The Noblest Profession

Jonas' teacher, Mr McIntosh, was a good teacher.  He was a little distracted, though, as he and his wiife just had a baby (their first).  And half way through the year his father passed away.  Jonas was already gone to Utah before I even thought about taking a picture WITH his teacher....

Ryah's teacher, Ms Masson, was incredible.  She worked all year long with us to help Ryah improve her behavior.  Then one month before school ended she found out that she had cancer.  We were all heartsick.  She is a trooper and is doing well, however.  This is the substitute teacher, Ms Mason.

Anastasia loved her teacher, Mrs Fossett.   Jonas and Miriam also had her in second grade (she was Ms Johnson, then) so Mom was glad too!

Everyone loves Mr K!  (Kiekaefer).  He plays guitars all the time and has lots of fun parties.  

I could not have hand picked a better teacher for Kristina.  After the problems we had with Kristina's teacher last year, Mrs Richards was a breath of fresh air.  She towed the line but was very loving.  She also has lots of fun songs to remember things like multiplication.

Ms Rayburn is a fun teacher.  She signs up for all kinds of ecology field trips.  Miriam got to do water testing , go to a shellfish farm and the local marina to learn how to better protect the environment.  She is also the Safety Patrol leader (cross walk guard).  Miriam and Jonas both were members of the Safety Patrol.

Welcome Home, Dad!

Keith went on a business trip to Texas.  The day he was to come home I suggested (out of desperation from kids asking WHEN he was coming home) that they make him a sign.  As is so often the case with my children, they took my idea and ran with it. 

They made posters

Made muffins, colored pictures and decorated

They all missed their daddy... and so did I.

Spring Concerts

Caleb has really enjoyed playing the cello in middle school.  He really likes Mr. Sokolik.  He was even  chosen to be a part of the symphonic orchestra that travels around to different elementary schools to play concerts and get the elementary kids excited about middle school band.

 

A sunset after Caleb's concert.

Miriam's concert.   Was supposed to be Jonas' as well but he was gone.

Mr Sears is AMAZING!!  Besides the fact that it takes someone special and dedicated to be able to be a beginning orchestra teacher, he really knows how to handle the kids and encourage them to progress and enjoy music and their instrument.  Sorry I don't have a picture of his face.  Krisitina took these pictures.

This was supposed to be Jonas' concert as well, but he was already in Utah at "Cousin Camp."

Not really a concert but fun nevertheless.   Vanessa Oblad used to live in our ward.  She has spent the last couple of years building up a career in singing (she is AMAZING).  She came to concert here with Marvin Goldstein.  The local (incidentally in our ward) play director arranged  for this group of kids to sing and perform with Vanessa (she goes by Vanessa Joy).  Caleb, Miriam and Anastasia were able to do this.

I know you can't actually see any of our kids but they are there.

Easter 2011

(Once again most of these pictures are taken by someone else.  I think I'm training up some photographers, right?  That's my story and I'm sticking to it)

A big nest that Alina and Elijah made to hold their eggs (and themselves).

Yeah!!  Peach blossoms that made it past the deer.

And apple blossoms.

Flowers that Keith bought me for Easter.

Anastasia's Easter basket.... almost as big as her grin. At our house the Easter bunny comes on Saturday, while Sunday is reserved for discussions about Easter and why we celebrate it, what are the symbols ect.

This year we distracted the "little" kids with a movie while the older kids (Caleb, Jonas, Kristina and Miriam) stuffed and hid Easter eggs. 

Then they helped the younger ones find them.  Turns out that was THE funnest way to do it.  All the kids asked if we could do it that way again next year.  (with the possible change of letting Alina and Anastasia join the "big kids")

Someone else joined in.

Even Tessa enjoyed the commotion.

Our yard isn't much to look at, but boy is it the bees knees for an egg hunt.

I love that my kids love to hang out with each other. despite the obvious differences (in age and other things).

Of their own accord, they emptied out the eggs and divided up the candy evenly.

Yup, part them flowers so I can get to the real view!!

Decorating eggs.

Anastasia's homemade bib.

I catch the "after-holiday" sales and get lots of different kinds of  egg dying kits.  It is always fun to see what ones are fun and what ones are duds.  This one was a BIG hit!!!

Keith tolerates the whole egg dying thing.

They all also liked the stickers.

And the marble kit.

We also like eating the eggs.  We do about 10 dozen eggs and the kids get to take one for lunches and  if (I stress the IF) there are any left over after a couple days we make egg salad sandwiches.

They like the candy also.

One big happy family.