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12/11/16 October, November and December -- some of the highlights




It has been a super busy October, November and December.  Katie has kept us hopping as she completed the freshman volleyball season and then tried out and made the freshman basketball team.  She has practices every day before or after school for a couple of hours.   In addition she did marching band, jazz band, hope squad, national honor society and continued playing piano for seminary and young women's and attends young women's (2nd counselor) at church.  She goes to school early every morning for band and stays late every day.  I always feel like she is moving out in the morning and moving back in at the end of the day.  The schedule she keeps is pretty rigorous.  She managed to get through first and second quarter with all A's and probably one B in biology (which she is really not pleased about -- she was trying to be valedictorian). 

Holly also stays busy - also scoring all A's in school both semester.  Holly has joined robotics (a programming club) -- something we have never done with any of our other kids.  She really enjoys it and seems to be pretty talented at it.  Holly is doing basketball, young women's (president of her class), piano and playing trumpet and french horn.  She is very talented and happy and a joy to be around.   

Andy is burning the candle at both ends as he continues to broadcast, write and edit all sports all the time.  His schedule is super crazy and I often feel like a sports widow from September to May.  He loves what he does and is very talented at it so you gotta support it right?!  I don't know how he keeps going sometimes though as he will work crazy hours for days in a row.  




Grandma Griffin celebrated her 78th birthday this year with a dinner at Paula's restaurant. It was a fun evening with all the kids and spouses. (November 3)


Afterward we went over to the National Junior Honors Society meeting.  Katie got induced into NJHS and gave a short talk as she is secretary of the NJHS. 

November 18 - did an online drawing/painting class and we all tried our skills for an evening.  It was really fun to try something we don't usually do.  I think the pictures came out pretty impressive!!!











On December 2 we went to Sheron Steven's house and had cake decorating lessons.  The girls leared how to use fondant and tips and made some pretty impressive cakes. It was a really fun evening and they took some amazing skills from it and have tried a few more cakes since then. They look forward to furthering their abilities in this area as time allows.






On December 2 Holly had her first ever robotics scrimmage.  The girls on her team program a robot to perform activities.  They really enjoyed this experience.  They didn't do well in the competition but learned a lot and hope to do really well in January for their next scrimmage. 


Holly is on a Washington City Community Center (WCCC) basketball team and enjoys playing weekly.  She usually scores 2-5 baskets and is good defensively also.  Her team has won all but one of their games so far. 




Holly taught the twins some of what she learned with Sheron. 


Katie playing freshman basketball for PVHS team. 


Thanksgiving was at Santa Clara City hall since there was too many people to fit comfortably in anyone's home.  It was a really nice meal and a lot of fun to have everyone together.  We feel really blessed that all our children were able to be with us.  I keep hearing that gets harder and harder as they grow up and move out and on.  We treasure these times!







Christmas craft -- annual tradition to make at Thanksgiving
Experimenting with some new ways to make pizza.  Yummy!

Ward Christmas breakfast.  



Change is happening for me as the Judge of 35 years, my boss for 20 years - moves on to retirement.  Judge Bunnell was awesome to work for and it is hard to let go of a good thing.  Hopefully Judge Seegmiller will be as easy to work for as Judge B has been!  




Another fun new way to make pizza.  Yummy!





















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