What a Wonderful World

I hear babies cryin' , I watch them grow
They'll learn much more, then I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world!
-Louis Armstrong

Ayla 6 1/2 months, Ryder 10 months

First Family Trip

We headed up the Oregon coast, starting in Gold Beach and working our way to Newport. In Gold Beach we splurged and stayed in a hotel right on the beach and had our own private balcony with a spa tub overlooking the ocean! I also had my first full glass of wine in 16 months! In Gold Beach we stopped by and visited my late grandpa's sister, Madge. She was thrilled to have the company and meet Ayla. We also ate in Evan's fresh seafood resturant called Barnacle Bistro, it was delicious! We worked our way up to Newport and stayed in our time share there. Then we headed to Portland to visit my brother, Jason. On the way we stopped by our favorite winery between Lincoln City and Salem. Ayla liked the sound of the ocean and kept looking at it. She sure clung on when we got close to it though. :) We didn't get to meet up with all our friends in Portland & Vancouver since it was a short trip...next time though!

Daddy's Helicopter

A day in the sun

Here are some pics I took of Ayla in her sunhat that Grandma Lola and Great Grandma Ruth made her. It was fun to watch her experience grass for the first time. She didn't like it much, she wanted to be on the blanket and not touch the stuff! It was also neat to watcher her look at the clover (last pic). She has such gorgeous long eyelashes.

Cuddle Bugs

Look at these two cute little cuddle bugs.

School's out for the summer, YAHOO!

Due to the budget crisis down here I am being transfered to a different grade and school. I will be teaching at Stearns now, 2nd grade. I did get officially laid off on Friday (last day of school) and then got a call on Tuesday getting a job back. I am going to be sad to leave Henley, mainly because of all my friends there and the wonderful families and kids. However, I am really looking forward to being in a building again and this new grade level. There's something about being in a low income school where the kids really need you that makes you feel good about the job you do. My friend, Ann, from Vancouver is going to come down this summer and bring me some of her 2nd grade materials and help me set up my classroom. She has taught 2nd grade in WA for several years and is a master teacher, she's awesome! I did a practicum in her classroom when I was going through my Master's program and that is how we met. So I am lucky to have someone like her to get me started!

Dusty is good, busy as usual. He likes it that way! Still working at the hospital, airlift, and KCC. I think he is really enjoying being a daddy. He just bought a bike so he can ride around on the bike trail here right behind our house. I'm going to make fun of him when he wears his helmet and maybe get him some spandex! haha! He wanted me to get one too but I told him I'd wait till Ayla got her's (whew, that'll be a few years). Or I can ride on the back of his, haha!

This summer we plan going up to Portland to visit my brother, making a trip down the coast, Crater Lake, and maybe some camping. We are also enrolling in a parent and tot swimming lesson class. That should be fun! I've been to Bend once already to visit my sister, Richard and our nephew. We'd also like to take a trip over to Grants Pass and visit Dusty's brother, Sennie and the kids. Whew, I guess we will be busy!