Another Year Older

Enjoying the show at Rancho Chico

Sigh..... Dylan turned 9 yesterday. I can't believe he's so old! Nine years from now he will be a senior in high school - Lordy!

For the second year in a row, Dylan has made my life easier by wanting to hold his birthday party at the bowling alley. It's the best! All the kids meet us there, bowl for an hour, have a soda, open presents and eat cake - and they never need to set foot in my house! His party was last Saturday so last night he chose Rancho Chico for his birthday dinner. Rancho Chico is the best little Mexican restaurant. Authentic but just American enough to satisfy the less adventurous. And, of course, several of the waiters come out and sing in Spanish to the birthday boy. I'm pretty sure that's why Dylan wanted to go there!

Lyndsi has kept us busy this week as well. We went to her Montessori Christmas play tonight and last night we went to her dance recital. All very fun!

This Saturday is our 4th annual Beer and Cookie exchange. I'm looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the company. I even baked some gluten free cookies for the event! If you live in the area, come on by. We start at 7.

Baby, it's cold outside! Wow! We haven't gotten the snow that Spokane has received but boy did we get the frigid air! Last weekend, we found ourselves in about 8 inches of fresh white stuff and bundling ourselves against the 5 degree weather. The snow hasn't melted because we haven't been above 10 degrees since Sunday. It sure is pretty!

Ladies' Night at Ace Hardware

Yep, it was ladies' night at Ace Hardware in Omak - and I went. I'm sure you're asking, "What is ladies' night at Ace Hareware?" Honestly, I don't know! It sounded like an interesting idea (kind of like a Beer and Cookie Exchange for the holidays) and a friend from school was going so I went, too. I wasn't sure what I was looking for but they sure know how to treat the ladies at Ace Hardware on ladies' night! Yummy snacks and lots of prizes - that's the way to my heart! I didn't eat anything but it sure was fun to watch the chocolate come out of that fountain.

After that we went to the local winery for their Ladies' Night. Now that I understand! Free wine tasting and good cheeses - fabulous! I sampled several great wines and snacked on peppered olives as I stood in line waiting to buy several great wines. At 15% off, who could resist!

I am so happy to have a successful and classy winery close to home (about 10 minutes away to be exact!). It will be a fun excursion when we have visitors.

I really should be going to bed or writing a Christmas letter, but the idea of a Ladies' Night at a hardware store was not an idea I wanted to keep to myself. Just thought I'd share a bit of what I do for fun around here with the rest of my blog followers!

BTW - that cute little gerbil who was following me around the other night? Well, I think he might have been saying good-bye. He passed away sometime before Thanksgiving morning, which is when I found him. Lyndsi wasn't too upset....she just picked him up by the tail and carried him off to show Dylan. Hm.

Happy Post Thanksgiving Full Tummies!

Here's the picture of Lyndsi's lost tooth. The two in the front are twisted around but not coming out!

Oh my.... I think I ate more over the last few days than I have in months! Oh, it was so good, though! My dad was having treatments on Thanksgiving so Robyn and Kim got dinner started for us all. Erin and I pitched in with food we prepared in our home and Linda brought some yummy salads and a relish tray. By dinner we were all together and it was unanimous. This was the best tasting Thanksgiving we've had in a long time! The company was good and there was just enough of a mix to make everything taste fabulous. I love being home with my parents and my sisters and this year seemed especially enjoyable.

All us girls hit the stores Friday morning as we sought the best deals. I think Erin probably did the best with her pre-7 am shopping. I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed that early :) Lyndsi even joined us and, I'm proud to say, I think she's a born shopper! Never a complaint out of that girl. I'm sure the free donuts at Fred Meyer and the popcorn at Target helped a bit!

We came home yesterday, instead of our planned Sunday return. We've been so busy this fall that Steve really wanted to get home to get something done before Monday rolled around again. Besides, we'd had some car trouble and didn't want to risk something happening on a Sunday. All was good, though.

Sun Mountain was, of course, beautiful! Exactly the kind of weather I was wishing for. No snow yet just gorgeous fall briskness and colors. We took a nice long walk, soaked in the hot tub and had a great dinner. Julia and I even had pedicures this time! The Sullivans were there with baby Paige so we enjoyed their company for a bit. My only regret is that I didn't do my job and let everyone know we were going in the off chance that other families could have joined us also. Maybe I'll do better next time!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Sun Mountain -

Aidan and Dylan leading the way - Patterson Lake in the background

Dylan and Aidan playing on Beaver Pond - no it wasn't frozen solid. We were lucky no one fell in!

All the kiddos on the deck of the lodge.

Is There a Full Moon?

