Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom put on another great feast for us!! We had a very relaxing day followed by a little holiday shopping fun for Mom and me on Friday morn. I wasn't the crazy coot out at 4:00 am. but still found some great deals by mid-morning.

This year I am most thankful for family..my busy boys, fun-loving husband, caring parents, adorable niece who calls to talk to me often... As my brother and sister both live out of town with their families...it makes the times we spend with them more special. I am also thankful for my great friends and a job that I love. I have so many blessings in my life and always appreciate a day to celebrate them.

Ouch- Luke's first broken bone!

Well, we have been to the Emergency room with Luke a few times before. However, this is the first broken bone for him. On Monday, he fell off of the top rung of Ryan's bunk beds He landed with a loud thud and cried for a long while. Matt was on duty...I was at work..and he wasn't quite sure if it was broken at first because Luke continued to play as usual. We noticed that evening that he just seemed to guard it more than necessary and wouldn't put any weight on it. Finally, Tuesday morning we decided it was worth it to get it checked out and thank goodness. He has a break of the radial bone and is wearing a full arm cast. He hated it for the first couple of hours but has adjusted quite well. He just refuses to wear long sleeves over it. We wrestled for a good 10 minutes before church today! My dad says that this will probably be the first of many for Luke. Let's hope not!!

Happy Halloween

We had a fun night. I was in a writing conference all day which was very informative, yet brain boggling. It was nice not to have to battle the Halloween high at school--kind of a bonus. So when I got home, the boys were ready to hit the road. We traveled up the hill to the shopping strip mall. All of the stores participate in trick or treating starting at 4:00. It was so fun for the kids because they didn't have to wait until dark to get busy. We circuited the stores (including a stop at Starbucks for the parents) and then went to Andrea's house for pizza. Ryan and Luke hardly ate anything. They just wanted to get out to the action. It was a beautiful fall night so the streets were swarming with kids. Luke ran from door to door, even opened one poor man's door because he didn't get there fast enough. It was mortifying but the man was a good sport. Ryan was a bit more reserved and spent more time helping our little friend Natalie get to some of the doors. It was fun to watch a one year old toddle up to the door again. Ryan received many compliments on his painted face. He was pretty proud to be a Marine! Luke was complimented on his big muscles and even dropped down to do a push up or two to show how strong he was. At the end of the night we divided the candy in to a couple of BIG bowls. We have enough candy to last months!!!

Watch out...here they come!!

Today we were in a neighborhood Halloween parade. The boys were so excited to wear their costumes. They were also more than happy to collect Halloween candy early! It was a beautiful day here with the blue sky and changing leaves. It makes me wish I had just one more day off to enjoy being outside.

GO DUCKS!

The highlight of my day today was watching the Ducks beat USC. They really are fun to watch and give us Oregonians something to be excited about! And for you Christy...I love the Beavers, too!! Let's just call me a Deaver fan, or a Beack fan, or a Ducver fan??

Time for pumpkins

It's halfway through October already! We have been so busy. This weekend we were up to Washington for a couple of reasons. We stayed with Kiki and Scott which is always fun. We spent Saturday at PLU because my dad was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award. We were proud of him and glad to support him but It was also fun to reminisce about my days at PLU. It has changed a lot and just a tiny part of me thought it would be fun to go back and relive those days. I also had a chance to visit with Kristin Anderson, my college roommate. I hadn't seen her in 2 years so we tried to cram in a lot of talking in a few hours.

Friday, before we left for Washington, we spent a few hours at the pumpkin patch. Besides climbing hay stacks, holding baby chicks and riding the hay slide, we also took a hay ride. One of things I love to do in the fall is hit the farm for a good ol' fashioned day at the pumpkin patch. For those of you who know my previous partner, Andrea,...Ryan is sitting with her daughter, Natalie. Isn't she cute!!!

