be cousin-in-law. We saw Valley Forge, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' house, Constitution Hall, took a tour in the Potomic River, Six Flags Great Adventure Park, and Times' Square near midnight. We had a blast!
SPRING 2008:
Jonathan is continuing his monthly flying lessons with his great instructor, Jordan. He continues to increase his interest in everything to do with flying!
He continues to play the cello. His orchestra won the sweepstake at the state UIL competition, so we are very proud. He is doing well in the 7th grade, and donned his second arm cast in April, after a football injury in P.E.
He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in April 2008 as well.
Keri has a multi-faceted line of interests including rocks, space, cooking, and television. She is worked hard in the 4th grade, with Ms. Russell and Ms. Lucke, with reading being her best subject. They are learned to play the recorder in music with Mrs. Gabriel. Keri loves a party, and is making plans for several events this summer, complete with to-do lists and activities. Swimming is at the top of her list for the summer.

2007 in Review

2007 was a great year for us. We started by getting our first air-breathing pet, Bunster the rabbit. She's a beautiful white Californian. For Spring Break, we did our first tent camping with just the 4 of us. In May, we vacationed in Nashville as we were invited for Keri's wish to come true, to the filming of two Bibleman DVDs. Keri and Jonathan have multiple appearances in each, but Crushing the Conspiracies of the Cheater is the one currently available. Keri finished the 3rd grade with Mrs. Anderson and moved on to the 4th grade with Ms. Russell, and Jonathan completed 6th grade and started the 7th.
Karl and Pam celebrated 15 years of marraige with a quick get-away to Corpus in May.
After Keri being the youngest grandchild on both sides of the family for almost 10 years, another cousin, Ryan David Farnell was born to Pam's brother Russell, and his wife, Laura. Ryan was born October 12, the day before Jonathan turned 13. For Jonathan's 13th birthday, he went on his first solo trip to Midland, Texas to visit Karl's parents. The highlights of his trip were flying without his parents, being the only object of his grandparents' attention, and having his first pilots lesson in a small plane. Jonathan's current career choice is to be a pilot, so his Pa is giving him the opportunity to 'test his wings.' He gets monthly lesson now, at Boerne Air Field, and is learning a lot.

We enjoyed fun visits for Thanksgiving and Christmas with our newest family member, as well as most of our other immediate family.