Let me tell you about my evening. I know it's late but I feel the need to share what can happen in a matter of about 30 minutes.

Soo...Steve is off playing poker with a few guys from work. They do this once in a while, which usually means the host's family is banished for the evening. This time Jeff invited a couple of guys over so Amy, Max and Zoe decided to take in a movie. Being the good friends we are, the kids and I tagged along! We scarfed our popcorn as we enjoyed Madagascar 2. Not my top choice but appropriate and fun for the kids in the group.

Amy picked up Kendal to come along so we stopped by her house on the way home to meet her new puppy. The kids played with Hopper while the adults checked out the house, which is also new to Shawn and Kendal.

At about 9:00ish, we left. So did Kendal, who was going back to Amy's where Shawn was also playing poker. Now, mind you, Shawn and Kendal are the only human inhabitants of their home so when Amy left with Kendal, no one else was home. They pulled out of the driveway before we did. And yep, you probably guessed by now that I couldn't find my keys. My keys were not in my purse, nor in my pocket, nor in the ignition, nor on the ground, nor anywhere I looked. So, the kids and I were stranded in a driveway on a dark abandoned street on the edge of the city of Omak - lots of fields, not many houses. Mind you, I am not a brave soul and my kids have inherited their love of the scary darkness from me. As my cell phone was back home on the kitchen counter, I thought of no other solution except to walk 2 blocks to the hospital to use their phone. So that's what we did. I had a kid on each hand, both in tears, one in shorts and one with wet pants. I pretended it was no big deal but I kept glancing off into the dark fields watching for those monsters I knew were out there.

Fortunately, Amy and Kendal were back at Amy's so they came back and I found my keys inside Kendal's house, right where I'd left them!

By now, both kids are exhausted from their fears and ready for bed but not liking coming home to a dark house. I was still trying to play the brave mom, thinking of all the fun things I could. We pull into the driveway and the first thing we notice is the glow from the flames on the burn pile that was supposed to be out. Dylan has a fear of the house catching on fire so he started immediately wanting to call the fire department as Lyndsi starts in on her fatigued hysteria. Dylan was on the phone to Steve before I even made it into the house! When Dylan started out to wake the neighbors I eased his fears by saying I'd go take care of the fire. I have to admit, I hoped the flames were within the confines of the burn area but they had me a bit worried. I'm not fond of burning in the middle of dead brush, no matter how wet it's been.

For the second time that night, I found myself trudging through the dark. The burn pile is at the edge of our yard in the empty lot next door. Just beyond our backyard is a whole lot of emptiness that we lovingly call, "the desert". At night, it's a bit scary! I could hear the kids crying from inside the house. I dumped a bucket of water on the pile of burning leaves and walked back to the house.

In the meantime, Dylan had called Steve again. Being the good father he is, he said he'd come home to check it out. I don't know why my kids don't trust me in the eyes of danger!

Steve assured the kids that all was well as I tried to brush Lyndsi's teeth. Keep in mind that it's late and I just want the kids in bed so I can relax! Those of you who have seen Lyndsi in the past 6 weeks know that she has had several very loose teeth. I swear, she's going to keep them until they disintegrate! Well lo and behold, I must have brushed a little hard because I brushed one of those teeth right out of her mouth! Yee haw! She lost her first tooth!

So now we had to have the whole, "How does the tooth fairy get in?" discussion and I had to ease some fears once again! Steve had already returned to his poker game so I was on my own. Fortunately, these fears were short lived and both kids fell asleep quickly.

Just as I thought I might head downstairs and turn on the computer to check email I noticed a small, white animal peeking out from behind the ottoman. I was debating about whether to pick it up and put it in one of the kids' bedrooms when, suddenly, it ran across the floor to me! It took a second to register that the stuffed animal I was looking at was really French Fry, our white gerbil! This wasn't necessarily a scary ordeal to me but I sort of felt like falling to the floor in a fit of tears! French Fry doesn't go back to his cage easily and it usually takes to of us to trap him in a corner. By now I was completely exhausted myself!

I walked toward the gerbil and tried a couple of tricks, none of which worked. However, in this little adventure, I noticed that French Fry seemed to be following me. When I walked to his cage, he did too. When I walked back to the living room, he did too. When I stayed in a room, he did too. I even tested my theory by walking around the table and into the kitchen and then out the other door to the living room. I looked behind me and guess who was there? It was pretty fun! French Fry would run right up to me but wouldn't let me pick him up. So I walked back to the cage, sat down by it and waited. French Fry came with me, poked around his cage a bit, then walked into the door I had opened for him. Easy! Too bad I didn't learn that trick 2 years ago!

