We're Here! And we've been busy!

Notice the new backgrounds and template design? My goal is to write at least once a week, if not more frequently, to keep you all up to date. So welcome to the new blog kickoff!

Zoe turned 8 on April 26th, and invited her friends and family to the AC Gilbert House museum in Salem. It was a great day for a party, despite the threat of rain. Check out the photos here!

Soon after Zoe's Birthday, the 5th Graders had a track meet. Cassie did the high jump, the long jump, and the 50 meter dash. Lots of fun, noise, chaos, and a chance to meet some of the kids that will be attending her middle school next year.

This May, we helped out at the local Community Festival at Cassie and Zoe's school. This was a chaotic but fun event. There were all kinds of activities, including a book fair, bouncy games, helicopter rides, classic cars, and food! Picassa album coming soon.

Then, what seemed like the very next day, graduation leapt out at us from wherever it's been lurking. Cassie finished her last year at Joan Austin Elementary School with style. She won a Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence- with Obama's signature and everything! This means she had higher than a 3.5 GPA for all of fourth grade and the first 2/3rds of 5th Grade, and exceeded the state standards tests in all categories. Whaa hoo!!!! No, we're not boastful about that at all. . . . (snicker). Of course we are- She is AWESOME! She will start Middle School in the fall with special privileges, like going to lunch early, and attending the honors writing/language arts/social studies classes.

Zoe finished 2nd grade with flair, becoming a Self Manager. This is an award for kids who turn all their homework on time, and manage their workload and behavior with minimal interference from the teacher. She was VERY excited to receive this because, like the certificate says, she's responsible, trustworthy, respectful, fair, and caring. She is AWESOME too!

Peter and I didn't graduate from anything. We are still members of the PTO, working at the school, working at work, and trying to keep our troublesome kids in hand. Actually, that last bit has been incredibly easy so far.

So we took them on vacation for the end of June and beginning of July. We packed up the VW and headed out to the coast - South Beach State park is just south of Newport, OR. There we camped for four nights. It was a very fun relaxing time. See for yourself!

Then we met my Mom, Dad, Becky and Mike at a beach house in Pacific City to celebrate all the July birthdays in my family. Even those of us with birthdays in other parts of the year ended up with cool presents. Watching the fireworks on the beach is the best way to view them. The sunset over the Pacific Ocean is one of the finer things in life. A wonderful trip, and we're sad t o be back home, where it is suddenly hot and summer like for the first time this year.

Those of you who get auto updates will immediately notice a lack of actual photo links in this post. Trust me, more links are on their way. ;)