1st Day of School 2011-12

Just like always, the 1st day of school ritual is to take the kids' picture in front of the frig.  It is always amazing to see the changes from one year to another. 

AJ 2010

It is hard to believe we have lived here this long, but AJ starts 7th grade today.  We moved here for her to start Kinder and now here she is in junior high.  The junior high is "camping out" at the old elementary school because they are going to remodel the junior high.

AJ 2011

AD gets to start at a brand new elementary school this year.  She is really excited and it is hard to believe she is in 3rd grade already.

AD 2010

AD 2011

AT starts next week so we will get his pictures then.  My how they've grown!

Enjoy your day!!

Unplugged at FH

After we got back from visiting Mom & Dad, we headed out for the west coast for some crabbing & beachcombing.  While we were riding the ferry, we ran across this boat.  AT was so excited because he immediately started yelling "Pirate Ship!!"  (Most everyone knows he loves anything pirate!)

We laughed and reassured him it wasn't a real pirate ship.  Little did we know there was actually a pirate convention (I guess) at FH that weekend.  He could have got a chance to see "real pirates" walking around the town.  When I was bummed that he could have seen them, he gave me a hug and said "It's okay Mommy, I still love you."  Sweet but it didn't make me feel any less guilty for missing that opportunity.

The weather was beautiful at FH.  Not one day of rain and tons of sunshine! 

The kids took advantage of the weather by kayaking & swimming in the pool.  We saw three deer & a fox in our own backyard.  There was a seal swimming around our little inlet all week and we caught lots of crab. 

Again, I was so amazed at how beautiful the weather was.  We had clear skies during the day & at night which gave us beautiful views of the nearby mountains and evening shots.

Boys being boys!

AJ, Gma K, AD, & AT

We had a such a relaxing week.  No tv, no internet, no cell phones (unless you stand by the flagpole like the Statue of Liberty).  It was definitely an unplugged week.  Gma K looked good and we got to see the cousins before some of them head off for college.  We went book shopping at a great used book store by the ferry landing and even hit some yard sales (loved it!!).  We certainly did not go home lighter for some reason . .. .hmmm ;-)

Enjoy your day!!

Wrapping up July

To finish out July, we headed south to visit Mom & Dad and attend my 20 year class reunion.  It is hard to believe it's been 20 years already.  It was a lot of fun to see everyone.  Some I hadn't seen since right after graduation. 

AD, AJ, & AT

The next day we headed across to the east of the state to visit a zoo we hadn't seen before, enjoy some Godfather's taco pizza (which is really hard to find out west anymore), and have some fun.  The zoo was a great little zoo.  AT was so excited to see the crocodile, but then we got there he stood about 2 feet back from the glass partition.  He appeared to not be sure about it.  Gpa walked up behind him and scared him and he jumped probably 2 feet in the air!

AT feeding the goats

 Right next to the zoo was a little amusement park with mini golf.  It was so funny watching us all hit the ball everywhere except the hole!  Gpa & T of course were pros at it, but since we weren't keeping score, the rest of us did what it took to get the ball in the hole ;-)

Afterwards, Mom & Dad took us to see this amazing sculpture in a business district.  It is so huge and the picture really does not do it justice.  It is beautiful.

My aunt & uncle from MN came out to visit on Mon, so we stayed to see them and celebrate Mom's bday.  Tues we headed home.  It is so nice to visit, but there is nothing like getting home.

In other news, my cousin's daughter, Sophie, is having eye surgery in a couple of weeks.  She is only 4 and has awful headaches and cannot see very well.  They are having a benefit and silent auction for her this coming Friday.  Because I could not attend, I decided to send this for the silent auction:

I decided early this summer that I needed some more hand sewing projects so I wasn't always trapped in my sewing room downstairs.  So I chose to try my hand at embroidery.  I found this cute pattern for flip flops and couldn't resist trying them.  I wasn't sure where I was going to use them until I dug up this fabric from my stash.  Usually I don't make things this bright, but it just all seemed to go together.

I hope it does well.  If you are my MN friends & family and are reading this, check out Sophie's benefit on Aug 12th.  (See my facebook page for the info.)

Enjoy your day!!