Aletta's Birthday

Following Aletta's Saturday soccer game, we held a birthday party at a playground at the soccer park with Aletta's teammates.

Aletta turned 7 on the 27th.

Sisters at Aletta's Birthday Party

Rachel enjoyed Aletta's birthday party, but was already wearing her Middle School soccer uniform. She was anxiously awaiting her team's first County Tournament game.

Despite her father's repeated teasing that her team is the "Flaming Pumpkins," they are really the just the "Flames." Plenty of extended family are Kennewick High School alumnus, so should appreciate the colors.

Rachel's team went on to lose their game 5-0, despite Rachel's outstanding varsity play (her first start!). She did her best defensively to help her team win, including knocking one CMS player out of the game. Despite her sweet, bubbly exterior, Rachel is really a brute.










Anna spent her sister's birthday party in the playground house at the soccer park. She had a wonderful time.








Sara, also wearing the day's soccer uniform, enjoyed some downtime on the slide at Aletta's party. Sara spent half her morning's game being an all-star goalkeeper. She allowed one goal in her teams' loss, but made many great saves.

Eight Days in Tennessee?

The "Seven Days In Tennessee" title will no longer be accurate after May of next year. But 7 days +1 or 8 days in Tennessee doesn't sound like as good a title for our blog.

That should be enough of a hint.

Anna's 4th Birthday!!

Sweet Little Anna! Turned 4 on Saturday, September 6th!! She had a wonderful birthday with her family. She successfully blew out all 4 candles with one breath!

Anna received a doctor kit for her birthday, complete with blood pressure cuff for checking her parents blood pressure!

Labor Day at Fall Creek Falls

On Labor Day we took the girls to nearby Fall Creek Falls in Middle Tennessee. It was about a 1 1/2 hour drive to get there. Of course since its September, there wasn't much water going over the falls.

















The park is very large, and we enjoyed a picnic lunch and a beautiful setting surrounded by trees for the day.


The younger two, Aletta & Anna, were afraid of the bugs that inhabited the bathrooms.

Beauty at the Falls!

It was beautiful at the Falls...you can decide for yourselves whether the beauty was the scenery, or the Day girls...



We stopped prior to the descent to snap a few pictures of the girls.




Sisterly love isn't always so apparent between the two. But at the falls....

Leah & Rachel Rock Climbing at Fall Creek Falls

Leah and Rachel enjoyed a little rock climbing on the way down to the base of the falls.















At one point the trail goes under this rocky overhang. Looking up tends to cause a little disorientation.










Nice to see a little teamwork between the two as they climbed.

Anna Gets a Ride from the Doughboy!

Everyone had to hike down to the bottom of the falls, except Anna. Who got a ride from the "Doughboy," clearly a reference to the t-shirt, and not the size of her father!


It has only a 1/4 mile hike to the bottom, but a very steep grade that was covered with rocks, despite it being a "trail."








Anna enjoyed the climb. Though Monika made her propel herself up and down the short section that had wood stairs.

Too Cool for Pictures at the Falls

Somehow Rachel managed to humor her father in taking a few pictures. But she didn't have to like it.

This is the base of the falls. Mostly rock, not much water.














Sara enjoyed herself. And didn't mind being photographed. At least she managed a dimpled grin.

Piano Practice!

Leah spends some of her free time practicing the piano, and learning the hymns.

Leah has also been teaching Aletta how to play the piano, both as a kind older sister, as well as part of a Young Women's Personal Progress value project. I don't remember which value.

Bugsy with a Boo Boo!

Sometimes life results in a few bumps & bruises.

Especially with a younger sister.

Nothing a little band-aid can't fix!

Anna's Two Favorite Pasttimes!!

Few of us have two hobbies. But it takes true talent, and perhaps even genius to be able to combine two hobbies into one, enabling an individual to experience true joy.

Anna is such a girl, combining her love of sleeping with a good book.