As I said early on, this may sound ho hum to some of you readers but it was far from ho hum for me. Several odd things happened tonight. I'm sure the moon must be full.

I'd share pictures of Lyndsi's cute smile but I'm too tired. Those pictures will just have to wait!

An Almost Sleepover!

Because I strive to be thoroughly exhausted all the time, I decided I could handle having a birthday party for six year old Lyndsi on a Friday night. Yep. I'm crazy.
Don't tell Lyndsi, though, because I think she had a really good time!

At 5:00 this evening, 9 girls and Dylan invaded our home. The girls all wore their pajamas as this was a "pretend" sleepover. All the fun of a sleepover but you get to sleep in your own bed. Perfect for kindergarteners! We danced, created picture frames, had photo shoots, ate dinner, watched a movie, had popcorn and M&Ms, opened gifts and had cake and bubble gum ice cream. All in just under 2 hours! I had planned for the party to take about 2 and a half hours but these girls cruised through everything! They were so excited about what was to come that they couldn't stay focused on any one thing for more than 10 minutes! For about an hour tonight it sounded like my classroom on party day, only with more high pitched screaming!

Lyndsi and her guests had a great time and they all looked so cute in their jammies! My favorite scene from the evening was watching them when they first sat down to watch their "Little Pony" movie. I set the popcorn out and 10 little hands reached into the bowl. You can see the mess in the picture.

Isn't she cute! I can't believe she's almost 6!

Check out the popcorn!

The pajams set the fun mood for this party!

Halloween seems like ages ago! Both kids raked in about 2 1/2 pounds of candy during trick or treating. Fortunately they still have most of it! If we allowed the candy to stay in the bedrooms, it would be gone by now! The party at the Cheesemans after trick or treating was relaxing and entertaining. The adults sat around the fire pit in the backyard while the kids took over the house.

Souther Belle Lyndsi and Pirate Dylan

Dylan and Lyndsi were able to spend the weekend after Halloween in Spokane with my parents. They went to a children's concert and Dylan went to a Gonzaga basketball game with Papa. We had 2 exhausted but happy kiddos on Sunday evening!

Soccer is over for Steve as of Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately his high school girls lost their State playoff game so will not advance. I'm loving having him home and available! Life may calm down a bit for the next few weeks.

Next weekend we are heading for Sun Mountain Lodge, our favorite weekend destination. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the family and our friends, the O'Connors. I might even get a pedicure with my birthday money!

Pumpkin Carving is Done!

Whew! Check one off our list. This list seems to grow instead of shrink! I'm not sure how life got ahead of me but this summer I was doing pretty well keeping up with all my duties and now they seem to be flying ahead of me in my own personal marathon! Aaack! Actually, it's only been 2 weeks of me feeling this way but I don't see any end in sight. I need 48 hours straight, without interruption, at home and then another 2 full days at school. Ugh!

Grandma Linda had a birthday on Friday so we went to Spokane for the night on Saturday. We had a yummy dinner at Prospectors Bar and Grill and then went to Nana and Papa's for dessert. It was a true party - Grandma and Rod, Grandma Margaret, Kim, Kellee, Nana and Papa and eventually Erin, joined us for part of the evening. Fun!

I promised the kids that if they kept the house picked up while I worked at school for a while this afternoon that we would carve our pumpkins tonight. A promise is a promise!

Once again, this year we carved our pumpkins and discovered a handful of change inside each one. This year was even more surprising as we grew these pumpkins in our own garden! We're saving seeds to plant again next year!

Where is the Time Going!

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since my last post. My days are a blur and sometimes I wonder what I really did between waking and going to bed. Too much on my plate right now!

Last weekend was fun!

We played around with the timer for this shot.

My parents came over for Harvest Fest and to do the Autumn Leaf Run with us. Our hospital puts on a walk/run every year. The kids and I have done it for the last couple of years and have always enjoyed the fall weather and high spirits of the participants. This year Steve and my parents joined us as we walked the 5K. What troopers my children are! Lyndsi took off with Reily right in the beginning of the race and Dylan was off with a couple of his buddies. I didn't see either one of them until the end! We had a designated meeting area in case we were separated. We spent the rest of the afternoon cruising through Farmer's Market on Main street. That evening we went to the O'Connors for a fall bar-b-que.

Do you recognize this face?

If you are a Gonzaga basketball fan you might. David Pendergraft came to play a little ball with the locals in support of the Fall Leaf Run. My mom couldn't resist asking for this shot!

Lyndsi's going to be a Girl Scout!

