Back to School

The girls started school this week. Ashley started first grade and is riding the bus without her big sis. She had a good first day but thought it was a really LONG day. Alysha was sick for the first day of school but managed to go on the second day. She is really nervous about starting middle school and wished she was smaller so she could still go to Washington elementary.

Ashley getting on the school bus.

Alysha all ready for her first day of 6th grade.

Oregon Coast Vacation

Alysha got home from her trip to see her dad in Texas and we celebrated her return by going out for dinner. Then we headed to my grandfather's house in Salem, Oregon to visit for a few days before school starts.



We went to the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery.



Spent the day at the Portland Zoo.



Great Grandpa Richard took us to the Enchanted Forest.



Exploring at the Enchanted Forest.



Hanging out by a little cottage at the Enchanted Forest.



Getting blown away on the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City.




Checking out the view of the ocean on our way to Newport.



Watching sharks at the Oregon Aquarium in Newport.



Oregon Aquarium in Newport.

Last stop Multnomah Falls.

We had a nice vacation now getting ready for school to start!

Is time speeding up? Where did July go?

I can't believe July is almost over. At the beginning of July I thought we didn't have much going on this month but looking back at my photos we still kept busy. Here is a photo of Ashley and Owen playing in the pop-up pool Grandma Francee gave us.




Mike moving sod from the back yard to the front so the ground could be level for the pool.





Owen and Ashley with their new pool all most filled up. Just in time for 100+ degree weather.





We went to see Amanda & Mariah's belly dance performance. They did awesome!





My brother Cody came to visit and help Molly move so we went out to celebrate, was tons of fun!

We went to Mike's 20 year high school reunion in Parma. There was a picnic in the afternoon for everyone then a wonderful dinner for all the adults in the evening.

Parma Class of '89 at their 20 yr. reunion. (only about half of the class made it)

Stacy's newest hair style. Will take me a little while to quit being shocked when I look in the mirror but hoping I won't notice how much hair is falling out now that the pieces are short not long.

Happy 4th of July!!

Owen and Ashley in front of Mike's father's Day flag before we headed to the parade.


Ashley and Owen waving at the parade floats while eating popsicles.



Ashley coloring at the 4-H booth.

Owen coloring at the 4-H booth.

Mike's 38th Birthday

Mike turned 38 yesterday - Happy Birthday! Ashley, Owen and I delivered doughnuts and birthday balloons to him at work. Then we came home and made him a cake and pizza. We are looking forward to the fourth of July!

JUNE 2009 flew by!

Ok, I'm really behind this month!! Alysha graduated 5th grade.


Ashley graduated Kindergarten so it's officially summer!


We took the kids to Lake Lowell to go fishing. We didn't caught anything but had a nice evening.



I finished my 4th week of high dose Interferon at Mountain State Tumor Institute, now just have 11 months of self injections at home.



I took the kids to the Boise Zoo. We had a nice morning visiting all the animals.



My monkeys!





We all went camping at Silver Creek Plunge. We had fun even with a little rain!

The kids made camping t-shirts.

Great Grandpa Richard came to visit.

We went to Roaring Springs for an afternoon of fun in the sun (with lots of sunscreen!)

Mike and Owen in the wave pool.

Stacy, Ashley & Owen in the kiddie area.

Alysha & Delaney at Roaring Springs.

Today we are getting Alysha's stuff packed so she'll be ready to fly to Texas tomorrow. She will be gone until August and we are all going to miss her a lot!! She has fun plans with her dad and Jayden like a trip to Georgia then on to Florida to Disney World. Well, I better get back to packing.

Last days at Washington Elementary

We are finishing up the 2008 school year with only six more days at Washington Elementary. This is the last year the kids will use the original Washington Elementary buildings which are 100 years old. By fall the new building will be ready for classes and the old building will be gone. Alysha will be moving on to the Sringa Middle School to start 6th grade, Ashley will be a big 1st grader and Owen will start preschool.

These last few days of school are keeping us all busy with class field trips, Alysha's last orchestra concert for the year, the school carnival, spirit week, family day at school, 5th grade graduation, kindergarten graduation and parties. Here are just a few photos and I'll post more later.


Ashley and Alysha ready for Hawaiian Day - Spirit Week



Owen and Ashley racing at the school carnival.

Alysha and friend Ashley sack racing at the school carnival.

Alysha and Ashley ready to eat doughnuts at the school carnival.