Seven.Nine Years

 7.9 Years

• While Dad and Sam were in California, we had a great girls' weekend. We invited Elaine, Annie, and Grandma over for a crepe dinner. I was amazed at how many you all ate. Then, you and JoJo got to watch a younger girl movie upstairs. Lately, you love tying the fort making blanket to the bunk bed and then dragging it across to the chair so it makes almost like a lean-to fort. Then you pull out Maggie's mattress to lay on under the fort. It makes a great movie watching place. The next day, we drove with Maggie to Albany and watched BYU Folk Ensemble. Their folk dance team was amazing. You told me that you like the Philippine stacking dance and the Ukraine men's high kicking dance. There was a moment where you fell asleep. I guess we party too hard that night.
• You have been talking about a duck pond that you and Maddy went to. I have no idea what you were talking about. I hadn't seen any duck pond in Hasler Farms and I even went onto Google Earth to see if I could see it. Still nothing. Then one Sunday, I finally had you just walk me there. We had to go in this big circle because you only knew where to find it from the way Maddy showed you. There ended up being a very beautiful duck pond in Mari Ann Estates and yes, the let the public come and feed the ducks. There was one, big, scary goose. Mowgli hid behind us, so that was no help. We took the other kids the next week and you all discovered that the trees growing around the archways were kiwis. You all picked one and brought it home to ripen. They were small, but not too bad. 
• Even though it was sprinkling a bit, I wanted to get out to the mountains. I took you kids to Silver Falls and we tried a new hike. We saw four waterfalls and you all really like the middle falls. They were the kind that you could climb behind. 
• Piper has been such a good friend to you. She invited you to go to OMSI with her family and then go out for ice cream and sushi. You loved it!!
• Piano recital was early this year. You played Decked the Halls and Up on the House Top. This is your first year with a paid piano teacher and you have loved it. I love seeing you practice without asking. It has been awesome.
• Thanksgiving had a fun surprise. The Strasser came into town so you were able to see Laynee. They came to play dodgeball with us and then they invited you to go hiking at Silver Falls and then stop at our house afterwards for hot coco. It was great having Idaho friends see us. 
• We ended the Thanksgiving break with going out and getting a Christmas Tree. Before we left, I told you all to grab your jackets. Well, when we arrived, you were just in pants and a long sleeve jacket. I asked why you didn't grab your coat. You told me that you didn't think it was that cold. Well, it was 35-40 degrees outside. I lent you the gloves that I brought for myself and told you not to complain. The fireplace afterwards was well received by you.