ODA conference

We'll we didn't actually go to the ODA conference, but Jeremy did. Me and the kids just played in Portland all weekend. We went to OMSI and to the zoo and ate at lots of fun places. Since this is kind of a perk trip for Jeremy's staff we stayed at the Embassy Suites and were spoiled. I had a made to order, cooked before my eyes omelet every morning for breakfast. The kids loved the waterfall in the lobby. Jaden said, "Does dad stay places like this every time he travels? Not Fair!" I'm sure Jeremy wishes all his accommodations were this nice. The highlight of my trip was seeing my friend Rachel. We have been friends since we were 12. We went to The Cheesecake Factory, it was great to catch up since we only see each other about once a year.

Home school Month 1

We have officially been home schooling Jaden for one month! We love it. We are having so much fun and I am loving getting to spend so much time with him, plus I like knowing about everything he is learning. I have learned a lot too, so hopefully this will keep my brain from getting rusty. Her are some photos from our first month. It has really been a lot easier then I expected. It could be because in Math we are doing a lot of review for him because I wasn't exactally sure where he ended in school, but oh well. History is our favorite subject I think. We have learned about Alexander the Great, and now we are learning about the Romans.

Pharo's lighthouse in Alexandria, one of the 7 wonders of the world. I love this project because I didn't have all the supplies to finish it so I told him to just do the best he could. I thought he would just jerry rigg it, but he went around the house and collected supplies and did a great job finishing it on his own. I was impressed with his ingenuity.

January picks and March updates!

I am so far behind on this thing. I am so sorry to those of you check frequently and find nothing new here. I just have lacked the motivation to put pictures from my camera on to the computer. As you probably know we have been working on remodeling our kitchen. We have gotten a lot done. The new cabinets are in, the counters, sink, and dishwasher are all in. We finished the floor and on Mon my new stove got installed so we are up and running now. We still need to do things like change the lighting and change the trim around the windows to match the new cabinets but I am just happy we aren't eating out anymore ( I love eating out, but every meal was ridiculous).

3-D Ella watching Coraline

Scout snowcapades was a blast.

Jaden and Kyla both loved the sledding and the friends.

Jaden breaking a board before he got his brown belt in January. I don't know if I posted about it before.

Suprise!! (Delayed considering this event took place a month and a half ago)

This is my father in laws reaction to his 60th birthday surprise. My sister in law, Jennifer, flew in from Indiana. It was killing the Grand kids to wait for him. I think he spent 10 min outside talking on the phone before he came in. I was proud of the kids though, they kept quite when it counted.

Jennifer with her little brother.

Kristen waiting for family pictures
Cousins!!!

Grandpa and Rachel

We started with Grandpa and we'll end with Grandpa. I know he'll love this picture.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

I just got back from the pediatrician and it is official, Ella has Asthma. Yeah! This is so great. I am just going to turn one room of our house into a giant nebulizer tent and drug them all at once. I am so excited.

Not so Unique

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 9 people with my name in the U.S.A. http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Like Mother Like Daughter!

Today I had a moment! I had just finished teaching YM/YW and had ran to the bathroom to wipe the sweat from my forehead before I ran to the primary room to help Ella with her first ever primary talk. I had a handful of toilet paper in my hand and was quickly wiping the drops off my face when I saw it. It wasn't me in the mirror, it was my mother. It was like I was standing to the side watching my mom in the mirror. I couldn't believe it. It was exactly the same even down to the handful of toilet paper in my hand. Wow! It's amazing what birthdays make you think about. Luckily I wasn't upset. If I have to look like someone then I am definitely glad it is my mother. She is an amazing beautiful women. Maybe someday I can even be as wonderful as her. Love you Mom!