Actually, the correct name is Girl Scout Daisy. And I am going to be her leader! Yep, this is one of those things on my plate right now! Lynell and I are going to co-lead a troop of kindergarten and first grade girls this year. We had an informational meeting on Wednesday night and it looks like about 12 or 14 girls want to join up. Sounds a bit intimidating to me - but that also means we may have 12 or 14 moms who want to help :) Little did they know they were commiting themselves when they signed up their daughters! Our first troop meeting will be November 6th so I have a little time to prepare (and to breath again!).

Beauty and the Beast

are in Omak! What a talented group of people live around me! Last night I took the kids to see the play, Beauty and the Beast, being performed at the Performing Arts Center. I'd heard rumors of the incredible costumery and set but was still amazed when the curtain was pulled back. Whenever I attend a show put on by our local talent I can't help but be proud to know the participants. IT was spectacular! If you live around here, you need to go see the show. "Chip" is one of my students this year and her mom is "Belle". I would like to brag when I tell you that at least 6 of the assorted napkins, spoons and villagers were also students of mine at one time! We hung around after the show to get some pictures with the cast.

The Beast and Belle with the kids.

Dylan, Chip, a cute napkin and Lyndsi

Dylan and Gaston - who do you think is the strongest?

The baby is here...My good and very pregnant friend delivered her first baby last night. Actually, at 3:30 am on Saturday! I think we're off to see her tomorrow. I have this thing for visiting babies in the hospital!

Ooops!

I know, I know. A week ago I promised pictures. I thought for sure I'd get them up before today but no such luck! Well, here they are.....

Cheer camp and the young cheerleaders

Discovery Beach in Seattle

Auntie Erin getting paybacks in Seattle

This week was pretty much like the last few. School, work, soccer, bed, repeat.... We may have had a few unique moments here and there but pretty much life in general.

Steve and Dylan did go on a Cub Scout hike today. I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't go but I needed to spend some time at school or I would have gone insane tomorrow trying to catch up! Anyway, they hiked to a memorial in a canyon of a young boy who was killed by a cougar some years ago. The boys found a couple of geocaches and then the whole group roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. It was a beautiful day for being outside and I spent it indoors!

September in Seattle

I love it! The kids and I spent the weekend in Seattle with Robyn, Kim, Erin, Melissa and my parents. My dad has an appointment tomorrow in Seattle to figure out a plan of attack to rid his body of those darn cancer cells that keep appearing so he and my mom were heading west anyway. When I found out that Erin was also going to be in town I figured I shouldn't be left out of the party so I invited myself along!

The weather was gorgeous, as it can be in the fall, and our days were filled, as they are when we travel. We spent yesterday Pike Street Market and at the new sculpture garden downtown. Then we took our lunch, purchased from the market, to Discovery Park where we hiked (and I mean hiked!) down to the beach to eat. It was quite a walk to the beach - I think I figured out it was a little over a mile and all downhill - but we were able to refresh before hiking back up. Dylan played in the seaweed and collected shells while Lyndsi cowered from the bees.

Robyn and Erin had a party to go to so I spent the evening with my parents and the kids. We shopped at Whole Foods downtown, which I had been wanting to do for a while, and then had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory, one of our old haunts from our younger years. Back at the hotel the kids swam while I watched and then we all hit the hay. Everyone was asleep within several minutes of their heads hitting their pillows!

This morning we got to spend some time at IKEA - I know, the market AND IKEA all in one trip!! That doesn't happen for me very often! After lunch , the kids and I started our trek home while everyone else went back to Robyn's to spend the rest of the day.

The drive was long but the trip was fun and very worth the effort. Once school starts for the year, we don't do the quick weekend trips as often as we'd like so I'm glad I jumped on this opportunity.

Lyndsi went to cheer camp for a couple of days after school last week. She looked darn cute in her little Cougar cheer outfit while she rallied with the other cheerleader wannabes! She missed the performance Friday night due to our trip but she enjoyed the experience anyway.

Speaking of Lyndsi, my little girl is about to be toothless! Her front bottom teeth are so ready to fall out that one of them is turned almost backwards! The little smarty pants won't let us near her mouth to help the little buggers out!

Dylan is in full soccer swing. The season is actually about half over all ready. He missed two games this weekend and had one last weekend. I think we have 2 games this week but don't quote me on that! He still has his long soccer locks and pretty much looks the part!

I don't have my pictures uploaded yet but I'll get a few on to share, hopefully tonight.

Fatigue and Fall

They've both set in! Thank heavens for 3 day weekends, or in my case and in my opinion even better, 3 day work weeks! School has been in session for 2 weeks now and my summer slumbers are a distant memory. I'm exhausted! We only had 3 days of school this week because when you live in a rural community, the County Fair is a big deal so you get to take a day off from school. I always did enjoy the fair and now I've found another reason to promote it!

