(Taken from our front door - Christmas morning, 2008)
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The first half of 2010 was quite a roller-coaster. The largest event was selling our Federal Way house. The long-time tenants trashed it so badly that it took six months to rehab and we ended up selling it to pay for the repairs and carrying costs. Add to that the declining market at the time, and the total losses ended up being substantial. But with the help of family and friends, and The Lord’s guidance, we got through it and we can now move on.
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While Rodger and Donavon visited Grandma and Grandpa Skaggs in Idaho for mid-winter break, Rachael continued her acting with the role of “The Crazy Chef” in the Avenue Kids production of The Little Mermaid.
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Also in the arts department, Rodger won first-place in the “Reflections” arts contest at the school level and third at the district level with his original music composition (Hear the Song) - (See the Score).
He just submitted a new entry for this year’s contest (Hear the Song) - (See the Score).
He has played in several piano recitals and at the church (See the Video). He also received a special award for finishing two levels of lessons in one year; twice the expected pace.
He just submitted a new entry for this year’s contest (Hear the Song) - (See the Score).
He has played in several piano recitals and at the church (See the Video). He also received a special award for finishing two levels of lessons in one year; twice the expected pace.
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Rachael and her friend again entered the regional solo/ensemble contest. They received “superior” marks and personal praise from the jurist on their improvement since last year.
She also played a great “Gavotte” at the solo concert. (Here's the Video) There may not be jazz-band this year, so Rachael agreed to return her rental alto-sax, because if they do have jazz-band this year, she would like to try tenor-sax, just for something new.
She also played a great “Gavotte” at the solo concert. (Here's the Video) There may not be jazz-band this year, so Rachael agreed to return her rental alto-sax, because if they do have jazz-band this year, she would like to try tenor-sax, just for something new.
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Both kids had a blast this summer in the Avenue Kids production of “OZ.” Rodger again played multiple roles as a Munchkin (with lines!) a flying-monkey and an Ozian. Rachael scared little kids as the Wicked Witch.
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The kids’ sports schedules have made it impossible for their usual church-choir activities, but Rodger has joined his school’s choir. They just performed at the Federal Way Barnes and Noble for a Thanksgiving concert. (Click Here for a Sample)
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Rodger played his second year of Upward basketball in the spring, and has opted for Karate lessons instead of team sports for now. Private and group lessons keep him active with three/week and he just received his first belt-promotion!
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Rachael played eighth-grade basketball, and her varsity fastpitch softball team went undefeated once again this year.
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The Luau was great, the beaches awesome (and not yet crowded) and the kids had fun ditching dad (and his camcorder) in the Dole Plantation maze. About the only thing we didn’t get to do was sleep.
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Both kids got braces this year. You can't see Rachael's because they are doing hers tooth-by-tooth starting in the back. But here is a nice shot of Rodger's new tinsel-teeth.
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Rachael will be going to Washington DC when school ends, with her eighth-grade class. She said dad couldn’t come with her, because he would probably get the tour-guides fired.
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Now it is Thanksgiving, 2010, and it is snowing in Seattle, which is beyond unusual. The snow storm of Christmas 2008 was odd enough. To celebrate our freaky weather, Rodger "made" a new friend today. His name is Al (Gore).
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With that, I close this second edition of the Skaggs Family Online news, which I guess can now be called a BLOG in the accepted vernacular. You may have noticed that there is not much about Donavon and Teresa here. Admit it; you are really only interested in what the kids are doing anyway. That’s ok. They are the center of our lives and we are extremely proud of them.
All the best and God’s love,
The Skaggs Family;
Donavon, Teresa, Rachael and Rodger
