Oregon Vacation for the Kids

July 13, 2012

The kids went with their dad and Laurie on a trip to Bend, Oregon this summer.  Bill and Laurie are looking to retire in Oregon in a handful of years, so they thought they'd give the kids a preview of where he was going.  They went hiking, inner tubing, horseback riding, and swimming.   All three of their step-sisters were able to join them as well--a feat that may prove even more difficult as the kids continue to grow up and move into their own adult lives.   I'm sure they all had a great time, but goodness, I missed them!  I was so happy to have them back home again when vacation was over.

The Drop Off

July 9, 2012

After getting to spend the week with the boys at the Mayes household, Scott and Bill met up at the halfway point between Yakima, Washington and Bend, Oregon.  They spent a little time together so that the girls could visit with their cousins before Bill took the kids off for part two of their Oregon vacation.

Happy Birthday to Dad

July 7, 2012

Danielle came up with a cute idea for her dad for Father's Day, and she enlisted my help to put it together.  We bought letters at Michael's, and then had each of the kids hold up one of the letters and let me take a picture of them.  We then took their individual pictures and put them in a three-opening frame.  These are the pictures I took.  The colors look great in the simple, understated black frame.  Although their dad isn't much of a picture guy, he's got the frame up on his wall at his house.  Maybe with Bree out of the house and away at college, he's realizing--as much as I am-- how special it is to get them all together. 

Look, Ma--I'm a Graduate!

June 17, 2011

Brianna, just before lining up to head out to the stadium for the big event. Her check-in room was my classroom, so she made herself right at home.

Bree with good friends Simone and Austin

Walking into the stadium
Natalie Meier, graduation speaker extraordinaire. This kid is definitely one to watch--she's going to make her mark on this world!
Miss Maddy Roubicek, singing and playing an original song for graduation. What amazing talent this girl has!
Bree, standing to be recognized for one of her many outstanding achievements: Academic Scholar of Distinction, CSF Lifetime Member, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society. We are so proud of everything she accomplished during her high school years.
Walking up to accept her diploma--all the hard work has culminated in this moment....

A very proud mama and her graduate.
The graduate with her mom and dad.
Devin, Aunt Lisa, Bree, and Bailey (Taylor was there in spirit, but couldn't attend because she was on her 8th grade end-of-year trip.)
Bree and Aunt Laura
Uncle Scott, Delaney, Bree, and Aunt Jerilynn
Aunt Julie, Nathan, Matthew, Bree, Uncle Scott, and Micah
Austin Woodard, me, and Bree
Bree with her best friend, Shelby
Doug, Bree, and me
Bill, Laurie, Bree, and Morgan
Sisters Bree and Danielle
Four sibs celebrating the milestone: Lisa, Scott, Laura, and Donna

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

February 16, 2011

My good friend Rosa celebrated her 44th birthday with a gathering of friends at our favorite local karaoke place, Thai Fusion. What I love about this group is we are almost all former high school classmates who have found our way back to each other in recent years. There's just nothing like the friendship of a group of people who have all known each other for 25 plus years.

Drinks, friends, and lots of singing the night away? Sounds like a great way to spend a birthday. We might have to make it a birthday tradition for all of us!

The birthday girl
Bill and Nancy, our fantastic Thai Fusion waitress, belting it out
My hubby and me
Renee and Bill

Rick wowing the crowd
Doug and Mercedes singing Doug's favorite duet, "Paradise By the Dashboard Light"

Christmas Morning

January 4, 2011

It doesn't matter how old I get, or how old my kids get. There's just something magical about Christmas, and about spending the day together, no matter how low key it is. I'm also very happy that the kids' dad and I are very conscientious about making sure the kids get to spend part of Christmas day at each of our houses--they always see us both on Christmas day. And even though I loved the days when my kids were much littler and were so excited about Christmas that they woke up at the crack of dawn to peek at their stockings, I can't say that I'm not glad they are old enough now to want to enjoy the luxury of sleeping in before rousing to open the presents. That means Mama gets to sleep in, too!

Oktoberfest Party

October 24, 2010

Saturday night Doug and I attended an Oktoberfest party hosted by our friends Bill and Renee. Actually, the Oktoberfest theme was just a cover for the fact that Renee wanted to throw Bill a surprise birthday party. That totally added to the fun of the evening. Renee and Bill really got into the spirit of it and handmade all kinds of German fare, decorated, and played German beer -drinking songs. Bill even taught us a little German song to sing before our toast. Renee laughed because she said Bill completely threw himself into planning his own birthday party without even realizing it.

When Renee first called to invite us, we knew it was a surprise, but we didn't know whether or not anyone was dressing up. We debated back and forth whether or not we wanted to surprise everyone and come in costume. There was a chance, of course, that no one else was dressing up, and we'd show up and stand out all night long. There was also the chance everyone would dress up, and if we didn't, we'd still stand out. We didn't want to ask, though, because we kind of wanted it to be a surprise. At the last minute, we decided to go all in. I'm so glad we did! It was a lot of fun, and Bill and Renee had also gone all out, so we weren't the only ones feeling festive.