Summer fun!

So summer comes, and I completely fall apart! Sorry for not updating this a long time ago. We have all had so much fun already this summer. It started out with 18 hours of driving all the way to Vista, California to visit some of our favorite peole and see some of our favorite places. Thank you Dan and Lynn for welcoming us into your beautiful home. As Atticus said, "you have the perfect life...a cat, a dog, and a pool!

We also enjoyed seeing Shamu at Sea word...

and building some cool lego cars at legoland (thank you Aunt Lynn for the suggestion!)

Waiting for the Shamu show!

(The DUNE BUGGY)
James... you are the most talked about cousin we have! Thank you for everything this summer. We look forward to the next time we are all together. The boys adore you ;)

Next it was off to the lake (Wallowa Lake) for some fun in the sun, fireworks, and a ranch wedding! We spent 8 days in Allison's lake home! It was absolute bliss. The firework show was one of the best I have ever seen. The full moon was unbelievable as it rose over Mt. Howard...


this picture doesn't do it justice!

Dan was so cool to take us all out on the boat to waterski several times over the week...

I liked this pic...I am getting better (at photography that is)

what a stud-he later got up on only one ski!

Cheese ball!

We hiked to 'Slick Rock'...

We ended the week with beautiful ranch wedding. Ally (cousin) married Daniel in a meadow under Mt. Joseph overlooking the valley. What a perfect place. It was a bit to walk in heels, but wow what a party. It all was amazing and fun!

That pretty much catches us up. Now we are home doing swim lessons, soccer camp, and many other park tours! I hope all of you are enjoying your summer!

They call it sunshine!

It's back!  The sunshine made it back from the dark and wet place.  What a weekend here in Portland.  Today is the second 80+ day in a row, with a chance of 5 more 70+ days! Woo Hoo!

The skinny, pale brothers are enjoying a little vitamin D!

Both boys thought it was cold..."BRR"  

Tennyson enjoyed it a little longer!  

Today is one of those days I sit and think about all the things I am so grateful for.  My family first and foremost.  My children surprise me every day with their intelligence, humor and love.  I admire both boys so much for all the things they have taught me.  

My Atticus who is a wise old soul teaches me about patience and knowlege.  He takes time to stop and smell the roses.  I appreciate that about him so much.  He makes me a better mom because of his inquiry.  The other day riding in the car, he got so excited in the back seat and said "Mom, look I have nature on my arm", pointing to a tiny little moth perched on his wrist.  He is truly the only 7 year old I know who prefers to get up before the sun each day and watch the discovery channel.  He is my little scientist.

Atticus and I at his first grade "Mother's Day Tea"

Then there is my little Tennyson.  He is so full of energy and tenacity.  He wakes up in the morning bright blue-eyed and very bushy tailed.  He greets me with a "good moning momma" missing the "rr" sound.  I can't wait to look into his bright blue eyes and ask him how he slept.  He wakes up every day ready to take on what ever comes his way.  No matter how many times he falls down, he always gets back up and puts a smile on his face.  His knees may be completely black and blue, but it does not slow him down the slightest.  He makes me stronger!  I am so blessed to have two beautiful and completely different boys!  

Then there is my sister, Amanda.  I love her so much!  She is so amazingly smart, beautiful and strong.  I never imagined having such a wonderful relationship with her.   She teaches me to stay positive and roll with the punches.  I am so lucky to live only 1.6 miles from her.  It is literally running distance away!  

Today is a day when I think about all the gifts in my life.  My family (both here and in memory), friends, and the sunshine.  Thank you to all of you who have helped shape my life!  I am truly grateful!  Have a great week everyone!

Monique

Lego fun

Building lego structures is now in our top 5 favorite things to do. Last Sunday the boys decided to sort and seperate all the thousands of legos we own. We have 3 huge boxes, so you can imagine the task was quite large.

There were boxes for the red ones, orange ones, blue, etc. There was even a specialty piece box for all the wheels, and fancy connector pieces.

