October violin recital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2thpK5jCcw

Summer Violin Recital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqu_UUM7C88

Last day trip of the summer

Ocean Shores was a longer drive than we remembered. Going thru Aberdeen, we stopped at Walmart. Clouds were looming in the West and we didn't have a good feeling about the weather being as hot as we expected. Ocean Shores was cold, misty and cloudy. Boys played football then J & P worked on sand castles. I stayed in the car to keep warm. On the drive back was stop and go traffic but H-Mart was a hit! Stocked up on goodies and kids enjoyed weaving thru the snack aisles. Weather wasn't the best but we had our family together.

Reunion

What a treat to actually see the view of the lake from a waterfront home! Great friends, dessert and champagne...bummer summer vacation is half over. For this photo, I remembered to get in the back. hehe!

Coeur d' Alene

Our first time crossing Idaho border. The day of arrival was spent touring the boardwalk. The weather was sunny, warm and the lake pleasant. As we walked in the park, dad wasn't paying attention and his foot was caught in a hole and mom got hit by a football on the arm from boys who overthrew the ball while playing catch. We walked on the boardwalk (it was floating), P and I felt seasick. There were teenage boys standing on a cliff, contemplating whether or not to jump. One boy did and I wanted to yell that it was dangerous. It was a teaching moment for J & P.


The next day we ventured to Silverwood Theme Park. We were suckered to ride the train and it was a 30 minute tour, I did see a pretty good sized bug that looked like a piece of bark. I realized that I'm afraid of heights, along with P, we rode the ferris wheel. As we stopped at the top, I was frightened of flipping and told P to stay as still as possible so we wouldn't rock. I look content in the photo but don't be fooled, I wanted off!

We then rode on tremors (one of the tamer wooden roller coasters). It was enough for me, lots of bumps, turns, catching air and squooshing Little J, but I enjoyed it. P waited at the exit. The day ended at the water park. Dad went down one of the steep slides. At the top, he was fearful that the lady in front of him was about to slip and flip over the railing. The boys intertubed and I even entered the wave pool. J & P relaxed in the lazy river, begging one more time around.

We had dinner at Tomato Street, it was a quaint local Italian restaurant, can you tell who's who?


Before leaving, we shopped at the biggest Dollar Store. I weaved through every aisle and had to refrain, putting some items back on its shelf. Even J & P were limited to 5 items each. Though the drive was long, the trip was memorable, even the horrible stay at Shilo Inn in Moses Lake (see Big J's trip advisor review - choosy traveler indeed).

Happy Birthday Dad!

We miss you very much! I know mom and grandma will have a tough day today thinking about you. I hope there is a party for you in Heaven.

http://www.dayspring.com/ecards/card.asp?id=5459969-4F2B1

Firecracker Tourney in Burlington

Hour and half drive each way to Burlington for three days straight! Crossfire is quite a committment. 0 goals for J in game one, 1 goal in game two and 2 goals in game three. The weather stayed dry, thankfully. The team meshed well and showed good teamwork and passing for their 1st tournament.

6th Grade Graduation

J is off to Junior High. I skipped the 2nd to the last day of work to go to 6th grade graduation. It was great to see neighborhood friends and watching them grow from kindergarten. J received a Presidential Award for top grades and behavior. Way to go :)

Spring Break 2010

Sky blue waters, 85 degree weather, sun, and time with family make a perfect combination for spring break. Our first time in Cancun. I was warned of the locals bombarding Americans to buy things or purchase day trips as soon as we stepped off the plane. We studied the peso exchange rate and read trip advisor reviews religiously. True enough, upon exiting baggage claim, we were surrounded. Fortunately, we knew the sign to spot, Casa Magna Marriott and loaded the hotel shuttle. The drive to the hotel was jerky, fast and bumpy, especially after our red eye flight. We were thrilled to be able to get early check-in and found our room had a decent angled view of the ocean. The grains of sand were white and felt like powder beneath our feet.

Photo album customized with Smilebox

I miss my Dad!

It's a little over 2 months since Dad's gone to Heaven. Life was so focused around him since summer to December. I know he's in God's Hands. I've dreamed of him a few times. I see his pictures and just want to cry. Then put them away quickly and blink away the tears. I miss him so much!