Noah's Black Belt

 Noah C Porter got his black belt!  The test was pretty intense.  Check out some photos and a short video

 Check out this form, or go to: https://youtu.be/GVfeVNRnrXY

After passing the test, the students have to break several boards.  Some with their hand or elbow, some by kicking.  This was Noah's kick.  That's him in the red, leg outstretched!

Noah with Master Marvil and the other 3 kids in his studio who also took the black belt test that day.

Noah with Master Louis Marvil, his teacher. 

Noah and the other Marvels!

Prior to getting his belt, his Karate studio had an exhibition.  Each person was asked to say a few words.  This was too big for the blog, but check out youtube at: https://youtu.be/nWVrM5m3Gk4.  This made us all so proud.

Then check out his form at :

 https://youtu.be/gdzALn7X63U

And then this video.

And here it is.

Noah and his black belt class (Caius, Matts, Denzel are the other students, and Master Marvil, Mrs Marvil and Master Serge)

 There were a lot of people on hand to watch.  Like this little purple belt!

 And hey...cousins from Kentucky??  Evan and Josh were there!  That made it super special.

 Check out the belt!

 And Erin and Kyle were there??  What the heck?  How very cool!

Congratulations Noah.  This was a lot of really hard work and dedication.  You did an amazing job.  This is the start of the next level, but what an amazing accomplishment!  We're all really proud of you.

First day of school 2016

Noah and Sophie

Love the shirt

It was the first day of 5th grade.  Noah is 10 and wants to be a Video game designer

Sophie is 5 and starting Kindergarten at Friend's Central!  She wants to be gymnastics teacher.   And she is SO excited!

The school van picks them up on the first day of school

Sophie and her teacher, Ms Kallam

But there's lots of after school fun.  Sophie is having a ball at soccer this year.

End of summer

Sitting here watching the snow and just writing about end of summer is kind of strange.  Just goes to show how busy we've all been.  But end of summer brought a lot of fun.  Our canteloupes we ready to harvest!

Look at this garden and the size of that!  They were delicious.  It turned out that a lot of them got eaten by bugs though.  Next year, we'll need to rethink what kind of melons we plant.

Noah is growing so big and so strong.  Though Sophie is a little peanut,  it's not that easy picking her up and carrying her  around. 

The last week of summer the kids were home and doing some fun things.  Like making muffins.

And one day, Sophie came to work with David.  She's on her way to the gift shop with Heather.

And while everyone had work to do, she got Amy to paint her nails!  She sure knows how to work it!

Showing off her nails.

One last fun trip to Rita's before summer ends with the girls.

and bouncing around.

Ah yes.  And one last trip to Dairy Queen before summer ends (have to be an "equal opportunity" ice cream eater!)

Bye bye summer.  Hello Kindergarten and 5th grade!

Side trip to Cape May at the end of summer

We took a day trip to Cape May during our week down the shore.  Look at the strange people they have in the stores there!

We found a cool "Five and Dime" store, complete with an old fashioned pinball machine.  The kids thought it was great!

Grampy and Kay came over on the Ferry from Delaware and met us there.

Brother and Sister strolling.

Yes, we all have ice cream!

We climbed the light house (a little scary for David).  This one was fearless.  Check out the views!

Then we went to Sunset beach looking for Cape May diamonds.  Really cool, and we found a bunch.

Diamond hunter

Back in Ocean City, the Miller's came to visit for the day.

Check out the Skee Ball form!

That is Noah in front, Sophie Scarlett, Hudson and David

One last ice cream on the board walk, then time to get in the car and go home.  Another great summer vacation in Ocean City.  Both kids have grown so much since our first summers here.  There were both just wonderful all week.  We all had such a great time, it was hard to see summer coming to an end.  But so much more to do this fall.  Kindergarten for Sophie, Noah going to 5th grade.  Just can't wait to see what will be!