New Car
Thanks to Grandma Kerry, Sarah is now driving a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. Sarah will have it for a couple years, and then it'll pass down to Ben, and after that to Khazana. Click a thumbnail for a full sized shot
School Days!
Sarah and Ben have their first day of school today. Sarah is a Junior and Ben a Freshman. I remember when they went off to Kindergarten as if it were yesterday, and now they're both in High School.
Happy Birthday Aunt Lois!
We're wishing for you from afar a great birthday. You've been a source of wisdom and inspiration for us all. Enjoy your day, and weekend celebration with your friends and family.
Busy busy busy!
Back from a week of summer camp (some pictures soon!); Ben is going to Tahosa to staff Bighorn Leadership Training this coming week; this weekend is the Cherry Blossom Festival. Lots going on!
Happy Anniversary Cameo!
Happy Birthday, Jason!
Drive my car
Sarah "sits" for her driver's license today. We've got the paperwork done, a year's worth of practice driving documented, and the necessary forms of identification. The weather should be sunny and in the 50s today, so she shouldn't have any issue passing the exam. Good Luck to you, Sarah!
Cruising along
Last night, what started as a quick trip to the grocery store, turned into a two-hour drive around town. Sarah needed to get in some practice drive time, and had volunteered to drive to the store. Coming back, she asked if we could take a longer way home. We ended up driving highway 93 up into Boulder, looped around campus, and then took US-36 back to Superior and home via Indiana Blvd. She did great, and can count the trip for practice, night driving, and highway driving.
School Days, School Days...
Sarah and Ben are back at school today (first day is a Friday?!?). Sarah's a sophomore at Lakewood High and Ben is a "top of the heap" 8th grader at Manning Middle School. Good luck today, kids!
Happy Anniversary, Jason and Cameo!
Happy Birthday, Jason!
Birthday 2009
Kerry, Andrew, and Khazana came down last Saturday to help celebrate Ben and Sarah's birthday. We had a great time playing games and eating cake & ice cream.
Happy Happy
Happy Birthday Sarah! You're 15 and can get your permit!
Happy Birthday Ben! You're 13 and are officially a teenager!
Getting Better
Ben's finally on the tail end of being sick. Yesterday he had a lot more energy and his fever was gone. He's still stuffed up and coughing but is feeling a lot better. We'll still take it easy today, however we expect he'll be back at school tomorrow.
Driver's Seat
Sarah is taking the behind-the-wheel part of her driver's ed course today. We dropped her off at a big parking lot at 8am, handed her the keys, and wished her good luck. She's under the guidance of MasterDrive program, and based on the feedback we've gotten from other parents she's in great hands. She's already passed the written part of the course, and as soon as we find the time we can hit the DMV and get her official learner's permit.
Sick.
This past weekend Ben and I attended Klondike Derby at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. It was COLD, but all the scouts got through the weekend with few issues. However, Ben came down with a nasty bug Sunday morning and is now laid up with a cold and fever. We're hoping things improve today, but he's staying home from school to rest more. If he's still running a temp we'll call the doctor tomorrow.
Readin' an' Ritin' an' Rithmetic'
Sarah and Ben head back to school today after their long winter break. Both have a similar schedule to last semester, with just their elective courses changing. They both were able to get up at the correct time this morning, so vacation didn't spoil them for early mornings. (Ben did request a cup of coffee, though). Good Luck Kids!
Happy Birthday Piper! Our "millenium" dog turns 9 today.
Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Happy Birthday, Ravioli! 12 years old today.
Happy Birthday Mom!
Dictionary Day
Today is my birthday.
It is also the 250th anniversary of famous lexicographer Noah Webster's birth. (1758-1843)
It seems fitting that we share a birthday, given my love of words!
Boulder Asian Festival
Today Sarah is dancing at the Boulder Asian Festival at 3:30. We've had lots of rain this weekend, so hopefully it'll NOT be raining when she performs.
Back to School
Today is the first day of school: Sarah as a 9th grader and Ben as a 7th grader. Good luck at your new schools!
Happy Birthday, Aunt Lois!
Are you okay?
I wrote Aunt Lois asking if she was okay with all the flooding in Iowa (including Des Moines). Here is her reply:
Thank you for your concern and kind thoughts. Fortunately we are high and dry here at Wesley Acres. I'm so grateful to be here and not have the responsibility of the house. My heart goes out to all the victims of the floods, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms etc.--all tragic losses. The entire country has been deluged with viscious storms, and lots of places in the world with earth quakes and other disasters. I watch the Weather Channel more than regular news it seems. The destruction and deaths at the Boy Scout Camp were heartbreaking. I must get the TV on and see if the DM River hs crested. Thanks again. Lovingly, Lois
Continuation 2008
I've finally uploaded photos from Sarah and Ben's continuation ceremonies. See them here on Flickr.
Happy Birthday, Jason!
Here is a list of other important things that happened on this date.
Continuation
Congratulations to Sarah for "graduating" from Manning Middle School! Congratulations to Ben for "graduating" from Kullerstrand Elementary School!
pinball
we went to a pinball expo last night. All machines were on free play so we were able to use any working machine. Sarah and Ben had a good time and we all went home tired.
Sports (Speed) Stacker
Last Month Ben participated in a multiple-school Sports Stacking competition. Ben has been "stacking" for a few years now, and is very good at it. Today he came across this article about the competition and how he and his fellow participants "stacked up": Ben took 4th in the Boys 3-6-3 and 1st in the individual Boys Cycle.
I've uploaded some photos of Sarah dancing at Hanamatsuri last week. See them here: Pictures | Slide Show
Have a Donut
Off to "Camp"
Today Ben heads off to Windy Peak for Outdoor Lab School. He'll be there today through Friday, taking classes and electives. Have fun and stay warm, Ben!
Christmas Photos
Sarah received a digital camera for Christmas. Below is a slide show of her first set of pictures.
Click the triangle to play - requires Flash
Happy Birthday Marishka Shuto!!
New Wheels
After months of looking, we finally found a minivan we like, and last night we made the move to purchase it - a 2003 Honda Odyssey:
Note: Not our actual van, but it's the same type and color
Now we will have enough room for the five of us, plus cargo space, when we all travel together!
