Yikes! High School...

I officially have two high schoolers! WOW!

They are both doing very well and getting involved in their classes.

Caleb with several honors classes, hockey and student council. 

Emily is adjusting to not having very many of her friends around. Most of her good buddies that she spent the past 9 years with have all gone to the high school on the other side of town.

She is making new friends and being part of the cheer squad has helped tremendously.

SHE LOVES IT!

Cheer/Football has to start in August here otherwise we're playing in the snow at the end of the season. West Valley is currently 0-3, but still having fun!

Emily got her permit in mid August and has been practicing her driving everywhere we go. 

The first day of school is for Freshman only called "Ignition". This should have been a sleep-in day for Caleb but because he's on student council, he had to go the first day, too!!  Poor Caleb, he doesn't look too happy.  Emily had a great day! The upperclassmen mentors make this a fun, positive day for the newbies so they can get their feet wet before the crowds come.

The house project I wanted to accomplish was installing a doggie door before winter hit. Cutting a hole through drywall was easy and fun. Cutting a hole in the exterior wall was less fun.

After about two hours and several mistakes, the door is in and Cooper is loving his extended freedom. The next job is to build him a ramp because the garage is below ground level by about 4 feet. Right now he enters the garage and steps onto shelves, then a table, then a bucket!!!

I'll probably do a little landscaping out here as well to give him more of an entrance.

My second grade class this year is starting out to be quite awesome!  I was fortunate to loop up with 9 of my first graders from last year, making the transition so easy. The kids that are new to my room have adjusted well and are so very sweet. I have 22 and love the low number!

Ken and I plan to run/walk/crawl the equinox marathon again this year! 

It's 2 weeks from today!

Until next time...

LOVE HUGS AND KISSES!!

August...

Happy mid-August to all of you!

Thank you Nana and Papa for the BBQ grill!

It's perfect :) 

The sides fold down and with the cover on, it all tucks away nicely.

I've actually cooked two very tasty meals with lots more to come.

YUM!

This is Emily's "I made varsity cheer" face, only to have it taken away :(

Apparently there will be no freshman on Varsity this year, only JV.

We are asking for a bit more clarification about this from coach, but haven't heard back yet.

It was a crappy thing to deal with.

Caleb's truck is 98% done. 

It will always be 98% done in his mind, because it'll never be perfect. 

I think it looks amazing!

This truck started out completely dented and broken all around from a collision and it was a dark green (almost black) color. Caleb and Rodd did all the work themselves.

Emily drew the fair on her dry erase board.

Kinda blurry, sorry.

Ken and I hiked Donnelly Dome on Saturday, just south of Delta.

It was something I've been wanting to do for the past several years, and finally found the perfect day and partner to do it with. The weather was great and the views spectacular.

These picture don't really do it justice, but we made it to the top.

My car is parked down there off the road...

On the top...

So, to avoid speculation... I'll just come out and say that Ken and I are dating.

He's my best friend and the only person I'd want to do something like this with.

It was a great day :)

All right... That's what's new. 

Hope this finds you all well, safe and sound.

Love, hugs and kisses.

Getting closer...

10 days of freedom left for me, 17 for the kids!

We completely moved out of the apartment and into the house as of July 28th.

The organization is going well...

Stormy's move...

Emily was worn out after carrying a few boxes and totes!

the kitchen (phase 1)...

The living room (phase 1)...

My room (phase 1)...

Emily's room (phase 1)...

Good bye apartment...

Living room (phase 2)...

Caleb's bathroom (final)...

Dining room, with the new table from Bailey's

It's perfect :)

Kitchen - complete

So cute :)

My room (final) 

I get to use the shelves for all my cutsie things.

Our trip to Anchorage was great!  

It was a beautiful drive and we had beautiful weather!

We arrived at 10:30pm 

The deal was: We either stay in a hotel or we can shop. 

We can't do both! 

So, we camped. 

This is us snug in the car - no tent the first night :)

Emily modeling a cute vest she bought.

The sunset over the bay...

Deep in thought on where to shop next...

We were also in Anchorage to watch Caleb's single A tournament.

He was catcher and 2nd base.

They did not fair well, ended up taking last :(

Emily took SO MANY selfies, I wanted a picture, too :)

Cheer and Hockey tryouts start tomorrow!

It's been a great summer and a successful move.

I love...   LOVE...     L O V E...  my house!!!

Hope you are all doing well and living life to the fullest :)

Loves, Hugs and Kisses!

A Mid-Summer's Dream Part 2

And the story continues...

Caleb spent some quality time getting his stuff exactly where he wanted it.

He did a pretty good job :)

A house warming plant from Ken.

This girl turns 10 today!

Happy birthday, Stormy :)

Emily participated in Cheer camp these past 3 days.

She's a flier :)

You can't really see her going up or down, but it was pretty cool for only practicing for 3 days.

All the camp girls...

North Pole on the left in red

West Valley in the middle in white

Lathrop on right in purple.

Emily is 5th from right, hands on knees.

Should finish up moving by tomorrow afternoon. 

Then clean the apartment.

More pictures as we get rooms put together.

A Mid-Summer's Dream...

Hello Everyone! Only a few short weeks left of summer break.

Here's what's been happening...

Emily had a week of volleyball camp...

All the campers on the last day.

Emily is third from left, front row.

Caleb's been super busy with baseball since he's playing on both the A and AA team.

This particular picture captured the team just after they put Caleb down from their shoulders :)

It was tied 3-3, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, one runner on second...

His hit allowed the base runner to score ending the game!

Woo Hoo!

Pitching...

After a day's work helping his dad on the roof, the nasty sunburn peeled...

The birthday boy...

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY CALEB!

Thank you, everyone, for the gifts, gift cards and cash!!

He loved everything :)

Caleb and Thomas (his driver instructor) just after he PASSED his test!

We immediately went to the DMV for the temporary license.

Driving away from the DMV.

He really didn't want his picture taken.

He wants to be in his truck, but since it's not ready, mom's car is all we got!

Caleb and Emily playing a little b-day catch in the field next door.

Then the actual license arrived a few days later...

Golden Days Parade...

Army band

My friend Tracy's new puppy (Pepper)

Crazy old floats...

Those say "Little Pots Of Gold"

Red Hackel Pipe band

Fire trucks

Tracy's daughter Jordan was marching with the tennis association.

Emily and the rest of DTF 

They danced 2 routines the entire time about a mile and a half.

It was rainy and cold at the start, but sunny and warm by the end.

OK... moving day, July 22nd

first car load into the garage...

I did about 3 of these and one with the truck.

That same evening Emily wanted to roller blade.

I rode my bike and Cooper jogged along.

We went on a 5 mile loop.

Coop was exhausted at the end!!!

Day 2...

My beautiful pictures will hang above the mantle... eventually.

I've picked out a simple table and chairs from Baileys to go here...

Still my favorite spot... :)

Lovely bay window...

Not the greatest view, but still pretty.

This is the 4th bedroom... i.e.: storage, sports, weights

Caleb moved 1/2 of his stuff today and we'll finish his room tomorrow because he leaves for Anchorage tomorrow night. 11 days of baseball...Yikes!

This closet under the stairs will host out of season jackets, but all the boxes are just for Christmas!

Ok, that's it for now. Day three is just around the corner. Emily starts cheer camp and Caleb heads down the road. We'll get most of the heavy stuff moved, then I'll finish ups with the small random stuff on my own. However... If any of you wish to help, I'm at 1501 Market Street :)

LOVES!