SAMUEL TURNS 18 YEARS OLD!

As usual, we had to wait until after the Christmas rush to celebrate Samuel's birthday.

This cake was designed and made by the Loewen family, although I think the ladies did most of the work! It was such a nice cake, it seemed a shame to cut into it...but....we did.

Thank you Loewen family.

Samuel is enjoying a quick glass of lemonade during the volleyball game.It was amazing to have a nice, still, 50+ degree day in the middle of January, so we took full advantage of the temperate weather.

Look at Amanda spike that ball!
Get it Krista!
Daniel incorporates the martial arts into his volleyball moves.
Samuel does a victory dance.
It appears that this team has hit the ground hard.

The younger gang tired of volleyball, and tried their hand at the trampoline. Have you ever heard of "dog pile" tampoline style?

Samuel with his cake. The Middletons joined us after volleyball for a soup supper, followed by cake and ice cream. We spent time visiting, and in fellowship, but also...
taking turns holding baby Ruthy. Soon after supper, the indoor games began, since it was too dark to play volleyball. They played some Q-bitz,
and rage- which became a rather intense game. It was fun hearing them laugh, and we were amazed that the energy level was comparable to the earlier volleyball games!
Samuel got his Makita skill saw, and, like everyone else in the family this year, Charity made him a check for $342.13. She learned how to write checks in her math class this year, and decided to give us all checks for our birthdays. It has been fun, and a treasured memory.

(I wonder what the bank would say if...???)
Happy Birthday Samuel. Congratulations on your 18th birthday. We are very proud of the young man that you've become, and love you. Keep up the good work.