It's official - Amber and Jason tied the knot yesterday in a lovely ceremony and we were there to see it first hand. I'm so happy we made the trip. It meant a lot for me to be there to see my friend start a new life journey and I think it meant a lot to her, also. I asked her if I could post a few pictures and she said I could so when I am home I will show pictures of Amber and Jason at their finest.
We are heading back West as of today. South Bend, IN was as far East as our trip took us and we are now back in Wisconsin for the night. What a trip this has been! We've driven for hours at a time, sloshed our way down waterslides, hiked in dinosaur country, ventured into the big city of Chicago, visited my 16 month old 2nd cousin (?) and my 97 year old grandmother, witnessed a shooting in South Chicago (only into the air but frightening enough for me as we were lost and it wass 11 pm!), participated in pre-wedding functions, participated in wedding functions......whew! Need I go on? I am going to write more at home but I had access to a computer tonight so I thought I'd touch base.
Our visit with the Person/Schumacher clan was fun. The kids enjoyed re-meeting their cousins (who they didn't even know they had!). They would probably say that the highlight of the visit was the dead raccoon in the digging hole but I think they just liked being with people who were family! Our visit with Grandma was not what I would want it to be but I'm still thankful to be able to see her. She was on some pretty serious pain medication so wasn't herself. I was, once again, so proud of my son. He seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to his elderly great-granmothers. It brings tears to my eyes as I sit here and think back to him holding grandma's hand, putting his arm around her, hugging her and basically just sitting with her - all unprompted. Witnessing him with her was eye-opening for me. I know he is a sensitive little boy but we don't always see him being sensitive to the needs of others. I wish I could describe it in better detail but the words just aren't there for me.
Chicago was a blast! I'll tell more later but let's just say that I could have lived there and loved it at another time in my life.
This computer has a 20 minute time limit so I'd better skedaddle! More soon.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
We Are On Vacation!
Finally! School is out, we've hit the pool and we've gone camping so summer has officially begun in the Streeter household!
Yes, we've already had our first camping trip of the year. Our last day of school was June 6th and we packed up the van (to the brim!) and set off for the great outdoors the folloing weekend. Our good friends, the Cheesemans, invited us to hang with their high school/college crowd for Father's Day weekend so we did! Five families from Spokane, Okanogan and Portland met in Hunters, WA for the weekend and had a ball! I'd love to show you pictures but I'm at a computer that won't accept my picture card! Maybe I'll be able to add some at a later time.
The weather was gorgeous and the water was low so the swimming area was perfect for all the kids. Our site was right on the lake so kids spent most of the days down at the beach. They loved the big frogs hiding under the floating dock! They also enjoyed the freedom of being able to maneuver the Cheeseman's new canoe in the shallow, logged-in swimming area.
We had a great surprise for Dylan yesterday! Again - I wish I had the pictures uploaded so I could show you the beautiful grin that wouldn't leave Dylan's face! For several years, Dylan has been wanting to take horseback riding lessons. Last year I heard of a woman who does some therapeutic riding with individuals with disabilities. She also teaches kids without disabilities at the same time as her therapeutic rides. She uses adult and student volunteers to act as side walkers and leads. Anyway, it sounded interesting last year and the topic came up again this year so I jumped on it.
Wednesday morning, I got Dylan up, told him to put on his cowboy boots and Wranglers (I wish you could see his skinny little body in his jeans!) but wouldn't tell him what we were doing. I think he figured it out but didn't want to jinx the possibility by saying anything out loud! The whole family set off for the fairgrounds and Dylan got to ride for an hour. He began and ended the session with some grooming where he learned the importance of taking care of your horse. He then had to put his own saddle on, with some help from Siobhan. The riding itself was pretty slow as he had someone walking at his side the whole time but they were teaching him about holding the reins, posture, clicking, kicking....... well, a little of everything! Eventually, Dylan will be riding solo and in a few years could be a volunteer if he chooses too!
I was so excited to be able to do this for Dylan. He is given many opportunities but riding horses has been the one thing that I have sort of pushed aside. I always figured it was a bit of a phase and since horses terrify me :) I never really pursued the lessons. However, seeing how easily Dylan interacted with his horse and how eagerly he listened, I know I've given him a great gift. As he got out of the car at the arena he said he was so excited that he was shaking!
Yes, we are on vacation! Amber is getting married in little over a week in South Bend, IN so we are en route! Our first destination is actually Menomonie, WI where we will spend a couple of days with Aunt Coy, Uncle Don, Sara, and the kids. We will see Grandma Schumacher while we are there and maybe even all the rest of the cousins! My grandmas is in her upper nineties (her exact age is escaping my sleep deprived brain!) so I feel very fortunate to be making this trip with her in mind!
Tonight we are at Linda's and we will be in Billings tomorrow night. We have a lot of long driving days but some very fun days in between. I may be able to post and upload a few pictures in WI. We'll see!
