Lia Performs in "Almost Maine"

Since Lia decided this school year that she only wants to participate in her school's drama productions, she auditioned for the school play for the first time this fall and was cast as the role of Marci in the play, "Almost Maine."  Since this play consists of nine vignettes centered around nine different couples in the same town, Lia only performed in one scene.  However, she and her partner, Phil, spoke the entire time for 15 to 20 minutes.  Although her vignette is a really sad play about a husband and wife arguing the entire time, Lia and her partner did an amazing job.  Their performance was so convincing.  Lia really is a strong actress and, when given the chance, her talent shines above all others!  Since the school's new theater director decided to run this show for two weekends instead of one, I was able to see the play on opening night last weekend with Lia's childhood friend, Mollie, and on closing night tonight with Ron, the kids, and my dear friend, Sarah, who just happened to in town for the weekend.  It was so fun to sit in the front row both times and watch Lia perform in such a serious, dramatic play.  I am trying to soak up these last few theater productions that she is in as I know that her time in high school shows are almost over.

Lia and her partner getting into an argument after they finished ice skating at the beginning of their scene.

Lia speaking to her husband while facing the audience.

The two of them fighting.

Looking up at a star in the sky.

Lia bowing for the audience after the play was over.

Lia and some of her other cast members applauding.

Lia and Mollie after the first show on November 14th.

Lia and her dear friend, Hope, after the final show on November 22nd.

Lia with the entire family and Sarah also after the final show.

The End of Logan's XC Season

After another fall, Logan wrapped up his second, cross country season today by attending his running club's end-of-season banquet.  Logan had a great time training twice a week and competing on the weekends with South Hill Running Club this season.  Just like last year, several of his close friends from school participated in this club and Logan looked forward to going to every practice.

This past Saturday, November 15th, Logan ran in his last meet which was the Associations Meet at Magnuson Park in Seattle.  Since I had been diagnosed with Achilles Tendonitis the week before, I was unable to go to the meet since it would involve too much walking for me.  As sad as this made me, I was grateful that Ron, Ella, and Emmett were able to go and cheer him on.  Logan did a great job running his 4K race in rainy, wet, and muddy conditions.  He ran it in 15:59 and came in 56th place out of 112 runners.  I am so proud of what a dedicated, long-distance runner Logan has become.  He truly loves this sport and all of his fellow runner friends and I can't wait to see the progress that he makes in the years to come!

:Logan warming up at the starting line before the race began.

Logan running past Ron and the kids.

Pushing hard!

Approaching the finish line.

An exhausted Logan collapsing on the ground after his race was over.

Waving 'hi' to Ron and the kids after getting back up.

Logan's time on the result board.

Our tired, muddy, and wet boy posing for a picture after the race was over.

A team picture of South Hill Running Club taken earlier in the season.

The four kids and I went to Ferrucci Junior HS this evening for a potluck dinner with Logan's club.  After eating dinner, each age group was recognized by a coach in front of everyone.  Here is Logan walking up to get his certificate from one of his coaches.

Logan holding his certificate while listening to the coach.

Logan and the other 13 to 14 year old boys posing for a group photo.

Logan's 2nd Wrestling Match of the Seaon

Due to trying to rest my foot after being diagnosed with Achilles Tendonitis last week, I decided that it was best if I stayed home and missed Logan's first wrestling match on November 11th.  Ron was able to attend and Logan did a great job, winning two of his matches and tying the third.  Today, I was able to limp to the Kalles gym from the parking lot to cheer on Logan with Ron at my side.  Since Logan made Varsity this year, I was more worried than normal about how he would do and if he would get injured.  Luckily, he was able to pin his opponent in the first round and didn't have to wrestle a second or third round.  He did a great job and really seems to have a talent for this sport, as much as it stresses me out.  Logan has a few more matches before his season ends before right before Winter Break  I will just keep my fingers crossed that he makes it through the entire season without any injuries!

Logan and his opponent putting on their bands before the match began.

Starting to wrestle after the referee began the match.

The boys working hard to take each other down.

Logan tackling his opponent.

Logan getting on top.

Shaking hands after the match was over.

The referee raising Logan's winning hand in the air.

Emmett's Last Soccer Game

Emmett finished up his fall soccer season today with his eighth and final game.  Just like in previous years, he had an amazing soccer season.  Emmett is such a natural at this sport.  He was the by far the strongest player on his team and made multiple goals in every single game.  In fact, he sometimes made the only goals in a game.  He is such a fast runner, strong kicker, and aggressive player.  It is just a delight to watch him on the field.  If we had the time, energy, and money, I would put him in a year-round, soccer club; however, in our busy station of life, he will just be sticking with fall soccer for the time being.  I can't wait to see him play again next year.  Good job, Emmett!

Emmett running down the field.

Going after the ball.

Emmett made four goals in his last game and here is the picture I managed to get of him scoring one of them.

Chasing after the ball, against an opponent.

Trying to block a kick.

Giving me a smile as he walks down the field.

Emmett and his team, the Storm Dragons.

From left to right:

Back row: Coaches Cody and Brooke

Front row: Jack, Seager, Cooper, Javion, Miles, Emmett, and Jack

My cute boy proudly showing off his trophy after the final game was over.

Celebrating Ron's 57th Birthday!

As always, it was a quick turn around after Halloween to get ready for Ron's big day yesterday. We celebrated last night after getting an extra hour of sleep (thanks to Daylight Saving time) and going to church in the morning.  I made a big Filipino feast and we enjoyed eating dinner as a family along with a huckleberry cobbler pie for dessert, using berries that we picked in the hills above Priest Lake last summer.  Ron opened a few gifts in the living room afterwards before we called it a night.  It was a simple, yet sufficient, way to celebrate the main man in all of our lives.  Happy Birthday, Ron!

The kids standing around Ron before we sang "Happy Birthday" and he blew out the one candle on his little bowl of Parm Whisps.

Posing with Papa after all of the gift opening was complete.