Ryker's Big Day

All Ryker this time.  This day was about him.  He was being blessed by his daddy at his maternal grandparent's ward in Oregon.  He performed well for the blessing.  Then, he started getting fussy and this willing grandma took him out in the hall for some loving.

They all sure make a great looking family.

The whole group.  Our family to the left, DeAndra's to the right.

He got lots of loving from his aunts and uncle.

Well, maybe loving from his aunts.

They drove 12 hours for one day of moving and Ryker's blessing the next day.  Then drove another 12 hours.  He looks worth it, right?

Nick really did show good loving.  He had a way with Ryker that was great to watch.

This is my favorite place for him to get loving, cuddled on my shoulder.

The Big Move

On our way down to Medford with a big trailer and Len's pickup I look up from my reading and see the speed Dale is going  and ask him, "Since when does Oregon have this high a speed limit?

I noticed we were not the fastest on the road going this speed.  We were kind of freaking out, and Dale kept insisting cars were still passing us.  I suggested we check the speed with the GPS.  Relief, we were only going 62.

Rock was given the job of organizing the loading into the moving van.  He took this job very seriously and spent a lot of time deciding how we could better streamline the process.

He wasn't a slacker and worked very hard.

He was everywhere and showed his workers he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

Even the bosses need a break.

He then got relieved of duty to take a much deserved nap.

The trailer got filled and some items went into the pickup.

Then Aaron and DeAndra said goodbye to their home of about five months.

52 Fifth Graders in Seattle

Every year for eight years our fifth grade has traveled to Seattle. My favorite moments come from students taking a risk or enjoying something they have never had the opportunity to do.This year's favorite moment involved the Space Needle. We take them up and let them enjoy the view. One young man this year kept asking me what happens if they didn't want to go up. I kept telling him he would enjoy it and all would be well. But, the next time I would see him again he would ask what happens if he didn't go up. I did tell him once, that it would mean someone would have to stay behind and miss the experience because we weren't going to leave him alone. His chaperone was also letting him know she would help him. I was handing out tickets and caught his anxious eye as he walked the ramp to the elevator. After handing out all the tickets I went up. Guess whose excited eyes caught me. This young guy came up to me and said, "It was awesome, Mrs!" We high fived and he went on with his group. That makes all the work worth it.

Hellos and Goodbyes

Our family picture has made some changes. A new grandson has been added. Sadly, however, we have lost our two furry friends, Sabry and Trouncy. Trouncy came to us when Whitni was about 2 years old. She was a great dog. She died about two years ago near her birthday. Sabry was her granddaughter. She was always one big energetic ball of fur. Until lately. We noticed she would fight to get a breath and was losing weight. I'm not much of an animal person. I'd love to be, but it doesn't come as easily as it does for others, but I will miss them greeting me.
Trouncy would lift her paw when I would walk up the stairs and we would shake hands. Sabry would cry as we would be getting out of the car from an extended trip. It always sounded like she was crying with excitement because we were home.
They were old and I know they were well loved by many. Our kids, Dale and I, and Liz the UPS driver will miss them both.