Then they decided on what they would build. You probably guessed it knowing Atticus, but they built a crabbing boat equipped with a mobile crane, multiple crab pots and even holding tanks in the ship's hull. He really thought of everything. Good thing Matt enjoys legos. I would have lasted a total of 20 minutes.

Pretty Proud

T was in charge of the crane!

They call her the "Northwestern II"

Very proud Captain and Deck Boss (can you guess who is who?)

Education Disaster is My Misfortune

As you know, school districts all over the nation, particularly in Oregon, are facing a significant loss of state funding.  With the ongoing decline of state revenues, K-12 school districts are facing even greater reductions than predicted.  I knew that the situation was doom and gloom, but the eternal positivity I had, led me to think I would be spared.  I was very wrong.  Yesterday I received notice that I would be laid off after this school year.  This of course is devastating to me as I feel I have found my purpose and passion.  We also made the very personal decision to enroll Atticus in school in Canby as we could have only assumed I would spend many years teaching at Knight Elementary in Canby.  

Although these are going to be difficult days, and this layoff is extremely frightening and worrisome, I know that there is hope.  There is a slight chance I will be recalled.  If not I know that when the economy is back on it's feet, there will be a position for me somewhere.  So for now we will take each day as it comes.  I appreciate all the support and well wishes!  Knowing that I have friends and family like you, makes this horrible situation bearable!

I am looking forward to a summer with the family.  It will be great to be home with the boys.  If I don't have a teaching job by August, then I will substitute next year hoping that I will be able to supplement the income I will be missing.  I hope that perhaps we will get to see each and everyone of you this summer with all the festivities we have planned (wedding, reunion, vacation)!  See you then!

Love, Monique

These are some pretty fantastic first graders!

Spring is here!

Found One!

Had to add these. I told them to look up so I could see their faces and the little ones both looked up:) How funny!

Some were harder than others...

Can't fool me...

"Can I pick it up"

Spring is officially here now that Easter has come and gone. Thank you so much to my wonderful sister Amanda for once again providing a perfect holiday feast. The bunny cake was as yummy as it was pretty to look at. The boys had so much fun hunting for eggs and all the regular festivities that have become tradition. It was so great seeing Noah get into the hunt this year. Those giant blue eyes are to die for! It is so fun to watch the boys get to play and do things together as cousins. That is completely wierd to say. We (the three of us) have always been the cousins. Next year we will have another cousin, Hannah or Wyatt? Happy Easter...Happy Spring!

Meeting the newest Japanese, French, Canadian ADORABLE member of our family

Sophia Yuki born January 7, 2009

We were so excited to have been surprised by Stephane and Naoko this weekend and their new bundle of joy. Sophia Yuki is just over 3 months old and incredibly beautiful. She has big dark beautiful eyes and inquisitively expressive eyebrows. She is a perfect blend of her beautiful Japanese mother and incredibly intelligent French Canadian father! We were sad to learn that they will be going back to Ottawa in June. It is incredibly important to live somewhere we feel safe and really enjoy so it easy to understand! Maybe we can get to Ottawa now! We will miss you all when you go! Yeah for Skype.

"Going on a bear hunt"

Elephant Car Wash

Going on a camel ride?

For spring break this year we decided to go somewhere instead of doing the local thing. It has been a while since we have taken a little family trip so it was about time. We decided to go down to Roseburg Oregon where there is a little sanctuary called Wildlife Safari which turned out to be quite amazing. As we entered the main gate I kept thinking I hope this is worth it! It definitely was. We got to encounter many different animals that I have never seen in a natural (Oregon) habitat without bars and fences. The White rhino was right on the road and was so completely amazing. I had never seen one before! Wow. The giraffe was just roaming free and actually passed our car with in arms reach of Atticus! The tiger was amazing. I never have looked into the eyes of the awesome cat. Beautiful is all I can say!

We all had a great time and quickly remembered how great it is to be together doing something we all enjoy (especially the zoologist of the group)!