Staying Fit: Hop-A-Thon, Fun Run and Powell Track

I love that our schools have many outlets to promote health and fitness with our kiddos! 

 Hop-A-Thon 2015

 PTO sponsored event that raised around $11,000 this year for our school! 

 Fun Run 2015

Our Hopkins kiddos run up the hill to Twain Elementary and then we all run back together. 

The PTO buys a Hopkins T-shirts for every kid in the school- just LOVE this tradition! 

 Our PE teacher runs this event for the school. 

 Powell Track and Field

 The twins signed up for this after school and I was so proud of them for trying! 

Can't even believe they could jump over those hurdles. 

 long jump

100 meter dash 

Love that they are growing up with lots of exercise! 

Arianna's Summer Piano Recital

Ari is still taking piano lessons and had a great recital this summer. I am getting so excited because she has always wanted to play in our church and Julie has been teaching her how to do that! There is nothing better than singing praises to Jesus with your daughters! Made my heart so happy! 

Arianna

 My sweet Ari...
1. She is finishing elementary school this week!
2. She loves to read- right now historical fiction and, as always, anything to do with pets.
3. She wants a puppy more than anything!
4. She loves bunnies.
5. She just moved down into the basement and loves snuggling with her twin.
6. She plays the piano and is doing great! Going on 2 years...
7. She's going to start diving lessons this sumer.
8. She has started babysitting with parents in the home and does great with kiddos.
9. She loves minecraft and music (she's a good singer)
10. She loves hanging out with her friends.
11. She bites her nails.
12. She is a very picky eater.

Christmas Recital

Arianna and Ella had their first ever recital the Friday before Christmas. Both girls started their instruments about 5 months ago and I think have improved greatly! I couldn't believe that they were even ready for a recital this early. We let them get all fancy (something they haven't done in forever!) Even bought them new little black patent leather heels for the occasion:) Special thanks to my in-laws for allowing us to use their home/piano for the recital.

 Ms. Britta teaches Ella.

Ms. Julie teaches Arianna.

Here is Arianna Playing:

Here is Ella playing: 

 Little Brynne also played in the recital. 

Nerd culture is cool in this house

{My Twinners}

Day 13- Mark Builds a House in Kitali/ Ari gets her haircut, fun with friends

before

 Arianna got her hair cut today. To those of you who struggle to tell the twins apart, now it will be very easy:) She looks very different from Sophia. This was all her idea and she really wanted her bangs back. Personally, I love her in bangs. It fits her personality well. 

after

 We were able to spend the day with friends today. 

The kids had fun playing at Maddie and Clara's house and 

Erika and I enjoyed discussing the Bible Study we are working thru. It was very encouraging. 

The Fish Fam invited us over for dinner tonight and Arianna and Sophia are sleeping over, which they are SO very excited about:) The day went fast. Only 5 days and Mark will be home! 

Maddie is teaching Sophia how to knit:) 

Mark and the team built another house today in Kitali. He should be calling soon:) Peace out! 

Double the Celebrations!

 We started the twins 8th birthday with the traditional birthday pancake breakfast:) 

We then went to Bear Creek Lake to spend the day in the water and sand.

 They loved it! Val and her two little ones joined us for a little while. 

LOVE this picture! 

We ate dinner at Red Robin and they got sung to by the wait staff which is their favorite:) 

Sunday, we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Tina, 

Aunt Emy, Alex, Val, Avery and Great Grandma!

The twins got there very own cameras for their birthday! They were beyond excited and I have a very special post to showcase their "talent" in photography.

Grandma also took them to the zoo with their cousins on Monday! 

And then today, they were able to bring 2 friends each to Heritage Square in leu of a party:)

It was a VERY fun day spent with friends getting dizzy in the sun! 

 So glad that Erika could come along and help with all the kiddos and help with transportation. 

And Clara and Elijah and Ella scored having older siblings, because they got to join in on the fun:)

Poor Arianna got pretty sick after the Tilt-a-Whirl. 

 classic scrambler fun