Mt. St. Helens trip

Wow..I almost forgot I had this page. Since school has started I hardly have time to sit down, let alone update my page! Last week I went to Mt. St. Helens with my 4th grade class. The weather was quite cloudy and damp which was a bummer. We were hoping that September might bring us more sun. Anyway, it was an incredible trip. It was fun to watch my students realize the massive power of Mother Nature. I went to visit Mt. St. Helens about 7 years ago with my mom. I had forgotten how incredible it was. This picture is from a trail above Johnston Ridge. Mt. St. Helens is to the left of the picture...you couldn't see it anyway. The valley below it was just as breathtaking.

New truck

I know...I know...Don't ask.
Just thought you'd want to see it.

Good Buddies

This morning the boys got up earlier than Matt and I did. They started playing out in the loft with their toys. It was beautiful. Matt and I dozed back to sleep for a few more blessed minutes while our sons bonded! It was so cute to listen to them play together. At one point I heard Ryan say, "That is a really nice house Lukie." I know every mother hopes that their children will be friends as well as siblings but I would be thrilled if my boys become as close as Karlynn, Jon and I are. Of course, not long after the nice comments from Ryan, they erupted in to a shouting match after Luke destroyed Ryan's house. My momentary motherly bliss had ended.

First Visit From the Tooth Fairy!

Ryan lost his first tooth on Monday. Daddy helped pull it out while they were on their trip so it surprised me to see a toothless grin when he got home. He was so excited to show everyone and to place the little tooth under his pillow. He is sure that the tooth fairy is his parents (what a skeptic!!) but didn't complain when there ws $2.00 under his pillow in the morning. I felt a slight twinge of sadness when I was holding the tooth in my hand last night. It's just another reminder that my boys are growing up. It seems like yesterday when that little tooth was popping up through his baby gums!

State Fair Fun

Every year, we go to the State Fair sometime during Labor Day weekend. It is one of the signals that school is about to begin because I always distract myself from my school jitters by going to check out the animals and eat some good, greasy fair food. This year I shared the fair fun with Luke since Matt and Ryan are out of town. Of course, Boppa and Grandma and Kiki came along for the ride. Luke loved watching the cows getted milked...I just felt for the poor, swollen things. Brought back way too many sore boob breastfeeding memories!!! After seeing the cows and the sow with her gaggle of piglets (Dad's favorite part). we headed to the buildings. Luke did not appreciate the quilts, cakes and decorated tables much. Nor did he have time for the commercial booths. He was a trooper through it all and loved his corndog. We finally hit the rides and it verified that Luke is indeed ready for Disneyland. The faster the ride, the more he liked it. He was even throwing both hands in the air...Another fun time and very sore feet!

They're In!!

On Saturday, Luke and I went with my parents to Scott and Kiki's house. It is a great house with lots of growing room for the two of them. Personally, I hope the growing starts soon....into the cute little yellow room that is amazingly already decorated for a sweet, baby powdered kind of thing. Anyway, we were assigned kitchen detail. Mom whipped out her bag of rags and Mr. Clean and I took the scissors and attacked the drawers and pantry with contact paper. I had a blast organizing all of the different items into sensible places. In no time, we had the kitchen and pantry looking good while Scott tackled box after box after box of living room, family room and bedroom items. A few highlights...Why does Karlynn have so many coats that she doesn't wear? Another interesting find was the roll of scotch tape that had been so delicately wrapped in packing paper...weird. Last but not least was the coffee pot that was packed, old grinds and all. Mom about hurled while I was fascinated with the science experiment going on in our midst. GROSS.

Back to School!

Well, since I haven't updated this in several days...you can tell that I am back to school! I love being back to the hub-bub of routine that school brings but I have also reflected on what a great summer I had. I love this picture of the boys. The carefree days of running through the ocean is what summer is about. I loved the extra time with family and being in the outdoors always seems to bring me a sense of peace. I have been dreaming at night about two things...1. My classroom being out of control while I am in my underwear and 2. my favorite places by the beach that I visited this summer. Amazingly enough, it will be summer again before I know it.

Flag Football

Ryan is really loving playing flag football. His last game will be this Saturday. His favorite thing to do is "rush". He is getting better at pulling the flags but definitely has the Swanson problem with speed. He had a entire cheering squad at the last game with grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin Laef and us. He did tend to look at the sidelines for approval as often as he could manage.

