Christmas 2011

Ben camped out in front of the tree this year hoping to see Santa. He's a very sound sleeper and even a stocking crashing to the ground once didn't wake him.

 

 

Plant Cell

For extra credit in Science, Kaylee made a model of a plant cell.  She got the extra credit points and was awarded project that "Displays Most Effort"

Larissa Got Braces

NJ Battleship Sleepover

Ben, Larissa and Mom spent a night on the USS New Jersey Battleship located in Camden, NJ with the cub scouts.  After everyone arrived we listened to safety instruction and had roll call.  Afterwards we had dinner and a long tour of the ship.  In the sleeping quarters Ben was on the bottom bunk, Mom in the middle and Larissa on the top.  The beds were pretty comfortable but it was very hot and thus making it diffucult to sleep (at least for some of us).  The next morning we were awoken at 7:15 for flag raising and breakfast.  We finished our stay with self guided tours and left with a greater respect for our country and the men and women who have and still serve in the armed forces

Happy Birthday Larry

Larissa on her 14th Birthday.

 

and the cake Kaylee made for her.

 

If it looks familiar you must be a Harry Pottery fan....and yes her friends sometimes call her Larry!

Cello

Larissa decided she wanted to learn to play the cello and started taking lessons in September.  She's come a long way already and is preparing to play a Bach Minuet in the upcoming recital.



Soccer Season

Ben's team was the cougars, he scored 2 goals this season, 2 better then last year, woohoo!!

Kicking the ball against the garage door, lots of fun, right Ben?

 

 

Larissa's final year on the Recreation Team

 

 

Halloween 2011

Kaylee a sailor girl and Ben a Ben 10 character

Larissa was placed in the Hufflepuff house from the Pottermore site, and while she was unhappy about this at first, she eventually decided it was cool and dressed as a Hufflepuffer for Halloween.  This is a picture she took herself, I'm still hoping she'll put the costume on again for a better shot.  She's also wearing a black mini skirt, black knee highs and black shoes.

Because of a snow storm school was acutally closed on Halloween which was a  Monday.  Snow clung to the leaves on the trees making them heavy and causing branches to break off, more damage then I've every seen in this town.  You could hear branches snapping every direction. Clean-up is still ongoing two weeks later.  Anyways, the girls were a bit unhappy about the school closing because they get to wear costumes and the older kids make Halloween booths with games and prizes for the 4th and 5th graders.  They ended up doing the booths later that week minus the costumes.  Ben's school (in another district) was open, but he ended up staying home anyways so he could fully recover from a stomach virus the day before, unfortunely he missed his Halloween parade and party.  All  three kids went out trick-or-treating  that afternoon and ended up with tons of candy.

Daniel Turns 16

October 7, 2011 marks Daniel's 16th birthday.  He is very happy as you can see with this new PC game Oblivion. 

Here he is holding either Dragon Age Origins or Pokemon White.

I might of just mentioned Elder Scrolls was pre-ordered for him, causing an even bigger smile.

1st day of 2nd grade

 

 

Ben is still at the Godwin School in Midland Park but this year he's in a class with both hearing and hearing impaired kids, he still has all of his best buddies with him.  He was very excited his first day of school.  He had his clothes all ready to go the night before, but had to pick something warmer as it was quite chilly that morning.

Beach Shadows and more...

 

 

Cape May Zoo

Mr. Bear and the Nam kids

Getting around the zoo is easier on the back of big brothers wheelchair.

Dolphins

 Dolphins photographed by Larissa on our Cape May boat tour. These guys come up for seconds so you have to react fast.

 

Dance Camp

Kaylee attended a two week dance camp in July.  She actually enjoyed the crafting and free times best, but performed beautifully at the last day dance show.  Here she is in her dance clothes and a collection of the crafts she made. (Photography was not permitted at the show).

Ben says "Kaylee looks sad in this picture"  true she does, but we'll post it anyways.  She did overall enjoy the camp and might even return next year.

Opera

Larissa and Kaylee were part of a kids chorus that sang with the NY Grand Opera Company in Cental Park performing Puccini's La Boheme conducted by Vincent La Selva.  The chorus teacher at their school is part of the group and was asked to form the kids chorus.  They practiced for many weeks learning the songs in Italian and looked and sounded fabulous on stage.

 

Bass Clarinet

The school bassoon is broken, so Larissa is switching to bass clarinet, while waiting for repairs.  I love the sound of the bass clarinet, but she says, Ohhh, I miss my bassoon.

Weekend at Stone Harbor