Lucky 13

Ray and I celebrated our 13th anniversary with a wonderful dinner out.  We spent much of our time talking about and deciding what event was the highlight of each year of our marriage.  Some years it was hard to come up with one big thing.  I guess life is like that.  There are those mountain-top times and events, but so much of our lives are spent in the everyday.  When we look at those everyday events as blessings, we spend our lives filled with gratitude.  I can't think of anyone else I would rather be spending my big and small moments with!  Happy Anniversary, Ray Semadeni.

Camo Belt

Will is just loving Karate, and he spent a week in Karate Camp after VBS at the beginning of summer.  He ended up coming out of the camp with a new Camo Belt.  He worked very hard, and we are so proud of him!

Graham and Will - Great Friends!

Rough Riders

For Christmas Forty, Robin, Jack, and Sophie gave us a gift certificate to use toward a Rough Rider game  in the spring or summer.  It was fun for the kids to see the stadium and experience their first minor league game.  There was not a bad seat in Dr. Pepper Ballpark.  It was especially fun because Robin, Forty, and Jack were able to join us at the game.  My kids really have a great time with Jack, and he has the best personality.  The highlight of the nights was when one of the players tossed a game ball up to Allison.  She was so proud!  Of course, there was a lot of focus on the food that night, too!  Thanks, Robin and Forty, for a great gift of time together.

Earlier that day the Dunbars were in town and stopped by for a couple of hours.  It was great getting to visit with Jami, and the kids had so much fun playing!

Dance Recital 2011

Allison had a lot of fun in her dance recital this year.  Her jazz song was "Rock God".  She had several friends from school in a different class, and they had fun posing for pictures together.  We love Lifesong, and it has been such a blessing for our family.

"Lifesong"

Empty hands held high

Such small sacrifice

If not joined with my life

I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign Your name to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life

A living sacrifice

To reach a world in need

To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Let my lifesong sing to You 

More Pictures...

Here are some pictures my cousin, Wendy, from California, took at the services.

Wendy, Bob, and Kim

Debbie, Bill, and Ruth 

Ruth and Newman

Caelia, Wendy, and Julianna

Kim and Cynthia

Lunch between the services

Service Pictures

The service for my grandmother was a beautiful tribute to her life.  There was a burial in the morning at Restland, and then a Memorial Service at Faith United Presbyterian Church (formerly Covenant Presbyterian Church) that afternoon.  There was a slide show of pictures playing at the service and huge display of pictures in the room from various stages of her life.  Many people came to her service, and I, personally felt so supported by many of my amazing friends.  We also had relatives from California in town.  After the service, Bill and Kristen had us over to Royal Oaks Country Club where my parents treated everyone to a time of swimming and dinner.  It was the perfect way to end the day, and the kids had a great time playing with cousins.  Here are some pictures to capture the day.

Caroline, Katherine, Allison, and Will

Allison, Julianna, and Caelia

Faith United Presbyterian Church

Marci, Becky, Beth, Lynn, Susan, and Ruthann