Let's go back to the middle of the week (after Labor Day but before Fair Day) when Lyndsi started back at Montessori. You might remember that Lyndsi started kindergarten this year, but because it is only half day kindergarten, she needed somewhere to go for the other half of the day. We opted to put her back in Montessori where she is familiar with the teachers and the program, rather than daycare. Her Montessori school has a kindergarten program as well as preschool so she will be getting a double dose of A,B,C's every day. Anyway, all I really wanted to say was that Lyndsi is back at school full time and all is well!

Again, not the outfit I wanted her to wear, but isn't she adorable!

Yesterday, the kids and I set out with about 30 other staff members and their families for an adventure on Omak Lake. Steve had a soccer jamboree so was unable to come - the team did very well, by the way. Our district was awarded a grant from a parks and rec. program to purchase 2 15-passenger canoes complete with paddles, life jackets and a trailer. Everyone was invited to take the canoes out on their maiden voyage so we accepted. How fun! It was a beautiful day and the atmosphere was light. We canoed for a little over an hour to a remote beach, where we stopped for lunch and play. The kids climbed on a rock outcropping that was reached via a submerged sandbar. A few adults even braved the cold waters. I did a little wading but that was the extent of my bravery! On the way back to the cars, one canoe load paddled along the opposite shore and were lucky enough to see a bear. We all pulled our weight with paddling and I think we even learned a bit. I'm feeling a bit sore this morning but nothing major.

Setting off from the boat launch at "Beer Can Beach" - yep, that's the name of the beach!

Max and Dylan in the front of the canoe.

Playing in the water

Lyndsi kept the rhythm with her paddle.

Man overboard!

Dylan went for a dunk in the lake.

Today is a "work outside and get something done" day. Steve has been painting the entry way, which is done, and staining the deck, which is not, so now I need to accomplish something. Laundry and yard work are on the agenda.

Oh, but before I go, guess what I found the other night? I opened the front door to let Ruth out for her nightly potty ritual and there, ready to greet me, was a little scorpion! I couldn't believe it! I looked at it for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out WHAT I was looking at, and then it curled it's little tail at me - I yelled for Steve and we tried to catch the little guy but he escaped. Hopefully I won't find him in the house some day! I'd heard we had scorpions in the area, transplanted from the south on the vehicles that come with the harvest season, but I'd never actually seen one. Pretty cool!

Have a great week!

School's Back In Session!

Check out this cute third grader! I've given up trying to cut his hair! He has a reputation with all the teacher's because of that mop!

And this year both kids are at school with me! Dylan is in third grade with Mrs. Baker again. He had her as a first grade teacher and was so excited to learn she'd be his third grade teacher also. After three days of school he still thinks recess and dodgeball are the best parts of the day! Although he has talked a lot about music and the long song the new music teacher played. I think he also kind of liked the writing project he completed about his summer vacation.

I was able to take Dylan to his classroom before school. He was seated next to best friend Max so he felt a little more relaxed, though you can't tell it from his eyes!

Yesterday Dylan showed up at my classroom door about an hour before school got out. He was crying and holding his nose. Poor guy had hit his nose on someone else's head! Yes, the blood came and then so did the tears. That ruined his whole day! His nose did swell a bit and Dylan was convinced he had broken it but all is well today!

I think I struggled with Dylan being in third grade more than I struggled with Lyndsi being in kindergarten! Every once in a while I would look around at the eager faces of my new second graders and a pang would hit my heart as I realized that Dylan was no longer among those fresh faces. As you may recall, he was in my class last year. I am happy that Dylan is so excited about school and I'm glad he's becoming more independent but I sure miss spending my days with him.

Yes, Lyndsi is a kindergartener! Can you believe it! I'm sure she felt some nervousness but she never expressed it. It helps that Reily is in her class and that she has been able to spend the mornings with her. They've gotten on the little kindergarten bus together and taken the "long bus ride" to school together. I was able to wait at school and watch the kids get off the bus. They were all so cute! Lyndsi says she saw me through the bus window but didn't even glance my way as she walked from the bus into the building. All those little kiddos look like little duckings following their mama (aka the bus driver)!

What a cutie! She and Reily planned out their outfits the day before. Not the dress I wanted but cute anyway!


Here's the little kindergarten bus - you probably can't see her but Lyndsi is in the window with her hand up. I think the bus driver was saying something to the kids.

I snuck into the class to snap a few pictures. I was trying to stay hidden but was seen, so I spent a couple of minutes with the girls and then went back to my own classroom. Don't worry, my students were at recess so they weren't unattended!

