Birthday Sleepover

Due to our busy schedules, Sadie ended up having her birthday sleepover a few weeks after her birthday.

Little brothers enjoying some pizza

Sophia, Elsie, Liz and Elizabeth

Sydney, Ellie and Sadie

In lieu of gifts, Sadie asked her friends to bring a donation to our local animal shelter.  :)

Then they got crazy with glow masks

What a great group of girls!  I am thankful that Sadie has these girls and I hope that they stick together next year in middle school!!

Happy 12th Birthday, Sadie!

Today, Sadie is 12.  Wow, I can't believe it!  She can now babysit other people's kids!  Weird.  Sadie is growing into a beautiful young lady.  She is kind, sweet, funny, bossy at times (but a great leader) and absolutely loves her family and friends.  She is an absolute joy, and we are blessed to have her in our family.  :)  I can't wait to see what plans God has in store for Sadie over the next several years. 

Birthday breakfast!  ( She requested Dad's Dutch Babies)

A phone?  Yep, a phone.  ;)

And for the birthday girl's birthday dinner?  Red Robin, of course!  Yum!

Nothing like being embarrassed on your birthday!

Happy Birthday, Sadie, we love you soooo much!!

Roxy

One ofSadie's birthday gifts was a gift card for Petsmart from my mom.  Sadie had decided she was ready for a new hamster (Molly died in May, I think).  So after the party a bunch of us headed over to Petsmart to let Sadie pick out her new pet!  She picked out a super cute black and white short haired hamster.

The family documenting the event!

Roxy was a really mellow hamster and so very sweet.  Unfortunately, we did not realize this wasn't necessarily a good thing.  Sadly, she died only 3 weeks later.  We aren't sure why, but are guessing that she had some sort of anomaly that shortened her life.  :(

Sadie's Birthday Party

Sadie is turning 12!!  I can't believe it!  It is amazing how time flies.  This year we had her family birthday party before her birthday, in the midst of our crazy Fall schedule!

Auntie Alyssa and Drew

Jody and Jeni

Sadie and Madison :)

Friends, Family and FOOD!!

Zack and Grandma Betsey

The silly birthday girl

Present Time!!

Madison loved helping Sadie!

Captive audience! :)

Tony's birthday is only 4 days after Sadie's, so we usually get to celebrate his at the same time!

Golf balls = a new set of golf clubs!

Don't forget dessert.  A chocolate fountain was this girl's request!

Soccer Stars

The end of Summer means that it's soccer time again! I never played soccer, but I have really enjoyed watching my kids play.  And since Fall here is usually pretty tame, it isn't too cold or too muddy for most of the season. 

I sure love these two!

Drew's team was the Orange Dragons and Zack's was the Blue Jets

Zack getting ready for a throw-in

Action shot of Drew

:)

Green III

Karate testing time came around again, and this time Zack went for his green 3!!  He did amazing, as usual. 

Anxiously waiting for his turn

The sparring portion

Doing his kata

He did it!!!

Third white stripe!

Zack and Sensei Guido.  He has taught Zack SO much!

Zack will try for his brown belt in 6 months!!

First Day of School 2012

Alas, the school year has begun again. It's funny how we are so anxious for summer and we have a blast, but then by the time Fall rolls around, we kind of feel ready for the school year again. I guess it's a good thing!

Filling them up before the first day

First back to school picture in front of our new house!

I like kid feet  :)

Drew's new classroom.  First grade with Mrs. Boyer

Zack getting to work.  3rd grade with Mr. Rice

Sadie didn't want a picture in her classroom.  6th grade with Mrs. K/P (Kragt and Pruss)

The traditional first day pictures in front of the Jackson sign

I sure love these kids!  I am praying for a wonderful year for all three of them!