Great Wolf Lodge

This July 4th, we broke tradition and went to Great Wolf Lodge. It has been so dry this year that I personally was worried about all the fireworks and damage it could do. I didn't want it at our house, nor didn't I want to deal with the clean up...not to mention the expense. When an amazing deal came up to go to Great Wolf Lodge, we jumped at the opportunity. In a sense, we ended up using our fireworks $ for a different family adventure. We drove up the afternoon before, swam until the park closed and returned for more swimming first thing in the morning. It was a little crowded so the lines for the water slides were longer than we were used to. We were glad we went, as the kids were a little more daring to try them all. We started heading home around dinner time and arrived just as the neighborhoods were getting started with their firework celebrations. Lauren and I went on a few walks to enjoy the fireworks. Again, it felt like we were in the middle of a war zone with "booms" going off in all directions. It was fun to not be tide down to one "show".

Happy Birthday America!

End of School Year Activities

Buckle up...there is a lot!!!

To start off, we have Carley's last Band Concert for 6th Grade.

Kenny also had a final concert of the year. As usual, I can never get a clear view of him as he sits right behind the Conductor and behind the flutists.

In here somewhere, we had a Piano Recital for Kenny and Lauren. This time around, it was all duets. Kenny played with a friend and then with Lauren twice.

Now to start in on all the "last time" events for elementary school. I'm trying to be sentimental about it all, but secretly I'm so glad to be moving on.

Lauren decided to run the 4 X 100 relay, 100  dash and 100  hurdles. I think she was disappointed about her races outside of the relay (they took first in their group), but I know she had fun.

Lauren ran the second leg for her team. The only one in her group with shorts and a bright green headband. Her friends had already joined a group when Lauren missed the first day so somehow, she got "stuck" with a fast group.

After the meet, a few families went to Red Robbin to celebrate.

During Pride Night, the parents go around with their kids to see all the projects they have been working on. This also gives the 5th graders a chance to perform on the Marimbas, and in their band or orchestra groups. The band was a little painful to listen to.  :-)

This much I can tell you, I WILL miss the Marimbas and Illahee's AMAZING music teacher, Mr. Hurst.


The big field trip of the year for 5th graders is a trip to Mt. St. Helens. They get to explore the Lava Tubes for a little bit, and they get to go for short walks around the area to see other evidences of the damage the eruption caused. I got to go on this field trip which was great. I love to see Lauren in her element.

Lauren was also in the talent show. Lauren and Emmy made up a cute dance in chub suits. They were the closing performance and they were a hit! Click on the link. It really is worth the visit. Lauren is the one on the right.

https://www.facebook.com/karin.w.rivera/videos/10153672328753976/

Last was the 5th Grade picnic. They walk to a nearby park to eat lunch and play outdoor games for a couple of hours. It is so fun to see all the 5th graders celebrating together.

Below Lauren is giving Charlotte a hug. Charlotte had moved away a month or so before. She surprised everyone by showing up for the party.

 Lauren was moved to tears.

All of the 5th Graders

Teacher's Pet

Mud Run

My friends asked me to run in a 5K mud run with them. In a moment of weakness, I said yes. It was a blast! But it was also painful. I know I can whip out a 5K about any day even though I don't run regularly, but running a 5K with hard obstacles along the course...that was another matter. It was hard! I got a few battle wounds along the way too. It was totally worth it!!!

I had fun making the shirts too!

Here we are in all our cleanliness.

The muddy results.

My knees didn't fair too well. At the beginning, I had a hard time spotting any dug out foot holds in the hills after coming out of the watery mud pits. It was slippery and I went down hard.

Jen's legs got scraped up too. I'm still in awe that Kelly came out unscathed.

Kenny is 15!

Kenny never got his act together in deciding what he wanted to do for his birthday so it was pretty low key.

I love all his quirky faces!

He requested I make an apple pie. I've only made apple pie once before about 10 years ago. It was AMAZING! I used the same recipe but this pie did NOT turn out. It was edible though, and the ice cream was yum.

Kenny received a suit for his birthday but it didn't arrive on time. If I remember, I'll post a picture of him in it later.

April Fool's and Easter

Lauren has this really big bunny that is really creepy looking. She sits it in her room where when I'm on the computer in the loft, it is staring right at me when her door is open. I HATE the thing. She thought it would be hilarious to put it in my room with some celery (which is just as creepy) so it would be the first thing I look at when waking up on April 1st. I feel so loved!

Easter this year fell on Conference Sunday, which I really like. I had the kids dye eggs while listening to conference. I'm glad they still enjoy dying eggs.

Piano Recital

With Mark's new job and my working 12 to 16 hours a week, we were able to work piano lessons back in. Here is the kids' first piano recital after starting up in February.

Carley did NOT want to have piano lessons again. We begged her to at least give it a month or two before quitting. She has since quit.  :-(

Solo Ensemble

Kenny participated in the Solo Ensemble at the High School in February. He was quite ambitious to take on three pieces.

Valentine's Day

This year we went out with our good friends the Krimmes for Valentine's Day. We went bowling and then out to dinner. I may have dominated at bowling, just saying.

That 308 is my combined score of the two games. Yep, my other score was 157. I've never bowled so well!

Not sure if Mark's face is from not getting all the pins down or him realizing I was recording it.  :-)

Sock Hop

The Elementary School had a Sock Hop in which Lauren was DYING to go. So we dressed up as best we could last minute and headed to the fun. We all enjoyed dancing, though Carley felt most comfortable helping out at the concession stand.

They had a Hoola Hoop contest. Lauren needs to work on her skills.  :-)

New Year's Day

After we took our time waking up New Year's Day, we wondered what to do. Mark suggested we go to Multnomah Fall because with all the freezing weather, he was sure it was frozen over. We all liked the idea so we got out our warmest coats, hats and gloves and we were off.

It was breathtaking!!!

Kenny and I were the only brave enough ones to hike up to the bridge which was SUPER icy. We were rewarded with not only finding warmth by hiking, we found a beautiful view!

Yeah! A nice warm car!!