In the kindergarten classroom

My first few days of school were pretty typical. I was exhausted by the end of the first day, the second day was a little more exhausting and by the end of yesterday I was dragging out the door to go home. Somehow I always adjust and am able to make it through the next 9 months - rather successfully I might add!

I think Steve felt the same way about school but he is adding soccer practice to the end of his days. The kids and I went to watch the practice on Tuesday and boy, was I glad I'm not a soccer coach! Steve should be in perfect shape by November! He was working out right along with the girls. I hope his old bones can handle it!

I finished my assignments for my Master's class. They weren't hard but I was trying to do them after the kids went to bed so my brain wasn't functioning! Have you ever tried to write a critical analysis of Washington's RCWs on bilingual education after a full day of corralling 7 year old children? I don't recommend it!

I Can Handle It!

Or maybe I'm just fooling myself! I feel stronger and have caught up on my sleep so guess what I did? I enrolled at Heritage University! I am an official graduate student! In a little less than 2 years I will have my Masters Degree in ESL/ELL! Yep, I've officially gone crazy!



Actually, my last couple of days have been a bit bizarre. If someone had told me a week ago that I would be sitting in a History and Theories of Bilingual Education course I would have told them they had the wrong person! Monday morning I went to an informational meeting for a program being offered in Bridgeport. At this meeting, the facilitator happened to mention something about the first class starting that afternoon. Hmmmm....surely not for the program I was looking at, right? I have until September 18th to decide, right? Wrong! I have now started and finished my first Masters class! Woo hoo!



Believe me, I wasn't cheering last night at about midnight as I was sitting at this very computer, doing homework I hadn't scheduled into my week before school starts schedule! But, I signed on the dotted line and so now I'm committed! I may be committed in a different way soon. I'll let you know!



Despite my fatigue (already) and the fact that I never considered a degree in English as a Second Language, I have enjoyed this week's class. The instructor condensed it into 3 days because everyone in the program works for a school district and she wanted this class out of the way. We have sat and listened to lectures for many hours but I'm finding the information very interesting. Let's hope the rest of the classes keep my interest!



I'm kind of lying when I say that I have finished the class because I still have homework due on September 1st, but the class part is done. Yay!



The kids have had a ball with their friends since they returned home on Sunday. We've had lots of little rugrats running around here and both Dylan and Lyndsi have been to other people's houses, also. And, can you believe it? They've kept their rooms clean! They even seem to enjoy keeping them clean! No, I know, it won't last but I'm liking it right now!



We took them shopping last night to finish buying their school supplies. I love shopping for school supplies! It's fun to let the kids look for and then choose what is on each of their lists. Choices are limited as we stick to the 2 aisles at Wal-Mart so the kids feel like they get to buy whatever they want, even though I know they have some constraints :)

Check out those bedrooms!

They're clean! 14 hours, 1 garbage can and a whole lot of yard sale/giveaway bags later - I'm done! Wow were those rooms messy. Like pigsty messy! They even smelled bad. Now they smell like Pledge orange oil...aah......

Oh, don't worry, the kids are coming home tomorrow so by this time tomorrow night the rooms will be back to their lived in state!

Cleaning out the kids' rooms was one of my goals to get done this week, while they were away spending quality time with their grandparents in Spokane. I did it! I really wanted to yard sale away the evidence but I didn't quite get that motivated!

My lovely children come home tomorrow. I have really enjoyed this week of relaxed busyness but I am looking forward to having them home. I miss them! I think they're looking forward to being home. They've been gone from home for over two weeks. That's a long time for 2 little homebodies!

Yep - I miss the little buggers!

Who's In Charge Here?

And where have you been?! I know, I know...I've been gone a long time! But so much has gone on! AND I didn't have access to a computer that would allow me to make a new post. S0....

Am I off the hook yet? I hope so because I have had the greatest week and I want to share it with everyone!

Last weekend, which would have been the first weekend in August, was my (sit down for this announcement!) 20th high school reunion! I am old! We left home Friday morning, dropped the kids off at Nana and Papa's in Spokane, picked up Yvette, Jen and Denise and drove to Coeur d' alene for an afternoon cruise. I was a bit alarmed that I didn't recognize people on the dock! However, I was quickly relieved when I realized that no one recognized anyone! We have all changed quite a bit! After the cruise, the reunion group headed to the Spokane valley for an ice breaker at a small (and slightly scary!) bar. I had so much fun reconnecting with people I hadn't seen in 20 years! My old Indian Trail Elementary crew seemed to be in the majority and we rehashed old times many times over.

On Saturday, I got up with the kids and went with them and my mom and dad to Riverfront Park. The park was celebrating its 30th (I think) birthday so all the prices were reduced and a great deal!

