Birthday Lunch with the Ladies...

While I was in Ontario I had my birthday. It's become a bit of a tradition to go out for lunch with all the sisters, sisters-in-laws, and married neices for birthdays. Here's a few shots of us out for lunch - at the end of the table was the youngest grandchild Ryeanne as well as the first great-grandchild Tyler - both got lots of attention from the ladies... So cute!!

25 Years Ago...

Last week we returned home from a family trip to Ontario. During that trip I was able to get together with some high school friends (and elementary...). We went to dinner at Milestones and had a nice time catching up. Much has changed but certain things never do - we can still act like kids when we get together!

Birthday Month!

July is a busy month in our family as far as birthday's go. Jocelyn's was last Friday & unfortunately I didn't get any photos. She had some friends over from Langley on Friday evening and then a big surprise birthday party on Sunday evening. It was fun to see her face as a huge line up of cars came down the road - honking their horns. First a look of confusion - after all her birthday was over - and then a realization that the fuss was about her. Lots of good fun. Hannah had her friends over on Saturday evening and I did get a few photos. This was more because I was proud of my new skill at decorating cupcakes. I went to Michael's and bought this cute cupcake holder to display them - I think you'll be seeing this again at future birthdays!

Weekend on the Peninsula

This past weekend we took a motorhome (rented/borrowed) and went to visit a friend's (parents) cabin on lakefront (Timberlakes) property near Shelton. We had such a wonderful time getting to know their extended family. We did tons of fishing, sitting around, badminton, eating and, did I mention eating? We also enjoyed a fabulous 4th of July fireworks show - the entire community around this small lake goes all out and puts on the most amazing show we've ever seen. We almost felt bad that we hadn't paid to be there... Here's also a few pictures of us in Bremerton - three of us toured a retired battleship and we all enjoyed the aircraft carriers that are docked at the base there.

Happy 4th of July

Before we leave for the weekend to go to a friend's cabin (Bremerton area) I thought I better post quickly. We're all doing well - not having the warmest beginning to summer but enjoying it nonetheless. Here's a photo of Alec and his friend when we were at Cultus Lake waterslides. We try to go there in June while they run a great "after school" special - except we're out of school by then.

Wishing all of you a Happy 4th of July (or Canada Day) and enjoy your weekend!

Nice car...

I couldn't resist putting this picture up - here I am bringing my boss's car back from the airport. This is probably the first and last time I'll drive a porsche. Nice car...

8th Grade Graduation

This weekend marked the long-awaited 8th grade graduation ceremonies for Hannah. It turned out to be a beautiful celebration. I was on the "decorating committee" and spent the better part of the afternoon making our gym fabulous-looking for the occasion. When we were finished we discovered a very nasty smell in the kitchen which turned out to be a sewer backup at the school. We had the privilege of taking everything down and starting over in the church. (grrrrr...) Here's some photos - presenting the newest highschool students of CCS!!

Alec's Birthday

Here's a few pictures of Alec's birthday party. He had a few boys over - they went to the skateboard park and then played games at our house. On his actual birthday he wanted "breakfast in bed". The only problem is that he wakes up on Saturdays before me (often) and so he had to go back to bed to have his breakfast...

So beautiful...

Pictures don't do justice to what I saw at the end of last week. We try to have a weekly staff meeting & since we're meeting with people south of us we get to fly to our meetings. On the way back it was an absolutely beautiful evening - totally clear and quiet. In order to see the sunset on the ocean & islands we used up some time and flew around Mt. Baker for a while. We were close enough to see the steam escaping at the top (yes, it's active) as well as see a few hikers' camps. It was absolutely amazing - takes your breath away. We definitely know God through His creation. Here's a few photos...

Celtic Women

Finally, this past Monday arrived after much anticipation and we could drive down to Seattle to pick Lorelle up! One year of College is complete... already! She drove across country with two friends immediately after her last exam. They parted ways in Kennewick, WA - as one of the friends who had the vehicle went down to Portland and another friend's Dad from Tacoma picked the other two up. All we had to do was meet them in Seattle on Monday evening and take her home. The weather has been fantastic and she's enjoying some down time before she starts work at the CHCC.

Last night the women in our home had the pleasure of going to a Celtic Women Concert in Seattle. We love watching this group on PBS but never thought we'd actually go see them in person. When I received an email that their tickets were being deeply discounted I couldn't resist! It was a fabulous performance - they are a class act! When we arrived at the theatre the girls immediately spotted a nice looking young man fully outfitted in his scottish kilt. The braver one in our family decided to ask him if we could have a picture taken with him. It turns out - as his mother informed us - he plays in a celtic band himself and was wearing his band "outfit". The girls had fun dressing up for the evening and it was truely a night to remember!

Washington State Republican Party Fundraiser Dinner/Gala

Here's a few snapshots of a dinner I attended with most of our campaign office staff - the Washington State Republican Party Fundraiser Dinner in Bellevue. We had a nice time - it was definitely a fundraiser as the auction lasted right through dinner & afterwards. It's always interesting trying to have a conversation while someone is auctioning through a loudspeaker. The main speaker was Governor Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota) - enjoyed his speech and had a nice time overall!

