Vacation in Three Acts

Act one. Washington state to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We met Pete in Idaho, where he was
working, to pick him up. This trip began with wiener dog. He is a huge inflatable dog that was hanging out in front of the mall in Twin Falls. For obvious reasons the kids dubbed him wiener dog and he was perhaps the most talked about part of the trip.
Grandmas house is a world of its own. There is just so much for the kids to do! Although we didn't actually go to the game farm park, we did drive over and feed the donkeys. Hans loved this, especially since he found out they are called asses and now refers to his as his donkey. Luckily, my mom spends a lot of time around there so she was able to tell us who to avoid. Donkey wise, that is.

Just the backyard provides endless opportunities. There are deer and coyote. If you ask Hans he will also tell you there is grizzlies.

There are ponds full of frogs. Although I wouldn't recommend touching them because my mom frowns on that.
We went to Salt Creek, which I absolutely love. Olive chose to stay behind with Pete on this day. Pete wasn't really into it and Olive cannot stand to be away from her Dad if he is home. Nonetheless, We had a great day. The kids found a billion crabs and shells. The plankton was exciting to Hans.
Siobhan did a little reflecting. Probably something along the lines of why she was saddled with such a battle ax of a mother. Or maybe she could feel the Twilight presence, being so close to Forks and all.
We stopped at Crescent lake on the way home and Hans decided he was officially too old to wade in his underwear. I tried to argue that they were the same underwear he has had since he was two so technically he was swimming like he was two, but no dice.
Crab season started the day before I left and I was really hoping to go but I was glad I didn't. John went and said it was not worth the outing. He should be grateful I am not posting the other photo I took right after this.
It was nice to sit around the fire outside. I wish Pete would be willing to cut a hole in our house so I could have an outdoor fireplace. I also wish I was as pampered as Malachi.
One of my favorite things about Sequim is all the Eagles. They are amazing. I was so happy that after a few drive bys I finally got a glimpse of the babies in the nest! I cannot believe how big they get before they start to fly.
I was in Washington for two weeks. At the end of the first Pete took us to stay at the Embassy Suites. We made really good use of the managers reception where I introduced my mom to Gin Daises, quite possibly the best drink ever. We swam, Pete wore his paper, business man swim trunks, and hung out in the room. The next day Pete had to head back to Salt Lake and my mom and I drove around Seattle. We stopped in Chinatown, to go to Uwajimaya, which I have mentioned before. As has happened previously, there was a huge celebration going on. we spent at least an hour watching dancing and some sort of ceremony. The Kung Fu club was celebrating a 100 years there and it was so entertaining. They hung dollars and cabbage of rope from the top of the building and the Dragons danced and ate them. They were fed by darling little girls and older men in suits who were not as darling.
The amount of firecrackers was INSANE. No, I mean it. Crazy.
Then it was a week of no Pete and Sculley partying. The Williams and Alex showed up and it was so great! The kids were all measured and there was the required dance party. Once again, I would like to take note that I save some really risque Grandma dancing photos for her and avoided the public embarrassment. Also, I think Siobhan is sagging in this picture.

Olive and Grandpa created a special new bond. I am hoping (hint, hint) that he will come visit her soon. The kids all enjoyed each other and got along really well. I had a great time with my sisters and Sculley- bones. Mostly, I was just happy to be with my Mom.

So, that about sums up Washington. Somewhere in there Pete and I took a side trip to San Fransisco. That will have to wait for Act Two. For now, I will leave you with a glimpse of how our visit left the Sculleys feeling.........................

Hey.

Well, it looks as if I took the summer away from blogging. School has started and a fresh new start for all. Olive has started Kindergarten at a new school for both her and Hans. She is very happy after a week of missing me. She is in a class with our neighbor Leo and I am so grateful for that, they keep each other brave. Hans is in second grade and doing really well. He has made a lot of new friends and often comes home with treats that girls have given him at lunch.
Oscar is at junior high this year. I don't think there will ever be a time where I am not obsessing how Oscar is fitting in at school. He is smart and fun and likable. He just likes to be on his own and for some reason I have a problem with that. This is the first year that he has gotten out of the car for school and refused to kiss me goodbye or say I love you. This makes me sad, but I guess that I am just not as cool as I thought.

Siobhan started School for the Performing Arts this year. She is taking modern dance, ballet and jazz tap. There is a hell of a lot of dancing going on. She is Siobhan. That is just the best way to sum up Siobhans school year so far. We love her.
We ended summer with a great dane/lab named Jake...........................................
.......................and then downsized to Nibbler. I love him.
The kids had an awesome summer on the Boulevard. There was a little nervousness, not just on my part, that last summers awesomeness could not be matched and not only was it matched, it was ever more awesome. We extended the kids fun over to the adults side as well. There was a whole lot of wine and good food this summer. It is cool to have your best friends live right next to you. Another thing I am extremely proud of is our garden. We turned this....