Lyndsi, Jill, Dylan and Papa getting on the gondola ride at Riverfront park. The falls weren't as full as they can be but they were still pretty.

Saturday night took the NC Indians to Spokane Center Stage for dinner and dancing. Again, the reunion organizer outdid herself and made us all feel like we were the most popular person in our class. With party favors, prizes, good food, memorabilia and free drinks the evening was a success!

Steve and Yvette at Ella's Supper Club, Center Stage

Our final event was a bar-b-que in Audubon Park. David's Pizza catered the event and the kids had fun playing with water toys and in a whiffle ball game while the adults visited.

Some of my girlfriends from high school and I at the picnic

The rest of the week brought more fun as we shopped and played. Robyn came to town and she spent a day with us at a city pool. This pool was not your typical pool. Fountains and water slides sprayed water everywhere! It was so cool! Lyndsi wasn't able to go on the slide as she was a little too young, but the rest of us took our turn. It was a perfect way to spend a hot day.

Check out the buckets dumping on our heads!

Steve and Dylan shoot off the slide like rockets!

The Omak Stampede

My aunt and uncle were visiting my parents from Wisconsin and they have never attended a rodeo....until now! On Thursday afternoon we all headed off to spend the night in Okanogan and to attend the World Famous Omak Stampede and Suicide Race. The day was hot and the evening felt hotter! But the rodeo was fun and I'm pretty sure Aunt Coy and Uncle Don got their fill of the rodeo and powwow culture! Robyn and I stayed for a trip into the beer garden and some fabulous people watching! We even learned a new game called "Butt Darts". I won't go into the details but the name should give you a clue as to the nature of the game. No, neither one of us played! Though the winner took home $22.00!

Friday brought another reunion. This time it was Steve's turn. He's old, too! Shadle held their ice breaker at Snoops saloon in Spokane so I drove back from Okanogan in time to head off with Steve. Another fun evening! I spent most of the evening with Jenny, who married one of Steve's classmates, and Yvette, who wanted to see who she might have known. Jenny and I didn't know each other in high school but our sisters spent a lot of time together. Our husbands know each other so we have now created a friendship that I am very thankful for! I only wish I'd been a little friendlier in high school so I could have begun this friendship earlier. Anyway, Steve socialized the night away and every time I saw him he was with another group of girls!

We attended the picnic at Shadle Park on Saturday and then had dinner and dancing at the Country Club on Saturday night. After spending 2 weekends with Mike and Jenny, I felt a little lost when we ended up at a different table! However, I enjoyed talking with a couple of Steve's other classmates and listening to the program for the evening.

With the reunions behind us, it's time to focus on the end of summer and the beginning of school. Steve and I returned to Okanogan on Sunday and the kids stayed behind. They will be spending the first half of the week with Nana and Papa and the second half with Grandma Linda. I grudgingly went to school today. I got quite a bit done so I'm glad I did it, but I'm just not ready to go back! Steve completed the deck - woo hoo! He started it just about a year ago and it's beautiful! I just need to get a stain on it and our work is done - for now!

Ahhh....summer...

Max and Dylan leading the way

What a fun summer day we had! We started the morning with a bike ride in the mountains. We, along with The Cheeseman family, rode a 5.5 mile loop in the snow park on the Loup. Loup Loup Ski Bowl is our local ski hill. The snow park is across Highway 20 from the Ski Bowl and has groomed cross country skill trails in the winter. In the summer, the trails are perfect for hiking and biking. Dylan was thrilled with the whole experience and wants to do it again. Lyndsi had fun, too, but got bored a little sooner than the rest of us. She had the prime seat in the bike trailer!

Princess Lyndsi!

We had lunch at the ice cream shop in Okanogan and then the kids and the big boys (aka - the dads) floated the Okanogan river and played in the water for a couple of hours. Amy and I chose to forego the floating of the river for water aerobics in the local pool. I've been several times but this was Amy's first visit. It feels so good to stay cool while working out!

I finished painting the living room and hallway last night so today was my day away. Now I have to put everything away - tomorrow!

Campout

The kids camped out last night - just in our backyard but it was as exciting as going camping! Dylan and neighbor, Karina started making plans for their big night out at about 11:00 yesterday morning. They wrote lists for what they would need and an itinerary for the occasion, complete with a craft project! Karina and Ana came over at about 8:00 pm and then the fun began. If I remember right, the night started with a trip to the park, home for cookies and milk, decopauge rocks and then books in the tent. Lyndsi came in to sleep in her own bed at about 10:00 and when I checked on the rest of the kids at 11:30 they were sound asleep! Apparently, Ana had read a chapter of her book that put Karina and Dylan to sleep! Keep in mind, though, that Ana is almost a teenager and the other 2 are still young 'uns! I think I heard movement from outside at about 5:30 this morning. After a quick breakfast, the 3 final campers took a hike in the "desert" and then came in for morning cartoons. All without adult help - except to let us know what they were doing. We'll do it again some time.

