Ephraim 12 year video

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Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from the Ridays!

It’s time to review the year and to send a little update on what we’ve been up to. Some highlights from 2014, in no particular order, or perhaps some resemblance of chronological order: J

- Holding a Red-tailed Hawk. We were on a Sunday drive and somebody at a park was there with his hawk. He was one of very few licensed hawk handlers in our state. Awesome!

- Heathcliffe made lots of delicious maple syrup from trees in our yard

- Ephraim’s Alternative “Mona Lisa” art was on display at a local pizza restaurant.

- Heathcliffe, Jen & boys got to learn how to drive motorcycles with some family friends. It was great.

- Great Grandma Bertha (Jen’s Grandma) died peacefully at Aunt Jana’s home after a battle with congestive heart failure. Jana’s loving care for Grandma for several years was truly amazing and a beautiful act of love.

- Grandma Johnson taught Azael and Ephraim how to drive in their old beater pick-up.

- Heathcliffe & Jen celebrated their 15^th anniversary. It falls on the summer solstice, so we celebrated with friends around a bonfire.

- The 17-year cicadas came out while at a family get-together in Springbrook, Iowa. Heathcliffe measured the volume at 90 dB.

- Ephraim started Middle School. Azael and Ephraim both participated in Middle School drama performances and did a great job.

- We did some time-traveling in the Tardis (at Epic Systems near our home) with some good friends.

- All three boys had fun at scout camps this summer.

- Heathcliffe & kids started building a tree house. It’s not done, but maybe in 2015 we’ll report that it’s finished. J

- Azael flew alone to visit his grandparents Miha & BJ, Aunt Glummie, Uncle Cosimo & cousins Wayra & Indra in Switzerland.  He had a great 3 weeks there.

- Lorelai learned to sew (with a kit) and made her own stuffed animal cat all by herself. She is diligent.

- We visited the Apostle Islands and camped on Madeline Island. You can only take a ferry to get to the island. It was wonderful and so relaxing.

- We visited Nauvoo again and enjoyed the horse rides, blacksmith, temple and more.

- Jane started 4K and was very excited. Her first bus ride was scary, but on day 2 she never looked back and has sprinted to get on the bus ever since.

- Cora turned 1. She is the happiest baby and everyone adores her and picks her up/plays with her every chance they can.

Life is busy and full, but it seems that the simplest things in life, including time spent with family and friends, give us the greatest pleasure. We wish you a joyous holiday season and an inspiring 2015.

Love,

Heathcliffe, Jen, Azael, Ephraim, Silas, Lorelai, Jane & Cora

Cora Turns One!

Cora celebrated a birthday and she is 1 year old now! She is a very happy, active baby who already goes up and down stairs with ease and is walking. We love her and she brings lots of happiness to our family. Happy Birthday sweet Cora! 

Here is a video of the fun:

Back to School!

Jane started 4K today. She has come so far, going from the clinging, unsure toddler to a confident preschooler. She loves to play with dolls and her Frozen movie figures. She has a stellar imagination and a sweet singing voice. She has strong opinions and does what she wants, no matter who or what might get in her way. Great work Jane! Note: Jane gets extra pictures because it was her very very first time going to school and riding the bus. So we happened to be standing out there with her longer. The others just went on their merry way without much fuss. :)

nervous?

a "cool pose" while waiting for the bus.

A new headband knitted by a kind friend from church. Thanks Marin!

Ephraim is a middle schooler! He is really excited to participate in drama and ski club, as well as be a master in math (OK, I added the last goal, but it's a good one, right?). He is very empathetic and really cares about people. He has an extremely high energy level, which gives his parents and teachers the opportunity to stretch their patience. Luckily the "loving personality" component makes up for that.

Silas is a 4th grader today! He is confident, competitive, and a hard & efficient worker. He does about half of the work when the kids are asked to clean something because he moves so quickly and doesn't complain. He is a leader with a hoard of boys at school who really look up to him. His hyper-competitiveness makes for an interesting scene when he loses a game (let's just say we're working on sportsmanship). Have a great year Silas!

Lorelai starts 2nd grade today. She is extremely social and excited to see her friends again. Her summer goals show part of her personality: "I want to learn cooking, how to watch babies, and typing." In addition to having domestic goals, she is extremely smart and described by her teacher as "a model student." She currently tends to be dramatic (like the divas in a Disney Movie), which her brothers constantly beg her to stop doing.

Azael is now in 8th grade. He is practically an adult, in body as well as in spirit. This summer he traveled alone to Switzerland and he wasn't nervous at all. He loved it. He enjoyed scout camp, too. He spent almost every waking moment of the other 7 weeks of summer taking an algebra course. He is very opinionated and sometimes stubborn, but all in all he's a great kid who knows what he wants and goes and gets it.

Cora isn't starting school, of course, but I wanted to give a little update: She is such a happy baby, crawling, almost walking, and into everything. She loves hugging, babbling, getting into things, eating, dancing, and so on. She is everyone's favorite person. The kids all seek her out and can't keep their hands off her, even if we ask them to. :)

Nauvoo

This past weekend we visited Nauvoo, Illinois. It was peaceful, quiet, and perfect. 

Madeline Island - Apostle Islands - Bayfield

We recently drove to the Apostle Islands and rode a ferry to Madeline Island where we camped for 4 days. The weather was cloudy, rainy, and the high temp was 68 degrees. Yet, we STILL had FUN! We swam 2 different days (don't ask me how they survived the cold Lake Superior temps (water average temperature was 59 degrees), but you will notice some blue lips in these photos). We will definitely do more camping. We had 1 large tent for Dad, Mom & girls, 1 medium tent for the 3 boys, and 1 screen tent for eating. The gear was the key. Plus good attitudes. PLUS: I listened to a book on tape a lot of the time. Bliss! :)

Video first, then photos: