November 2012

As far as I can recall, Thanksgiving was the main event of the month.  We got to give thanks twice that day, with our usual double Ordner, than Douglas Thanksgiving!  It is always fun to catch up with cousins, aunts, uncles, and others we don’t get to see very often.

Watching football in post food coma!

And the day after Thanksgiving in Douglas tradition—we hit the Christmas tree farm with Jay, Angie and fam!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack news:  We decided to go after chess a little more vigorously.  So we hired Damir, who is from Bosnia, and a chess grand-master, and 22.  He comes once a week and tutors Jackson for an hour.  We all really like him, and think he is an excellent teacher.  Jackson’s chess has steadily improved and he even did well enough to earn a trophy at his last tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor is doing well too!  I had a conference with her preschool teacher last week and her teacher said we need to find new ways to challenge her at home.  Piano lessons start in January!!  She is such an extrovert!  With each passing hour that Jackson is at school, or she doesn’t have a play date you can almost see her energy draining!  On the other hand, put her with a friend, in swimming or ballet lessons, than she enters what Scott and I call ‘crack mode.’  She keeps us laughing, and repeatedly asks “Was that funny?  Am I funny?”  I’m sure this is a middle child thing :).

This painting project with Esther turned out really cute!

 

 

 

 

 

And Grant, everyone LOVES him.  At his 9 month appt the doctor asked ‘is he clapping’—No. ‘Is he waving?’  No.  I guess we have some things to work on!  It’s so funny that with the first child, this news would have upset me!

He is such a huggable guy and will go to anyone.  He never really fusses, we have been blessed with a great baby!  (Of course Tay was a great baby too, and we have had some ‘phases’ since).  So I’ll enjoy it now, and hope that it last!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His 4th haircut, he thought it was so funny!

 

 

 

 

 

Scotty is doing great.  We are on this crazy schedule where we climb in bed every night at 8, visit until we pass out at 8:30ish and then wake up at 4am (Scott more like 3:30, me more like 4:30).  During the 2-2.5 hours before the kids wakes up, Scott works on his computer, and I clean, return emails, scripture study, etc…So far it is working pretty well.  I’m sure Esther (who is living with us) thinks we’re crazy.  Beyond that, Scott had a strong review and is on track for promotion to project leader starting early in this coming year.

And things with me are going well.  Just gearing up for Christmas, Esther’s wedding, and our 10 day trip to Dominican Republic at the end of December!  Here is a picture from our ‘tie cutting’ Sunday school class.  Each time the children sang well they got to cut Greg’s tie—he was a hoot and played it up very well!

We’ll leave you with Jack’s cute note to the Prez!  Lots of love!