Panther's 1st tournament of 2010

Maggie's tournament basketball team, the Panthers, headed down to Battleground, WA (NE of Portland, OR) for their first tournament of the season. We had 3 games with one hour between each, so there was a lot of time for bonding. They played great, won all three games and took home first place! Way to go girls!!!

The Panther's hanging out between games (and Lanna with her usual cameo)

Maggie bonding with her teammates.

Cousin Jo was up visiting for the weekend so Lanna had someone to play with during the marathon day.

The Panthers showing off their 1st place medals.

And the official tournament 1st place photo.

Way to go Panthers!

School Music Concerts

December is time for the annual school concerts, and Maggie and Lanna had their on the same day. Maggie is playing the clarinet this year, which she must play before she can move on to the saxophone, which is her real desire. She had a one measure solo at the concert, and did great.

Maggie playing at her first middle school concert.

Lanna's concert was earlier in the day and she performed as part of her 4th grade class, the choir and the mallet club. Hence, we got to hear her perform a lot that day and enjoyed all of it. The choir meets twice per week before school and the mallet club meets twice per week as well, but during one of the school recesses. Lanna has really enjoyed being a part of both the choir and mallet club.

Lanna with the rest of the choir (second row, center, behind the girl with the blue and red plaid shirt.)

Lanna performing with the mallet group.

Winterhawks game and Teddy Bear Night

We went to the annual Winterhawks Teddy Bear night with friends and had a blast.

4th graders Lanna, Eastyn, Peyton and Macy, having a good time together, waiting to throw their bears.

The "cooler" 6th graders, Auni and Maggie.

Mom and Dad even enjoyed themselves.

For those that don't know about teddy bear night, once the Winterhawks score their first goal, the fans fill the ice with teddy bears and other stuffed animals. These go to Dornbecher Children's hospital in Portland and other local charities.

Teddy bears pelting the ice.

Cleaning up the more than 12,000+ bears that filled the rink.

The girls had a good time this evening...

And even saw themselves on the big screen (upper right hand corner).

Great night and hope to go again next year.

Charlie Update

Charlie continues to be a joy in our lives and do some funny, cute and curious things. She is a real cuddler and nuzzler, and wakes one of us every morning with her wet, drippy nose and excessive purring.

Did we get the bean bags for the cat or the kids?

I'm confused, do we burn the wood or the cat? Wait, tried the cat already.

"Who? Me?"

Exhausted, she rests in front of the fire.

"I love Peter the Penguin"

We love you too Charlie!

Christmas Tree Farm Visit

We did the annual tree farm visit this year to get our Christmas tree, feed the animals and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Found our tree.

Lanna helped hold the tree while Dan cut it down.

Maggie supervised and provided the "motivation".

They packed it up the hill (while I took pictures from the van.)

"Are we there yet?"

Feed the greedy goats.

Picture with rasta man (the llama, not Dan).

Pictures for all with Santa Claus.

And Mrs. Claus.

Great day with the family.

Thanksgiving 2010

We enjoyed Thanksgiving this year at the Belmont-Smith house. The girls headed down Wednesday after school and spent the evening with their cousins and then ran the Turkey Stuffer the next morning. As a bonus, after the run they got to play at the indoor water park in Springfield and spent more than 3 hours there, even after running a 5 k. They had a blast.

Mom and Dad showed up later that morning due to MMHS football practice for a state playoff game. Both sides of the Belmont-Smith family were there, and we had quite a bit of fun.

Vegging out.

Lanna and Cole taking a time out to enjoy some ice cream.

Maggie, Dan and Lanna

Lanna and Skylar showing off their "raffle" gifts.