A Special Week

Last week we were blessed to spend time with Erik, Kaden and Natalie.  It's a long drive to Sutherlin from Everett, so we were excited to show them around and hang out!

It was a hot day so we waited until after dinner to take a walk.

The fort the kids made.

The porch swing is a favorite photo location even with a squirming dog.

Natalie decided to try tennis with Griffin.  That lasted about 15 minutes.



Cooling off in the Cooper Creek Reservoir

Erik with his sunscreened head, and Kaden sporting a trendy life jacket.

A very large bear at Wildlife Safari

A cheetah enjoying the cooler day.

We picnicked at Wildlife Safari.

One of the goats giving Griffin a piece of his mind.

A cute little calf, Natalie.

Kaden and Griffin on the stone turtle

Natalie and Faith striking their poses

Griffin watching a very large goldfish

Many opportunities to pose for silly pictures

Many little birds who would land on feed sticks.

So many birds and no one got pooped on!

Thanks for coming!

Transformation Begins

I wish I had taken a picture of my classroom before it was painted, but I'm not sure a photo would have captured just how unappealing that shade of green was for a classroom color.
It is now painted a nice, bland off-white.  This is just fine with me since I have bulletin boards and other things to cover the walls.  These pictures were taken on the 13th.  I'll post more pictures when the transformation is as complete as it will probably get.  :-)

This picture shows my desk area and the nice large windows.  The windows look out to a park.  I still have a couple tables up front that I haven't figured out what to do with them.  I'm waiting to find out my numbers.   The white appliance up on the wall next to the windows is the heater/air conditioner.  A heat pump was installed recently for two classrooms.  Already I've been so grateful for the cool air blowing into my room!

This picture is looking at the back of the classroom.  I'm redoing the bulletin boards.  There will be four student computers along the back of the room.

This view shows the door to the hallway, the cupboards, counter, sink, etc...  (Yes, they are orange.)  Right now there are a ton of texts on the counter, which I'm hoping to be moving those soon.  You can also see the student computers waiting on the counter to be hooked up.  That's on my to do list.

Summer Vacation 2013 Part Two

BBQ at the Johnsons where the grill decided to catch fire

Brian providing the evening entertainment

Approaching the Skagit River bridge for the first time since its collapse

With sweaty palms we crossed the bridge.

Griffin and Grandpa working through the weeds to get to delicious raspberries at my mom and dad's new house

The capstone of the original Burlington Free Methodist Church.  The building no longer houses a Free Methodist congregation.

Griffin enjoying his hot chocolate with extra whip cream at Farmhouse Inn.  It's been the Farmhouse Restaurant for many years, but I still choose to call it by the original name.

Ah the Baby Fix!

Welcome Baby Annalyse!

Faith and Natalie playing Tiddily Winks

Griffin and Kaden playing Legos

Erik, the proud papa, helping her eat

Proud cousin holding a treasure

Griffin didn't want to hold her, but he sure thinks she's pretty

A little light cleaning with Princess Lilah

Another sweetie, Eden

Lilah looks so natural with her pink guitar

A day at Fort Casey on the beach

Griffin checking out a driftwood fort

Girl cousin bonding

Faith and our other "daughter", Delaney

Niece Mikayla with Faith at Family Camp

As I went through these pictures I've realized there were so many more I could have and should have taken.  I have a few more on a memory card, but right now it's not wanting to be recognized on my computer.

We had a great time visiting family and friends.  If I didn't get a picture of you it's because I was having such a great time I didn't think to use the camera.  A lot of these pictures are from Vaughn's phone.

Summer Vacation 2013 Part One

Three generations of Stehr men getting their hair cut.

Ken, the barber, cut Vaughn's hair when he was a kid and still cuts Bob's.

Griffin sitting still for a much needed haircut.

A large salmon at the Ballard Fish Ladder

Posing at the Ballard Locks

Doing the tourist thing

Watching the fish jump

Posing at the octopus sculpture

Walking to Seaview Park

Faith and Maclain hanging out

Griffin adding drama to the slide

Maclain enjoying the bungi-trampoline at Family Fun Center in Edmonds.

Faith taking her turn.  Griffin opted out of this one.

Bumper boats are more fun on warm, sunny days!

Griffin aiming at his sister in Laser Tag.

Klaus loved finding a patch of sun in Bob and Lois' living room.