I've been thinking about this trip for a year now and Steve and I have been planning for several months so I am very excited, as are the kids and Steve. My only regret is that we will miss Shawn and Kendall's wedding. We wish them all the happiness they deserve and will get together with them when they return from their honeymoon.
Yes, we've already had our first camping trip of the year. Our last day of school was June 6th and we packed up the van (to the brim!) and set off for the great outdoors the folloing weekend. Our good friends, the Cheesemans, invited us to hang with their high school/college crowd for Father's Day weekend so we did! Five families from Spokane, Okanogan and Portland met in Hunters, WA for the weekend and had a ball! I'd love to show you pictures but I'm at a computer that won't accept my picture card! Maybe I'll be able to add some at a later time.
The weather was gorgeous and the water was low so the swimming area was perfect for all the kids. Our site was right on the lake so kids spent most of the days down at the beach. They loved the big frogs hiding under the floating dock! They also enjoyed the freedom of being able to maneuver the Cheeseman's new canoe in the shallow, logged-in swimming area.
We had a great surprise for Dylan yesterday! Again - I wish I had the pictures uploaded so I could show you the beautiful grin that wouldn't leave Dylan's face! For several years, Dylan has been wanting to take horseback riding lessons. Last year I heard of a woman who does some therapeutic riding with individuals with disabilities. She also teaches kids without disabilities at the same time as her therapeutic rides. She uses adult and student volunteers to act as side walkers and leads. Anyway, it sounded interesting last year and the topic came up again this year so I jumped on it.
Wednesday morning, I got Dylan up, told him to put on his cowboy boots and Wranglers (I wish you could see his skinny little body in his jeans!) but wouldn't tell him what we were doing. I think he figured it out but didn't want to jinx the possibility by saying anything out loud! The whole family set off for the fairgrounds and Dylan got to ride for an hour. He began and ended the session with some grooming where he learned the importance of taking care of your horse. He then had to put his own saddle on, with some help from Siobhan. The riding itself was pretty slow as he had someone walking at his side the whole time but they were teaching him about holding the reins, posture, clicking, kicking....... well, a little of everything! Eventually, Dylan will be riding solo and in a few years could be a volunteer if he chooses too!
I was so excited to be able to do this for Dylan. He is given many opportunities but riding horses has been the one thing that I have sort of pushed aside. I always figured it was a bit of a phase and since horses terrify me :) I never really pursued the lessons. However, seeing how easily Dylan interacted with his horse and how eagerly he listened, I know I've given him a great gift. As he got out of the car at the arena he said he was so excited that he was shaking!
Yes, we are on vacation! Amber is getting married in little over a week in South Bend, IN so we are en route! Our first destination is actually Menomonie, WI where we will spend a couple of days with Aunt Coy, Uncle Don, Sara, and the kids. We will see Grandma Schumacher while we are there and maybe even all the rest of the cousins! My grandmas is in her upper nineties (her exact age is escaping my sleep deprived brain!) so I feel very fortunate to be making this trip with her in mind!
Tonight we are at Linda's and we will be in Billings tomorrow night. We have a lot of long driving days but some very fun days in between. I may be able to post and upload a few pictures in WI. We'll see!
I've been thinking about this trip for a year now and Steve and I have been planning for several months so I am very excited, as are the kids and Steve. My only regret is that we will miss Shawn and Kendall's wedding. We wish them all the happiness they deserve and will get together with them when they return from their honeymoon.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
School's Out For Summer!
I have this head banging song in my head and have for about 36 hours now! I really wish it would go away! But....yes, school is out. Yesterday at 10:40 I waved good bye to my 5th second grade class as they rode away on the school busses. Ahhh...my favorite day of the whole year! Hee hee! I love teaching because of the last day of school. Actually, I love everything about teaching except the fatigue that comes with the job so therefore, I love the last day of school!
We hosted the end of the year bar-b-que last night. Lots of fun except for the brief rainshower that forced us to move the food inside. The rest of the evening was a success and I think everyone went home happy.
We spent today recuperating from the year and from last night so I didn't get much accomplished but we did make it downtown for Okanogan Days. We all watched the parade and then Dylan and Steve walked around while Lyndsi and I went home. I pretty much slept the day away!
Once I check out from school I'll be able to think about next week's camping trip and then the up and coming "road trip". We are really looking forward to both. I'm also looking forward to getting my pictures all caught up and off my camera so I may be able to post a few fun ones soon.
We hosted the end of the year bar-b-que last night. Lots of fun except for the brief rainshower that forced us to move the food inside. The rest of the evening was a success and I think everyone went home happy.
We spent today recuperating from the year and from last night so I didn't get much accomplished but we did make it downtown for Okanogan Days. We all watched the parade and then Dylan and Steve walked around while Lyndsi and I went home. I pretty much slept the day away!
Once I check out from school I'll be able to think about next week's camping trip and then the up and coming "road trip". We are really looking forward to both. I'm also looking forward to getting my pictures all caught up and off my camera so I may be able to post a few fun ones soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