High School Musical!!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen...it is time. Highschool Musical 2 is premiering on Friday night at 8 p.m. on the Disney Channel. I will be cuddled up with my popcorn and Diet Coke to see if Sharpay can steal Troy away from Gabriella!! HEE HEE, I'm so excited!

PS- Jon & Jill--you know you'll be calling me after it's over because you are as giddy as I am!

Wedding weekend

This last weekend we enjoyed spending time with the family up North for Kurt and Brit's wedding. Highlights of the weekend included touring the new bookstore at PLU, dancing with Ryan and Luke who can boogy... and visiting with the cousins. I really feel old when I am around the younger ones. Marit (the youngest cousin) is turning 16 and will be a sophomore this year. Crazy to think she was only 4 at my wedding. Anyway, It was a sunny day on Saturday so we hung out by the pool and enjoyed being guests of the wedding...not the wedding party. Last year we were the ones running around getting hair done, pictures taken, etc. After brunch at Brit's parents house (an unbelievable house overlooking the water) we stopped to see the future residence of Scott and Karlynn. It is a great house with lots of potential. I already have the furniture placed! I think we may be moving them in next weekend.

Where is the Sun?????

Ok- I usually defend the climate of Oregon because I truly love it here but SERIOUSLY...I am sick of the clouds. I tolerate the clouds and rain during the year because summer time in Oregon is amazing. I want the sun! I'm ready to break out the sticks and drum and do a Native sun dance in the back yard. With my luck it will be 95 degrees the first 2 weeks of school.

Ggrrrrrrr!! (my frustration noted as an onomatopia?)

Weekend Happenings

This weekend we were on the go. Ryan had a flag football game. His team lost 22-6 but they had some great tackles??? I don't really know because I talked the whole time but I did manage to see Ryan "rush" the ball for a long way. It was just a few feet short of a touchdown. After the game we went to lunch with Kiki and Scott who had come to watch the game. It was a tasty lunch but for all of you who know and love me, let's just say that my IBS acted up! Not fun. Then we tooks naps...well not really we...more like they. I single-handedly did lawn maintenance for reasons I'll explain later. Anyway, when naps were over we headed to the baseball game. Luke cared more about the trains that went by. Ryan desperately wanted to catch a fly ball and tends to be like his mom. He stared at everyone around us and figured out what was going on with who. The big boys just got happy on $8 beer. Sorry mom, we did not keep stats. All Kiki and I know is that we lost 10-9 and that #33 had a cute booty.

Today we were rudely awoken by the phone (JON) and then headed to church. We're gearing up for VBS which starts tomorrow. I need to get my game plans ready...I see lots of duck, duck, goose in my future. This afternoon I am having a few of the SEARS friends over for dinner. Originally 8 were coming. I think 3 are actually coming. Not sure what happened...several can't drive?? So, the lawn and house work that I frantically whipped out yesterday was not as necessary as I thought. Oh well, at least I have time to blog today!! I only have 3 weekends left. YIKES.

Thinking of Mexico

So I started "Back to School" today by taking a 2 day class. It is only from 8:30-1:30 and very relaxed but it still got my head spinning about the next year. I knew it would. One of the people there today gave the analogy that summer can be like a weekend for teachers. June is Friday....July is Saturday...August is Sunday. Just like you wind up for school on Sunday afternoons..I'm starting to wind up this month for the coming year. I am not ready yet. I choose to think of it as I have 28 more days.

Anyway, as I sat in class today with my laptop, I peeked at my pictures from Mexico and sighed. So, I came home and made a daquiri!!

Back from Camping

Sunday, July 29th
Matt and I just returned from our one night camp out with the church group. We had a good time at the beach with some of the other young families yesterday. However, it started raining about 11:00 last night and didn't stop all night! I don't know if I slept because every few minutes I kept waking up to hear a downpouring of drops on the tent roof. I do love snuggling up in the tent though. It was cozy in our little nest of sleeping bags. Anyway, we were up at 7:30 and packed up and on the road by 8:30. It was kind of strange being home with the laundry going by 10:30. The boys loved camping and we really need to do more of it...how about the Bend area next time?