.... into this. We have had well over a dozen pumpkins. Hundreds of tomatoes and peppers. Lots of squash and peas and I even have bell peppers coming in. Oh, and corn and carrots. It has been great.
So, that is a taste of what we have been up to. I intend to post this week about our extensive summer travels and upcoming plans. I am curious to see if anyone even bothers stopping by here anymore. If so... hi again.

Promotion

Today was the last day for elementary school. An interesting year for me. Hans had a really crazy class. He has made really great friends and has really, really loved his teacher. He also lost his best friend, who was murdered by his father a week before Christmas and dealt with some really tough personalities. I broke up more than a few fights after school, some of them from boys in Hans' class. Knock down, drag out fights! He has learned a lot this year. Not academically, in that area he they were taught mostly things he knew already. But he has learned a great deal of empathy and that not all people lead the same kind of charmed life he does. I have also learned a lot from his classmates. I volunteered every week in the classroom and am really going to miss some of these kids. It is amazing what they will tell you if you take 5 minutes to listen. The boy who was a "lost cause"? He played with me for an hour at the children's museum. He even let me win a couple of our games. I know because he told me. Some of them just want hugs from you. I am looking forward to Hans learning a great deal at his new school but I am sad that I won't see some of these kids on a regular basis anymore. On an upbeat note, Hans did really well and is now a 2nd grader!
Oscar had his "promotion ceremony" today. He looked extremely handsome and grownup. I won't tell him this but I had a good little cry over how adult he has become.

Oscar had a really good class this year. He was amongst like minded kids who were not embarrassed for being smart or having an odd sense of humor. He has really come out of his shell and has become so confident and sure of himself. He worked really hard, at difficult subjects and learned a lot. His teacher was wonderful and really pushed them. Not into performing the problems on the papers, but into developing an analytical mind and expanding their way of seeing things.

I really just couldn't be more proud. He is such good kid. Next year he will be a middle schooler ! He has chosen a school outside our boundary and I am going to let him go there. Then he can be with his friends. Also, I think the girl he likes will be there. Don't tell him I told you.
He helps at home and loves his brother and sisters. He is mostly nice to me, even though I embarrass him to no end. I just love my boys (and girls!) I am looking forward to an awesome summer with them. I am stoked school is out!

A Day with the O's

This week has been a blur! School activities galore! Monday night was a school concert for Hans and Oscar. I was so happy that the room was packed, it is the first time I have seen the school have such a huge parent turnout. Yesterday Han' field trip was cancelled due to snow. That's right, snow.... in May. Pete left yesterday also for a few days, we'll catch up to him in Idaho tomorrow. When Pete is gone there is one thing that you can count on in our house. Pizza. It is even better when you share it with the neighborhood gang.
Today was a field trip for Oscars class. they went up to Big Cottonwood Canyon to hunt for fossils. Oscar has a great class. The only problem was that Oscar told me that I would be driving them and picking them up, not staying for the day. I was prepared to anyway but then realized I am way behind on packing for Yellowstone tomorrow so I could come back and pack up before I picked them up. Well, that was some misinformation. I was needed and I was committed. I am more than happy that I was able to spend the day with Oscar, I just wish I had planned for a day gone. You know, a lunch, maybe breakfast before I left, maybe some different shoes for hiking.
I also had Olive with me. She was a hit! I cannot tell you how nice these 6th graders were to her. Even the boys! They looked out for her, admired all of her finds and listened and let her eat lunch with them. Olive is completely disappointed that one of the girls, ( Oscars rumored girlfriend) will not be in school with her next year. Olive just loved her. Smart girl, you always kiss up to the siblings.
I was on my best behavior. It could not have been a more prime teasing situation. Two of the three girls in my car are in heavy conversation, rotation in this house. Oscars best buddy was also in our car. He sat next to Olive and helped her with her seat belt and approved of all her song choices. Johnny Cash was the music of choice this trip. Still, I refrained from singing,talking about kissing or playing music that Oscar finds embarrassing.
It was a really great day. I found tons of crystals and some malachite. I even impressed the teacher with my finds. It is a little intimidating hanging with the gifted class. Now, I have to do some cleaning and cooking before heading to Siobhans final band performance of the year. Then back home to prepare for tomorrows trip to Yellowstone!

End of Year Music Performances

Dinosaur

We are back from our trip! We had a really nice time, despite some rain. Vernal has some great things to see but quite possibly the worst DI that I have ever been to. We went to the Field House Museum and it was really great! I had no idea how interested Olive was in dinosaurs but when Pete suggested an ABC name the dinosaur game as a distraction on the road she came up with A through E all on her own!
These boots prompted Olive to proclaim, "I wish I was an Indian!" and Siobhan asked for them for Christmas.


