A quick CO Biggs Family update: (the rocks are for some retaining walls being built around our yard and the ski lift chair is from a Snowmass ski lift that is being replaced that will become a swing in the front yard.  The rest of the pictures were taken for Jonathan's class so he could have familiar faces around his work area at school.)

With the challenges of the economy Connie has found that contractors are suddenly very motivated to do work around our house. Soon after we moved here we called a number of contractors to get bids on excavation work and some construction work around the house and none were willing because our job was "too small" or they would price it so high, it was impossible for us to accept their proposal.  Now when the economy slowed and the big jobs dried up they suddenly want to work for us and are offering to do so at a fraction of the cost.  Its fun to see things transform.  We'll send some pictures as we get further down the road.  The good news for me is there will be a longer driveway to snow plow.

Devynne is growing too fast for me.  She's involved with the Key Club at school, student council, football games, mock trial, drivers education and it seems like more and more and more.  We finally had an intervention of sorts to have her cut back her commitments so she could have a life in between her life.  The hardest thing though is having parents who are just trying to keep up and be understanding.

Parker is in football again this year and is finally back to playing games.  He broke his arm early in the season during a practice and it's healed enough now that he can play so he's pretty happy.  Sad thing was when he first broke his arm I didn't think it was broken and told him to suck it up and get back in there and he did and toughed it out for a week until we finally took him to the doctor and he said, "that arm is broken..."  I felt pretty bad.  He's also doing well in school and scouts.

Porter is also doing well in school and is playing football as a tight end and really is fun to watch.  He's smart about how he plays so he really connects on his blocks and runs patterns with precision.   He was just elected this week as 7th grade class president so he will be busy doing student council stuff too.  He had a great speech, setting goals that focused on the classes future in high school, using a golf analogy with the hole being highschool graduation and now is the time to keep the ball in the fairway.

Shadrach is reading the "Automatic Millionaire" and working toward making his first million.  We had the missionaries over for dinner the other night and he spent some time talking to them about how if they save a few dollars now regularly they will be well positioned in the future financially.  Last week he opened a checking and savings account and is really doing well managing his money and making money selling duct tape wallets and wire scorpions.

Albert was recognized last week by the principal in his school as being a "Terrific Kid" because he's always kind to others and so willing to help the teacher.  He was walking a fine line before because he would come to defense of other kids that were being picked on but in defense he would sometimes cross the line to offense.  His heart was always in the right place and he is great for that school.  He gets great grades and loves playing soccer during recess.

Shannyn showed us around her classroom the other day and we're proud of how well she's doing in her class.  Her birthday is next week and will be 7 years old.  We can hardly keep track of her because she has so many friends that she calls and talks to and plays with all the time. 

Jonathan is in his classes and also comes to the hospital a few times a week for various therapies and really seems to be making progress.  He's really working on sign language and is getting a few signs down that help immensely when we communicate.  Connie is great with him because she can teach him signs and we all learn as he learns.  We have a tentative court date set for the 14th of November to finalize his adoption then plan the following day to go to the temple in Denver.  We're still waiting for confirmation from the state to be sure.

Analynn lost her first tooth and even though I beg her not to grow up and just please stay my little girl she's growing anyway.  She has a phenomenal imagination and is a great sister for Emma.  They have the best time together.  Connie and Jonathan and I took those two girls shopping a few nights ago and they just skipped around the store as happy as could possibly be without a care in the world.  Of course I was constantly worried I was going to lose one of them because they would skip in different directions but it is good to see them so happy.