We went up the Space Needle last night and saw the city in lights. It was amazing! We went on an hour long harbor cruise and walked around downtown. Ethan even got to go for a taxi ride with John and Carol! Lucky boy.

We are on day 2 of our trip to Seattle with our friends the Cochrans and Eli. We just had a great dinner at our favorite pizza place Zeeks! Highlights for today are...the Experience Music Project, The Space Needle, swimming in the great hotel pool. The weather has been great. We happen to have chosen the weekend of the Gay Pride parade. Needless to say this has given the boys lots to talk about

Big D on the Court

My camera doesn't work well in the gym. My phone doesn't do much better but these are the few shots that aren't blurry so you can see Dallas at work on the court. He's having fun playing basketball with the JV team at the high school. It's so fun to watch him. He has really been working on dunking the ball. It won't be long now and he'll have it down. He can jump so high...I am very impressed!

Please Don't Ruin My Shirt

The last day of school tradition at PES is to have everyone sign your shirt. Ethan usually has people sign his sock as well. This year he went a different route. He wasn't wearing a shirt that he wanted writing on so...He's a true original!

Leaving Middle School Behind

He's not sad it's over, he's ready to move on...after a long summer break of course.

Ethan Says GOODBYE to the 5th Grade!

Ethan and his class graduate 5th Grade!
Ethan is awarded his graduation certificate from the Principal and his teacher.

One last number.

Ethan sang in his last Falcon Singer Choir Concert on Wednesday. It was at the 5th grade assembly celebrating the end of the year for the kids who will be moving on to Middle School. My baby is growing up fast.

Accidental Doggie Abuse Shows What Emmitt is Made Of!

Yesterday Dallas had a basketball tournament in Sweet Home. We left our house at 8:30am and thought we'd be home around 1:00. We were wrong. We finally got home at about 7:30pm. Our poor little Emmitt had been in his kennel for 11 hours. My guilt during the day was growing with each passing hour, and I was quite sure I would come home to a big mess in his little house. Needless to say our sweet little doggie, although lonely I'm sure, had not gone potty in his kennel. We have given him the title of "Best Dog Ever" for overcoming such abuse by his otherwise loving family. We have learned our lesson and will make sure he never has to endure such great trauma again! Sorry Emmitt, we love you.

8th Grade Dessert Dance

Dallas got all dressed up to celebrate leaving the 8th grade behind. He and all of his friends went to the traditional dessert dance and then to a movie. He consented to a few photos and even swooped his hair out of his eyes for me (sort of). The lovely lady is his friend Kali.

The Gutters Overfloweth!

Wow, the wacky weather came to town. I can't remember ever seeing a storm like this one. Here is the view of our gutters working overtime.

Ethan Does NOT Get On His Teacher's Nerves

Ethan reports that he earned an extra recess today! His teacher, Mr. Patterson, was giving any kid who didn't have any behavior points for the week or "get on his nerves" today a chance in an extra recess drawing. Ethan said his teacher feigned surprise when he pulled Ethan's stick from the cup. (I think Ethan might get on his nerves sometimes and I know he gets behavior points sometimes) Ethan said he jumped up and said "YES!" when his name was called and the whole class clapped and cheered for him. He was thrilled. There's nothing better than extra recess.

Ethan and Mom go on a Field Trip

High Desert Museum

Ethan and his favorite..the porcupine

My group at the High Desert Museum

Our fabulous sleeping arrangements!

A view of the Painted Hills from the bus.

Taken by Ethan

Peterson's Rock Garden

Peterson's Rock Garden

Smith Rock State Park

Richardson's Rock Ranch

Richardson's Rock Ranch

In May, Ethan's 5th grade class went on a 4 day 3 night field trip to the Bend area to study the geology of Oregon. I was lucky enough to get to go with him. We had a good time and had lots of experiences we would not have had otherwise. We went to Lava Lands, hiked at Smith Rock, walked (and crawled) through a lava tube cave, visited Richardson's Rock Ranch, Peterson's Rock Garden, hiked in the Blue Basin at the John Day Fossil Beds, saw the Painted Hills, and toured the High Deseret Museum. I'm exhausted just remembering it all.

Welcome the the Grand Opening of our Fantastic Four Family Blog!