2014 - The first half

First let's look at a few Christmas 2013 photos , while the gifts were being opened

Here is Silas, surrounded by his mountain of stuff.  He was very appreciative for each item he opened.

Meg got a lot of interesting items, wild socks, a disco ball....

 Which one should i open first?

I think this snowman thing contains candy...hence the smile

Silas is planning his battle strategy for the pirate ship

Ok, So  That was Christmas -- it was very nice time at home.

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The first half of 2014 was very busy because each of the kids had their own sports schedule,

which created a lot of interesting transportation issues.

 

Silas played Basketball with the Upwards League at Church.  He learned a lot, and his skills improved remarkably.  We noticed he has more concern for his team mates (or opponents) than the actual game.  The Coaches noticed that he was a great Team-player.

 Silas on right side (#3)

Silas is #3 in the Gray

I didn't get a lot of photos from this season, because i missed a lot of these "games" and i was usually attending someone else's event.  However the "games" for 5-6 year olds look more like a mob and the action shots are hard to get.

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Meg played volleyball.

She played on a competitive league called Sonshine and enjoyed it.  She also played on the school team (Family Christian School) which was coached by Christal this year.  Once again, i missed most of the tournaments as i was chasing someone else

Meg is on the right, next to coach.

They did make it to the finals this year and are looking forward to next year

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Zack joined a rowing club (crew) and started Rowing.

This is where we spent many many saturdays leaving the house before sunrise and returning home after sunset.  A rowing event (race) is called a Regatta.  As a novice parent, I learned all sorts of things as we drove all over central florida.

While the rowers are busy doing lots of things, the parents sit on shore trying to figure out which boat and which event their kid is in.  Actually i discovered that these events are very fun.

The courses are typically 1500-2000 metres long (about a mile), and the vantage from shore is usually not so great, so these photos are from a bridge over the canal they came through after the race.  Zack is sitting in the stroke seat, which is closest to the coxswain.

 The Coxswain is the driver, sits in the rear of the boat , facing forward.  Zack in the stroke seat sets the pace (stroke rate) for the boat.

At the FSRA State Championship they receive their medals in boat immediately after the race.  Here is the "Freshmen 8" as they pulling up to the judges dock to receive their Silver medals.

 

Happy boat, all sporting their medals - Zack is third from right . Coach Stephan (far  right) was very happy with the Freshmen.

 

 Uncle Mark took this photo at another Regatta in Deland.  Looks like a smile.

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SILAS also got to go back to Green Meadows farm this year

Mema and Uncle Mark got to come too !

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Kindergarten graduation -- Silas' teacher hosted a fun graduation to 1st grade ceremony.  She really cares about the kids, and Silas has had a great year !

 The whole kindergarten class

 Mom, Dad, Silas, and Zack

 Silas' kindergarten teacher - Mrs Chesmore

Megan was also asked to speak at the 8th grade graduation and help award the Fruit of the Spirit awards.  She and Brianna wrote their whole speeches together.