Science Fair

Not the greatest pictures, but here's a little peak at the Science Fair activities from Hannah & Alec. Hannah did a presentation on yeast with a friend - also changed my cinnamon bun recipe into a Pizza Roll (they were very good!). Alec did his presentation on the brain - using an activity to show how difficult it is to use both sides of the brain at the same time. I'm always a bit apprehensive when the Science Fair looms on the horizon - we're just not that strong in that area & don't usually shine that well... As I tell my kids, you can't be good at everything but you can certainly try!

A Boy and His Dog...

This past weekend Alec attended the Youth Fair - the Dog Division. There were probably 30 kids and their dogs in this division. He enjoyed it, learned a lot and was ready to come home after the two days were over. With that many kids there's plenty of waiting for your turn. Carman had had enough as well - and was happy to be back in his kennel. Here's Alec in his stall - decorated in a cowboy theme. At the end there was an awards ceremony and Alec received a rosette for "Best Trick". That's what happens when a boy spends lots of time with his dog.

Didn't know work could be this much fun!

This past week I had the opportunity to go to Wenatchee with most of the campaign office staff with Paul Akers to attend a Candidate's Forum. Since Paul's a pilot & owns his own plane we are able to book many more functions and meetings as he hits the campaign trail. Here we are with most of the people I work with in his office - a fabulous group of people. It was good to listen to the candidates and learn more about their position on the questions that were asked of them.

Learning and more learning...

The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind with more changes than I had imagined possible. Since getting the phone call from the Akers for US Senate Campaign office I've been totally immersed in an entire new world of politics and campaigning. I've had to absorb so much information in such a short time but it's been a thrill. Yesterday our office staff had the privilege of spending an evening meeting with Mike Siegel. In a past blog posting I expressed my frustration and uncertainty about whether to go back to earn a degree. This has been an awesome opportunity to learn as I work and I'm probably learning far more than if I was sitting in a classroom. I'll keep you posted. In case I'm not challenged enough, I've been working very part-time at a tutoring center in Bellingham. We'll see where all this leads - in the meantime I'll enjoy the learning process.

Tonight we have our school's Easter Program. I joined our small church choir after many years and have enjoyed practicing a few pieces we'll be singing at this program. This is the first time I've attempted singing in the alto section - also an opportunity to learn & stretch out of my comfort zone. We're looking forward to singing tonight and listening to the kids' program as well. Then, tomorrow our kids start their Spring Break. It will be a welcome break from the homework and school commitments they sometimes find overwhelming.

Dordt Choir Tour

This past week we hosted four Dordt College choir members for two nights. The Dordt Choir is on their 2010 Spring Tour to the Western USA states (includes one Canadian venue) where they will perform in 11 cities, as well as several smaller concerts at school assemblies and senior facilities. Their concert was amazing - I sure wish I could sing like they do. Their program included classic pieces, spirituals/gospel, folk, as well as some very fun pieces. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting these girls - one of them was a daughter of a former PSA colleague from Iowa. They were dropped off yesterday and the bus was being loaded, ready for their first day without a concert. They were on their way to Seattle to spend the day - and it was a perfect sunny Washington morning!! Have fun girls!!

Great job, Jocelyn!

This past week I watched Jocelyn's testing for the advanced yellow belt in taekwondo (green stripe). She absolutely loves going to these classes & her instructors say she has the potential to take this to competition level. I went with her a few times to a fitness class and noticed I wasn't exactly in their league. Nothing wrong with trying to keep up with others as far as fitness goes... (I did say "try")

A new week...

This past Saturday was a very beautiful day - actually we've had quite a few lovely Spring days which is partly why I haven't blogged. I've spent a bit of time in the gardens - just enough to make things look cared for and enough to make me think about what's going into my vegetable garden this year. These photos are of my camelia bush by my front door. My Mom bought this for me a number of years ago and each year it looks like this. I only wish the flowers would stay longer - depending on whether it rains or not the flowers turn brown on the edges & start falling off. I was able to pick enough of a variety of flowers from my garden to make my first bouquet for the house. Isn't it beautiful?

This past week was busy. Henry was in Winnipeg for business and I started volunteering at Paul Aker's for US Senate campaign office. Check here for more information - it's been an amazing experience so far. I'll keep you posted - in the meantime check out his website and tell a few more people about what you've read.

Lorelle was supposed to come home yesterday but her plane was cancelled due to maintenance issues. Nice that this happened on the ground but it caused a cancelled flight - and because it's Spring Break for midwest colleges there were too many students to rebook. Delta decided to rebook them on a flight two days later - which was not a happy solution for most people. So the group of people she was standing in line with (yes, complete strangers) decided to rent a van, split the cost and drive from Omaha to Minneapolis to catch their connector flight. She was with two Dordt students she knew well and their parents, as well as myself, grilled the driver over the phone to make sure this was a "safe" solution. The gentleman I spoke with assured me it was very random & he had a daughter as well whom he would be quite concerned about should he have this type of phone conversation. The airline gave them vouchers for a hotel stay once they arrived - which was in the wee hours of the morning since it's a 6 hour drive. So far we've heard they arrived safely at the hotel and were looking forward to a short sleep before checking in at the airport. We're really hoping this will be the day she gets into the Seattle airport - we're also hoping her luggage will arrive there as well.... :)

Next week the Dordt Choir performs in the Pacific Northwest as part of a 10 day tour they're on. We have four students sleeping here for two nights - it started with one, then two, then it grew into four. As long as they're not fussy where they sleep I'm sure it'll be lots of fun! We're looking forward to listening to the choir perform - we attended their performance three years ago and it was fabulous!