2012.....The Year of the DRAGON!!!!!!!!

photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

Christmas 2011

Cousins

G & G Rohm with their Grandkids

Us

Jeff and Asher

With Cousin Jenny and Family from New Hampshire

Grandpa Wetzel and many of his Grands and Great-Grands

Rachel and David's baby, Kennedy

Danette, Dad Wetzel, and Paul

Derek with Great Grandma Amstutz

Grandma A. and Me

Holiday Concerts!

Three of the kids had holiday concerts to attend.  Ava had a "Go West" theme.  Aslynn's group did "The Polar Express (wearing pj's).  Daniel had two choir concerts.  An informal one uptown to kickoff the downtown lights and Christmas festivities.  It was cold!!!!  The other concert was his more formal concert, wearing his favorite penguin-style attire!  Missed not having Derek participate in a Christmas choir concert this year, but he was not able to squeeze choir into his schedule.  The girls also performed a newer rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" at church. 

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving in Cedarville.  We got to spend some time with Great Grandma Amstutz.  Of course, spending time with Cousin Asher and Uncle Jeff is always a hit.  Grandma and Grandpa prepared a yummy dinner!  So fun to be able to spend time with family on these holidays.  We missed that when we lived so far away!  Now, we only have to travel an hour and a half to see both sides of the family!  Pretty spoiled!!!!!  :)  The girls are very creative!  They are displaying the bows and arrows, etc. they made for decorations!!!!!  Clever girls!!!!!!

Daniel's 12th Birthday!!!!

Daniel turned 12 this year, and even though dad was out of the country for his special day, we made the most of it by meeting Grandma and Grandpa Rohm at Smashburger and Coldstone Creamery in Dayton.  Since Daniel is not a big cake fan, we celebrated with morning cinnamon rolls at home!  He was able to put his birthday money together to buy himself an Ipod Touch, which has been his DREAM!!  It has been permanently connected to his hand these days!  Funny how much better we take care of things when we shell out our own money for things like this.  It has been a good lesson in taking responsibility and being careful in how we handle such delicate devices.  Daniel is growing up (and I mean literally) so much!  We are so thankful to God for giving us this precious guy!  Love you, Daniel!

Misc. Fun Pics!!!!!

Fall Sports Wrap-up 2011

First of all, Daniel has not been purposefully left out of this.  He did participate in Fall Flag Football.  I just can't remember what camera we used to take his picture.  May be Paul's cell phone.  Will try to add it later!  :)  Ava has been taking swimming lessons a few rounds at Miami since we moved here.  She has really gotten so much stronger since she started.  She knows all the basic strokes.  She has just about conquered her fear of swimming on her back.  She has had the opportunity to learn at such a great facility with great instructors. 

Aslynn has been taking gymnastics at Miami since we moved here.  She enjoys the personalized attention she gets there.  It is a less competitive atmosphere, which is her style.  She pushes herself, but doesn't care so much to compete against others.  She has learned to do a back handspring by herself this past year, which makes her extremely proud.  She has gotten so much stronger with her back walkovers and her basic round-offs and cartwheels.  She is getting beam, bar, and vault practice, as well.  The picture is actually from last spring.  I have yet to take pictures this year, but the pics always look the same pretty much.  Not much variety.  Maybe I'll get some video on here to show what she can do!

Derek had an excellent football year personally.  He received his first varsity letter, as a sophomore.  His goal was to just get on the field for varsity this year, yet he ended up being a starter all year for varsity.  His coach told the parents at the football banquet that Derek was probably the most technically sound player on the team.  He continues to work on his size......as much as he can........He lifts faithfully daily.  If you hear of any way to stretch one's heighth, please let him know.  He could use a few more inches, a least!!!