School's Out 2!

Auntie Mary Lou came through and shared with me her pictures from yesterday.  Therefore, all photo credits on this portion of the blog go to her.

I should mention that Siena and I went to see Tia Mandi on Saturday to get our hair done.  I got a trim, she got some pink highlights.  Here she is rocking them in the Johnson's pool!

Mason was adamant that he didn't want to swim...until Daddy told him that he wouldn't be going in making Mason practice.  I'm not sure the kids were out of the pool more than 5 minutes the whole 4 hours we were there.

There was quite the dessert spread.  My cousin Amanda made the delicious Oreo cake pops with the graduation caps on top.

More spread - soooo good.

Mom and Dad!  Happy Father's day Dad!

Boys chillin' - Jay B, Dad, and Luis.

Woah - Siena actually left the pool for a couple of minutes!  She's sitting here with Jay B and Chandra's little girl Rory.

My Mason boy!

Heidi and I.

And they're back in the pool!  At some point in the day, this floatie got a giant hole in the middle of it.  We may be owing Auntie Jo a couple new ones next time we come over to use their pool.

The kids wore their "Team Travis" shirts for one last time.  Travis is too humble to tell anyone, but I saw on Oregonlive today that he was the Pac Conference pitcher of the year and first team all state for baseball.  Oh, and a valedictorian.  Did I mention he's a nice guy too?  We're definitely proud of my little cousin.

Travis and his girlfriend Megan.

Mason and a moment of bravery standing on the end of the diving board.  No, he didn't jump in.

The 2 antisocial ones sport their shirts...

It was a really fun day.

School's Out

Siena invited me to attend her end of school year party on Wednesday (well, okay, all parents were invited). Luckily I was able to actually attend a school event for once.  Usually they all fall during quarter end periods.  First, I got to have a picnic lunch with my girl and her class.

Then the kids got to go inside and play games.  Siena played checkers with her friend Sammy.

After that, the kids got to break their pinata's.  Each table made their own pinata and stuffed them with candy.

Siena gave it a few good whacks.

Siena and her friends...with candy filled pockets.

Siena and her special teacher Miss Tina.  Tina gave each of the kids a little certificate.

It was a sunny day on Friday and I happened to have my camera with me so I thought I'd share my daily view on my drive home.  Well, daily view on sunny days at least.  Sometimes living in Oregon isn't so bad.

So I took a ton of pictures today at my cousin Travis' graduation party.  Unfortunately, I screwed up big time and accidentally deleted all of them!  Now I'm totally depressed.  I know my aunt Mary Lou also took a lot of pictures today so I'll see if she can share a few with me.  If so, I'll post later.

Reopening, Retiring, and Recital

I know a couple weeks have passed since the last post, but we haven't done much the last couple of weekends so you haven't missed much.  Last weekend was the opening ceremony of the Trolley Trail in our neighborhood (despite the fact that we've been enjoying the trail for a year now).  The Trolley Trail is a walkway/bike path through our neighborhood on what used to be the old trolley line from Portland to Oregon City to Lake Oswego.  Mason's friend Aiden was spending the day with us that Saturday so Luis took Mason and Aiden to the ceremony while Siena and I were at dance class.

The boys really look to be enjoying the old trolley, especially with their vintage Capri Sun's.

This is along the Trolley Trail (trail head is between the 2 large stones behind Aiden).  The PTA (of which Luis is the treasurer) donated funds toward the blocks that the boys are standing in front which are to be a permanent fixture along the trail.  This is actually a nice, paved, flat trail that is perfect for jogging, walking, and bike riding.

Yesterday we went to the retirement party of my kindergarten teacher Mary Bell.  Most people aren't still in touch with their kindergarten teachers.  However, since Mrs. Bell happens to be the mother of my best friend Sarah, I see my kindergarten teacher fairly regularly.  Anyway, after 42 years of teachers, Mrs. Bell is finally ready to hang up the chalk.

Siena at the party enjoying a strawberry.

I wasn't planning to speak at this event.  They invited people up though and after a nudge or two from Luis, I thought it might not hurt if one of her former students said something.

I don't have many memories from kindergarten, but I do recall getting a sliver one day at recess and Mrs. Bell expertly taking it out.

Fast forward to high school, where at the beginning of our junior year at Tualatin, Sarah and I got to be friends.  Later that spring, she invited me to her house for a sleep over.  I saw her mom, thought she looked a little familiar, but didn't really think much of it.  Two weeks later, it hit me!  Mrs. Bell...teacher...wait!  Sarah's mom is my kindergarten teacher!  She didn't remember me either but with 30 kids a year for as many years as she's taught, I didn't expect her to.

I went on many family trips with the Bells over the years, usually over the 4th of July down to Mary's family's cabin.  On one such trip, I got a sliver in my foot.  And of course, who helped me to get it out but Mrs. Bell!

I'm not normally fond of getting up and speaking in front of people, but Ma Bell is pretty special so it was worth it.

Today was Siena's dance recital was today.  She did amazing!  This is her 5th recital and it shows - she's looking like a little pro.  Below are some shots I took at the dress rehearsal.  Live footage of her 2 performances are below as well.

First position.

Shakin' it.

Go Nannies!

Drama shot.

This is "Love Song". Siena is the 4th dancer from the left.
 This is "Never Grow Up". Siena is again the 4th dancer from the left in the back row (to start).