Knitting Lessons

We are learning to knit! Most of Emily's friends have learned because one of the elementary teachers has taught some of her students how. Emily never had the chance to learn and was excited when I told her I was going to get her yarn and knitting needles for her birthday.

I talked to Mom and asked if she would be willing to come and work on knitting with us after school a couple of days during the week. She agreed so part of Emily's birthday present was knitting lessons. So far we have had a couple of sessions and we seem to be getting the basics down. Except for me. I always seem to end up with some funny loop hanging off my rows of stitches. When I have mastered it I am going to try and make something. Emily wants to make a scarf for her Daddy. I think that has something to do with the Little House on the Prairie episode we saw where Laura knitted a scarf for Pa. The only problem is the yarn Emily is using right now is mint green. I told her Daddy probably wouldn't wear a scarf that color.

Cannon Beach Field Trip

Alaina's class went to Cannon Beach for their field trip this year. We went last Thursday with a weather forecast and clouds that looked like rain. I am pleased to report we didn't get a drop of rain the whole time we were there!
Alaina got to hold a hermit crab. It felt funny on her hands.
The volunteer biologists pointed out some birds nesting on Haystack Rock. We even saw a puffin up there.
I went along as a chaperon and Ryan was the bus driver for the trip so we had a nice little getaway with our middle daughter to the beach.

Hard Worker

Rylan has his own shovel and he really uses it! He'll spend hours outside digging and moving dirt around.
It's a good thing we have a big yard because he would have a smaller one all dug up by now.

Happy 9th Emily!

Our oldest girl is 9! Can you believe it?
She celebrated with a slumber party with a few friends.
I think she rather enjoyed her day in the spotlight.

And now we shall see what adventures her 10th year will bring . . .

Happy Birthday Emily! We love you so much.

Cousins, Great Grandma and Dad's 65th Birthday

We celebrated Dad's 65th birthday on Easter Sunday and all of the family was able to be there. Neil, Raquel, and Julia flew up from Texas and John, Amy, Grace and James drove down Sunday afternoon. Grandma hopped on the train and came down.
James was happy to hang out with family!
Julia entertained everyone with her sweet smile and antics.
Dad was able to blow out all 65 candles. OK, I didn't really put 65 on the cake. I just made the shape of a 6 and a 5. Thought I better give him a break.
Julia saying "HI!" . . .
Ahhh, ain't that sweet?

Easter 2010

Clubhouse Construction - Stage 1

One of our goals for Mid-Winter break was to build a clubhouse for the kids. Its a project we have talked about for a long time. We had some nice weather, so we got to it.
These pictures show the kids painting the floor. We do have some walls up now and part of the roof. I will update with more pictures as the construction continues.