Zach, Josh and Julia on the front page

The kids were excited to see that they made the front page of the Castro Valley Forum. On Monday we were up at the church sorting food for the PTA Outreach program. All the Castro Valley schools collect food donations and then all the food is picked up and taken to the Mormon church for sorting and packing into boxes for families who need help to have a Thanksgiving dinner.

Zach is the most obvious, since he is right up front. Josh is a little harder to pick out in the scan, since it is so dark and he is wearing a black jacket. Julia is a little easier to see with her tie dye peace shirt and Yankees hat. (Steve and I were there too, just not famous enough to make it in the picture.)

My scan of the picture did not turn out that great. I was going to try to do it again to see if I could make it lighter, but the kids took the newspaper and so that is not an option any more.

Zach's first guitar

Zach started taking guitar lessons last week. He had asked me numerous times to call Julia's piano teacher to see if her husband Glen, who teaches guitar, had any openings. I called on Wednesday and Glen had an opening on Thursdays at 4:30. We went the next day to the guitar shop, bought a guitar and headed to his lesson. Zach was so excited. He has so far maintained his enthusiasm and practices diligently every day.

Julia's birthday party

Julia is 11!

I took 5 pictures of Julia and the boys, and this is the best one. Sad, but true!


Julia had her party (on Friday the 13th) at a local craft store called Jazzy Crafts. The girls got to roam the store and pick out beads to make a necklace. Then we moved all the beads out of the way and had pizza and cake. Julia got to paint her hand and add her handprint to the store's party wall. (Next time we are there I will have to remember to take a picture of it!)

I wish I would have taken a picture of each girl with her necklace. They all did a great job and the necklaces were all interesting and unique.

Happy Birthday Julia

Our little girl is 11!

Julia's Nov 09 piano recital

Julia played three songs at her recital:

Take Me Out to the Ballgame - with Mom

The Entertainer - with Allison

Allegro Deciso - with Kate, Grace and Jonathon