Happy New Year!

2024 for us was busy.  I felt like we were really immersed in living in America again and everything that comes with.  We didn't have major changes but many small moments that mark the passage of our year.  I tried to spend as much time as possible with the kids as I know this was our last full year before Tucker turns 18 and starts moving on.  I have high hopes for 2025 and I know it is going to bring big changes for our family that I am both dreading and excited about.

Over the past year Bob was very busy with both his full time job and building a house.  That left me with being very busy taking care of six children and starting a new job.  I started working at the local elementary school so I could have hours that match the kids.  It was a big change for me but it has been going well and I would say is overall positive.

Tucker enjoyed playing on the high school soccer team, started a job lifeguarding at the YMCA and has been applying for college and planning his next stage of life. 

Penelope started high school, took driver's ed, and also enjoyed playing soccer for the high school team.

Scarlett is interested in the plants she is growing at school, she joined choir and she also started a book club with friends.

Leon made the big shift from elementary to middle school and is taking on much more schoolwork.  He started playing the clarinet and enjoys playing basketball in his room on his over the door hoop.  

Calista started second grade has started reading on her own and likes drawing.

Beatrix started kindergarten this year, she loves going to school with Calista and loves being the youngest in the family.

We took a similar picture of our kids ten years ago and so we tried to recreate it.