Chillin in Illin: January 2011

Oh ya.....about that blogging thing. You know....the thing I said I'd do once per month now that we have moved to the boonies? Well....uh.....life happened. Sorry. I have now posted my QUARTERLY report on the Shafer family. Lots of stuff goin on here in the great state of Illinois including gymnastics meets, basketball for Isaac, frozen hair (-22 degrees!), visitors, Christmas in Canada, a week in Idaho, Christmas in the city and, yes, more lost teeth.

A quick history of the past few months: We spent Thanksgiving with the Kohlers who were in town from Wyoming. Had a great time. We spent Christmas in Ottowa, Ontario, CA with my sister, Kristin, nephew, Riley, brother Zac and extended family up there. It was fantastic! The 14 hour drive was a piece of cake, Ottawa was beautiful this time of year and I haven't been 80's dancing in....well.....a long time so it was WELL overdue. You haven't heard Paradise City until you've heard it WHILE watching me mosh-pit-head-bang to it in the middle of a club.....

Sadie has 3 gymnastics meets under her belt and is having a ball. The second meet in Michigan was met with....well....true Shafer style. After getting Sadie to the meet "late" when we thought we were early (these Illinoisans have NO idea how to run a gymnastics meet) :0) Sadie proceeded to leave her grips (what she needs to be able to compete on bars) back at Mike and Melyssa's house an hour away. Yep.....those of you who know us just laugh at this scenario. I, however, felt like quitting the sport altogether and I"m not even the one who is doing it! Nonetheless, Sadie was THRILLED to have her first 1st place medal in Illinois for floor at that meet and proceeded to take 1st on bars, 2nd on beam and 2nd all around at her meet his last weekend here in Illinois. Just in case you didn't get my annoying text that already told you that. Sadie is enjoying school but rather looking forward to homeschooling for the long haul after this year. This whole school thing really steals our freedom! :0)

Isaac has started basketball once a week for the next month and LOVES it. He will then move on to a month of galaxy soccer (pre-team) before beginning spring soccer with the local park district here in March. In addition to this Isaac has officially lost his 2 front teeth. Heartless are we who, immediately after getting them each pulled, while blood is dripping from his mouth, begin to say, "Hey Isaac! Say sausage....say sissy.....say Sally sells seashells by the seashore" just to get a kick out of the lisp.

We spent a week in Idaho this month visiting old friends (ahem....family) and had a blast! It was very hard to say goodbye but we are so grateful that Sadie got this wonderful surprise from God and Santa at Christmas time. To all who hosted us for one night, two nights, five hours and the like we are so thankful! To those who joined me for dinner and a girls night out.....THANK YOU! It was so wonderful to see every last one of you. We can't wait to come back in June for longer.

Now, enjoy some pictures of our life over the past few months and I'll post again.....well.......

Sadie's 1st Chorus Concert--Dec. 2010