Happy Birthday Ari!

Ari had a fun birthday party last Saturday,

and came to visiti me yesterday at school.

She is growing up fast!

Happy Birthday Butterfly Girl!

A VERY Happy BELATED Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Emma. I know it is veeeerrry late.

I love this little wall hanging you made for me many years ago.

Your smiles brings back happy memories.

Dad and I hope you have a wondeful year.

Happy Birthday, daughter. Love you!!

Our Friends, Judy and Jensen

Some of you know our friends, Judy and Jensen. On Wednesdays I help them with English; reading and grammar skills. It reminds me a little bit of English Class in Japan. They are pretty good students, and have made some nice improvements.

When they went to Thailand they brought back Thai silk princess dresses for our little princesses. What a wonderfull surprise!! Ari is in pink, and Cirrus is in green. I think the girls are beautiful in their silk dresses.

Thank you, Judy and Jensen!!!

Owls

On MLK Day we were working at the property and I went out the solarium door. A large bird flew down from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. It looked like an owl to me. I went out front and then came back the same way. Again a bird flew from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. I told Keith I thought we had owls. I waited upstairs for quite a while and didn't see anything.Tuesday after school, I tiptoed and went quietly out the solarium door and stared at an owl sitting in the rafters. I went to Wildflower, and when Keith came home we got ready to go bird watching. We didn't have much success.Wednesday after school we finally were able to see the owl. Only to discover that there are two owls. Here is the first one that flew away.

This is the one that was left.

Keith tried to take video. It is where I snatched the photos from. My little camera did not do justice. So far we have had kill-deer nesting, hummingbirds nesting, wood peckers, and now owls. It is kind of cool.

Lots Going On....

Hmm, that seems to be an understatement. Christmas went by in a world wind,

spent with Great Oma at her care center on the 24th,

and at David and Jana's Christmas Day.and New's Year Eve was different.

Cirrus spent the night to help me out

and to sew something for her Barbie.

Allarts tend to sleep with their feet sticking out.

I guess Cirrus has those genes.Mom came home on New Year's Eve. She was happy to be home,

and we were concerned for her well being.

We decided as a family to have our celebration at 4:00 pm.

The time it is New Years in the Netherlands.

We had prayer, well wishing, food, and games.

Everyone was ready to leave between seven and eight.

It was nice to come home and relax.

Busy December

On December 20th we assembled for the

annual women's breakfast.

Mom was able to join us. Keith drove me and then went to sit by himself.

Emma decided Opa shouldn't be by himself

and handed Xanthisa to him.

The staff at IHOPS were fascinated with the baby.

I finished Elliot's stocking and we mailed a

Christmas Package to Arizona and one to Indiana.

Monday morning Ari, Cirrus, and Crimsel helped to make gingerbread cookies.

Here they are selecting cookie cutters.

The girls were very pleased with the pink and purple aprons.

Everyone loved rolling out the dough.Ta-da! Finished cookies.

There were thin ones and thick ones,

but plenty to go around for Christmas Eve. Laura took Ari and Bree home before the impending snowstorm.

Crimsel and Cirrus spent the day. When Opa came home we went to visit Great Oma.

I can't remember if Cirrus or Crimsel took this picture of Great Oma.

Crimsel took this picture of his sister.

I think he did a fantastic job.

Her eyes look incredible.

After eating dinner with Great Oma we went to her room where the kids had a lot of fun.

Getting a hug from Great Oma before leaving.

Happy Birthday Dirk!

Happy Birthday to my middle child, my youngest boy. I was excited to be able to call this boy Dirk, my father's name. He was an early Christmas present, and came home on Christmas day. He was brought to me in a red stocking to take home. Dirk was born at 8:29 AM, PST, at Tacoma General Hospital. Dirk has always been a happy person, and willing to help others. He's a natural leader, genuinely interested in others, obedient, and has a strong testimony of the Gospel.

Dirk loves life. He loves people, and has a big heart. I love to see him with his wife and two little girls. He truly loves them and has a lot of patience with the little ones.

Dirk has a winning smile, and has worked hard to finish his BS at the U of U with honors. From the beginning Dirk liked to pose for the camera. I think he has a natural talent.

Happy Birthday Dirk! Dad and I love you!!!