And back to .... "ROAD TRIP 2008!" We are on to our last planned big event of the trip. Leaving Spearfish, SD we drove towards Cody, WY where we would spend the night before emabarking on our Yellowstone adventure. I'm in love with Wyoming! Our drive took us up and up and up into the Bighorn Mountains. We drove through beautiful prairies filled with wildflowers and rocky ledges of granite. We stopped at a little campground to stretch our legs and discovered nature at its best. Apparently it had been raining for most of the morning so everything was green and lush. Sibley Lake was a rich copper color and the sky was just turning blue. Pictures don't do it justice! This was one of those drives where you are happy to be alive and everything puts you in a state of awe.

Sibley Lake in the Bighorn Mountains

Cody, Wyoming

Cody reminded me of a classy Omak. The Cody Stampede was in full swing so we felt like we were home! The town is very cute and everyone was in a good mood. Our neighbors at our hotel were biking (motorcycles) from Olympia, WY to their home in Sheridan, WY and had spent one of the previous nights in Okanogan. Small world!

The next day was the scheduled day for Cody's 4th of July parade and we barely made it out of town before the city blocked all the streets! Good thing because we needed all the time we could get in Yellowstone National Park. Our first stop was Old Faithful. We got to the geyser about 15 minutes before he blew and stayed long enough to see him blow again! Old Faithful blows his stop about every 92 minutes or something like that. We walked the boardwalk trails and grabbed a quick snack at Old Faithful Lodge. Though enjoyed Old Faithful, my favorite part of this particular stop was Castle Geyser. As we approached the geyser, we could see spurts of steam and droplets of water puffing from its opening. There was also a large crown sitting on the benches just waiting for more. We continued around the geyser and Lyndsi and I stopped to read a little about it. A posted sign said that it was "possible" that the geyser would erupt between 1:30 and 4:30 that day. Only "possible" because this geyser was not a regular erupter. We continued on the boardwalk and what do you know - that geyser gave us a show! Everyone was oohing and awing and waving and cheering. Like I said, this wasn't a predictable geyser. The other amazing fact about the Castle Geyser is that it can blow water (or whatever the mixture is!) for up to 20 minutes! We watched for several minutes, took some pictures and walked a little further and it was still going! I was excited!

Dylan and Old Faithful

This little guy wanted a snack from Dylan's brown bag! He followed us for several feet and came close enough to get his nose in the bag. He gave up when he realized we weren't going to feed him!

Yellostone River - check out the puffs of steam all the way down the river!

Castle Geyser - what luck!

We drove north from Old Faithful to Mammoth Hot Springs. Along the way we had numerous encounters with the larger wildlife of Yellowstone. Lots of elk and bison and even a wolf! All I saw were some ears poking up from the grass but Steve saw the whole head through the binoculars. Huge head! This made Steve's whole trip!

A fly fisherman was trying his luck about 20 feet away from this elk. They were both watching each other very carefully!

And check out this big guy! He didn't seem to mind the traffic jam he was causing!

Mammoth Hot Springs was a bit disappointing. I seem to remember lots of liquid flowing down several terraces but that's not the case anymore. There are still terraces but no water. At least not enough to flow down the side of the hill. It was still worth the drive but not as exciting as I'd hoped.

We stayed that night on the west side of the park in West Yellowstone. Another cute but overly touristy town. But, we did have the most comfortable sheets in our little family owned hotel! AND they had big, fluffy white towels - better than any I've ever used! The next morning was the 4th of July and we were pretty pleased with ourselves for getting out of town by 8. Pleased until we arrived at a road block outside of Ennis, MT. Look it up on a map and you'll see that there is only one road through town. Guess what! Parade! And they weren't letting anyone through until the parade was over! No exceptions!

What can you do? Enjoy the parade! I felt like this was the perfect way to spend the 4th. We were in the heart of America, in a small town watching a parade. All the kids were dressed for the holiday in red, white and blue and everyone was in the spirit of the event. The parade lasted about 2 hours so we got to know the people sitting around us pretty well! The funny thing was that they were all stranded motorists, too! The locals we did talk to were friendly and appreciative of our willingness to enjoy ourselves.

Despite our delay we still made good time and got to Spokane by about 6:00, tired but happy. The kids were excited to be somewhere familiar and Steve was just happy to have a bed! No fireworks this year but we felt, somehow, that we really didn't need them.