Hello Family :)

This Memorial Day, Emily and I packed the car for an overnight on the banks of the Chena River. We knew Stephen was going to be there with his family already, so we stopped by and grabbed him for a hike at Angel Rocks.

Cooper came, too - he was hot, but LOVED it :)

Our campsite near the river - roasting marshmallows

Playing cards - Go Fish (I believe)

My first day of Freedom from School was spent at the new Tanana Lake!

Cooper finally has his steps to the doggie door and doesn't have to climb on a table and through shelves anymore! Reorganizing the garage gave me a lot more space - YAY!

West Valley Baseball - this picture was in our local paper. That's Caleb catching. It looks like the Lathrop kid was safe, but still a cool shot.

Then it was off to Anchorage for the State Tournament.

This is them celebrating after beating the team that was supposed to win it all.

They beat them 4-0

Happy boys!

Coach said if they won he'd buy them all a steak dinner!

He delivered - Thanks, Coach!

It was also Miss Terry's (student body advisor and the other driver on this trip) birthday. 

She got to sit on the saddle and swing the napkin over her head as we sang Happy Birthday!

The boys ended up taking 5th place overall :(

But spirits were high and we ended the weekend with a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Caleb has a job!!!

He is working the morning buffet shift at the Westmark Hotel as a busboy.

Loves the hours - 6:30-10:30am (comes home an goes back to sleep)

He gets an hourly wage, plus tips, plus a really delicious meal everyday when their shift is over.

Just wish he would smile like a normal person :)

That's it for now. 

 This weekend is a "girls" camping trip to Birch Lake.

Love you all!

May

Happy May to you all!  We have had the best month here in the north.

It's been warm and sunny and absolutely gorgeous!  No telling what the rest of the summer will bring, so we're soaking it in :)

Caleb went to San Jose for his last run at Selects this year.

At the end of the camp, they pulled together an "All-Star" team to compete in the final game. 

Caleb was chosen - YAY!

Here he is with his other Fairbanks buddies: Ethan, Caleb, Cole, Calvon

My Mother's Day gifts...

and...  His name is Bart and the squirrel is Simon :)

And then, the BEST DAY EVER! My b-day :)

Emily and I waiting for the rest of the crew to show up for dinner at the Salmon Bake

Stephen, Emily, yours truly, Caleb and Leah

Stephen's mom, step-dad, brother and his girlfriend were also there.

These are the salmon fry that we released into the lake. We harvested the eggs last October with Fish and Game, raised them all year in our classroom tank and then set them free.

Swim little fishes, swim!

Graduation this year was a great preparation for next year - plus we love a few of the seniors!!

This is Caleb and Tayllor (hockey, baseball, all-around bro)

Emily and Tayllor

And then, of course, Wyatt - the first baby to leave the nest :)

It was amazing how Emily remembered this picture was in the album.

And even more amazing that the four of them are standing in the same position.

LOVE IT!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO YOU ALL!

BE SAFE!

April to May-ish

Emily's birthday morning - all dressed up pretty.

Caleb also had to dress nice for baseball.

Made for a good picture together :)

15 years old today!

Just a heads up - to all my rich relatives out there - she'd like a jeep when she turns 16!!!

Thanks Uncle Brian and Aunt Mel for the much loved CASH$$$

She got leggings and a curling wand from her bro

Awesome purse and sweater vest - so chic!

Found the $$ two days later in the purse!

Thanks, Nana and Papa!

Thanks, Aunt Misty, Sahara and Canyon for the polish and seeds.

We have just the spot for them :)

Caleb's National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Way to go, Bub!  We are so proud of this kid :)

Scott (the vet) joined us for the event

Love this one...

I told Scott that I wanted a picture with him and Caleb to hang in his office when he becomes a vet. He said, "I'm still gonna try and talk him out of it!"

Emily and I attended Stephen's Confirmation Ceremony on Saturday.

Caleb's "Red" team in San Jose.

98 Select Camp

He was chosen to be on the "All Star" team for the final game Sunday morning. 

So were his other buddies from Fairbanks Ethan, Cole and Calvon

He had a great time this year - his last year to participate in Selects.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Emily and Caleb got me this patio fire pit

...and this cute Welcome Bear we named Bart and his friend Simon the squirrel.

then Emily and I had an AMAZING steak dinner at the Turtle Club.

I head to the airport in 2 hours to pick up Caleb.

We have 9 school days left with kids

11 school days left for teachers

8 days until this girl's birthday

May is a great month!

Love you all :)

Prom/Easter

Prom Night!

Caleb asked Leah to the prom using hundreds of sticky notes on the back of her car. I asked him why he had to do that since they're already dating? He said, "I still have to be clever!" :)

Because they are both members of student council, they had to set up before prom and clean up after. It was quite an exhausting day, but they had a great time!

Group shot...

Close up...

And, if it weren't for Jenna and Gabe, who ALWAYS get crowned royalty, Caleb and Leah would have won!  They were runners up and, therefore, prince and princess. I thought that was adorable and cool, he thought it was lame. Oh well!

My lovely Easter flowers !

HAPPY EASTER!

Stephen came over in the afternoon...

They LOVE taking pictures - especially together...

So, I made it worse and made them take one with mom!

I love it :)

This was our dessert...

YUMMY!

(angel food cake squares, mixed fruit and whipped cream)

Love you all!