Hans brought a notebook and sketched all the things he found interesting. I liked this because it was unprompted and he actually kept the focus throughout the entire day.
We went into Dinosaur National Monument. The quarry was closed but we really enjoyed the petroglyphs. Hans sketched a ton of these and was fascinated with how alien they looked. This prompted a quick poll on who likes and dislikes Alf. Hans is definitely anti-Alf, due to his penchant for eating cats.
This was a clear winner among favorite petroglyphs and I don't think I need to remind you we have a 12 year old boy.

We went to visit Josie Morris' cabin in Dinosaur. I have a real love for old time cowboys and pioneers. She is one of my favorites. Her story is great, you should check out the link, it is worth it.

I also need to mention that I caught a fish. Not just a fish, but the largest fish anyone in our little family has caught. No help. The reward? I got to have moose hands in my trophy picture. LAME.


We stayed at the KOA Kabin and I will again proclaim my love for them. Olive was all about the top bunk and I was all about the marshmallows. Here I am doing some whittling.....
........which is a apparently a huge turn on for Pete. (this picture was added purely for Siobhans discomfort)


All in all a pretty good start to our vacation season. Next up, Yellowstone in 2 weeks!

Time to make the donuts.

Hi. I am going to forgo the excuses and reasons for why I have not blogged for awhile and just jump back into it. Things are good. How about you? We have been busy and I would like to take you on a trip down the memory lane of the past two months. Let's begin.....

We finished out March with a trip to Las Vegas and Disneyland. We participated in the Give a Day, Get a Day program and it was a huge success. This trip worked well for a number of reasons. First off was the idea of staying over in Las Vegas. Pete LOVES Las Vegas. Me? Not so much. Second, was the addition of my mom on this trip. We stayed an extra night on our way to Anaheim and met up with my Uncle Bo. My mom and uncle are born the same year. My mom in January and my uncle in December. He and my aunt Teresa are fun and we had a great time with them. Pete especially. The first night we were there he went out with them and made me lots of Disneyland money.

The kids enjoyed Circus Circus and checking out all the casinos. Oscar spent most of the time diverting his attention from all the half naked ladies. Las Vegas does not make a great family vacation for a 12 year old boy. Before Pete protests that fact let me add that the addition of parents is what makes it not cool.


The kids got along surprisingly well on this trip and this may be one of my favorite photos.

Disneyland was, of course, fun as always. I, along with millions of others, just love, love, love it.

The kids had a great day and even though Pete and Olive went back around 10 or 11, Hans and the rest of the crew closed it down.

Hans loved everything and we went at such a great time, hardly any lines at all. I remember the first year that Star Tours was opened we waited hours to get on and this trip Hans went on 3 times!

Siobhan and I were able to go on Space Mountain, which we missed last time.
Olive was the perfect age for the big D. She was in love with Toon Town and I have never seen her more excited for anything that meeting Minnie Mouse.





So, overall a wonderful trip. Pete won us more money on the way home and We were so happy to be with Grandma. Then we got to come back to the best neighborhood in the world. I really am a broken record on this subject. We have made great friends in our neighbors. Our kids love each other and it is just fun all around. Quite a few weekends turn into a party on the porch and the kids just play and play while the adults drink wine and have a ball.
Last month we renewed our zoo membership and upgraded to family plus because it kills our kids to leave their friends back on the boulevard. Luckily our neighbor Michael brought his sweet baby Phoebe and Olives favorite guy Leo and Pete and I brought Hans' BFF Davin and his brother Brendin.
So, let's see, what else? Due to a fruitless search for a decent bagel here, I have resorted to making my own. This is now a full blown obsession and I fully intend to open a bagel shop someday.
Hans (sometimes) wears glasses now, furthering his ability to look exactly like his dad.
Siobhan is now a cadet corporal in ROTC and received a citizenship award a few weeks back.
She is also dabbling around on the sewing machine I bought her for Christmas, which thrills me to no end.
And Olive has pigtails. Big news around here.

So, that should catch us up to current. I look forward to updating you with this summers activities! This weekend will take us to Vernal, where we will camp. Next week is a plethora of school activities. End of the month will be 4 days in Yellowstone. June is half the month with Grandma in Washington! July is the biggie. Pete and I will be gone 6 days on our own! We are lucky that we have such a great brother and sister in law that will come and stay at our house with Hans and Olive. Pete and I are going to New Orleans and I am hoping that it is all I have imagined. I have wanted to go there since I was little and my aunt promised to take me when I was 21. Well, when I turned 21, I was married and the was a deal breaker. Boo. And yes, I usually imagine it as being not unlike the French Quarter at Disneyland.