Christmas at Aunt Bev's

We celebrated Christmas at Aunt Bev's and even Grandma got to come from the foster home thanks to Brent managing to get the wheelchair up the stairs to Bev's house. Brent also manned the beverage station for dinner. He arranged the plastic champagne glasses in a tier and THEN poured the sparkling cider into the glasses. And he seems to have shot up even more in height. He told me he thinks he is 5'10". I had the boys go into the backyard and got this photo of them.

Mom is a Marine!

Brent: Mom, how many patients have you taken care of?

Mom: I don't know...probably thousands.

Brent: But how many of them have you saved?

Mom: Brent, it's a team effort.

Brent: Yeah, but you save lives, Mom. You're like the Marines...you just save them in a different way!

Mom: Oookaaayyy....

Playing Dog-opoly with Brent

What do two sickies do who are holed up at home on a rainy day? Play Dog-mopoly!

Brent: Dear Lord, help me roll a "3."
Mom (sternly): Brent, God does not answer monopoly prayers.
Brent: I ROLLED A THREE!!!!
Mom: Whatever.

More Brent at Lincoln City

Brent at Lincoln City

Brent texting

Another step growing up....Brent TEXTING!!!!
My little nephew is growing up and doing "teen" things!

Brent and Grandma at Tanger Outlet Mall

With Brent's help, we were able to get Grandma down steps, up ramps and basically all over the mall!
It was a great sunny day at the mall.

(Note the phone in Brent's hand.)

September 2010 at Lincoln City

This kid has deep thoughts, mostly about.......ZOMBIES!!

Brent and the Zombies

Mom: Brent, look at that fishing vessel hugging the coast as it heads south....
Brent: Hey, that's a perfect boat for zombies.
Mom: Um...zombies?
Brent: Yup...they can't swim and they have to breathe...so if you're on the boat, they can't get you.
Mom: ookkaaayyyyyy.......

More pictures from a sunny day at Edmonds beach

A Sunny Day at Edmonds Beach

Brent with his ever present cup of hot chocolate on the ferry. Being my pack mule to get to a shady spot under the bulkhead on the beach. Posing with a statue that used to tower over him! And trying to get buried in the sand! Those toes just keep sticking out!

Brent's 13th Birthday at Grandma's

Brent got an airsoft gun from Bryce, four Wii games from Bev/Don/Grandma (we've been fighting fires ever since!!!), and an IPOD nano from mom and dad. He's a pretty happy fellow!

Brent at AWANA award night

Brent didn't finish his book, but got recognition for his participation as a LIT (Leader in Training) and for working on his book. The little kids just loved him...he's really just a BIG little kid!

Brent and his friend, Justin (swim meet buddies)

Brent, the basketball fan

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best." -- Tim Duncan

Mom: Brent is really getting a lot of use from this wonderful birthday present!!!

The boys goofy off

So, Brent is pulling Bryce up onto his knees....then flipping him over his shoulder and spinning him around the living room. It's essential in this maneuver to maintain a death grip on each other and to close your eyes!

Brent at Grandma's

He's taller, stronger, but still a kid at heart!

Brent's artwork

Brent participated in displaying his Asian artwork at Art Night recently. His short, rather wide terracotta warrior caused Alan to sigh and say resignedly, "Honey, we have to face it...Brent has no appreciable art talent!!" But we loved his work anyway!

The kids at Zoo lights

Brent, Bryce, Savanah Cooper and Sarah ... you can tell we're all pretty wet!

The guys at Chinese New Year

Ben Weed, Steve Schaffer, John Weed, Alan Hoffer, Brent Hoffer, Alan Faulkner, Jeff Hickey and down in front....Drew Scaffer and Bryce Hoffer!

The guys!