End of school year

I've noticed that with Nicole being in the Junior High there aren't as many end of the year activities and I will really miss that when Ashley gets to that point so I decided I'll need to really enjoy these last few years with Ashley (really only one, since she'll be the first class of 6th graders in the reconfigured "Moscow Middle School" snif snif.

Her class spent the last couple months of school working on an Oregon Trail simulation that culminated in an Oregon trails day where they sewed pouches, ate somewhat authentic trail food, read plays and made other crafts.

Ashley received a blue patch for her presidential physical fitness test... again!! This is one of her biggest goals throughout the year and she takes it very seriously.

For the last day of school, Ashley invited friends Grace, Rachel and McKenna over for games and yummy snacks.

Ashley, Rachel, McKenna & Grace

Grace and Ashley enjoying the sunshine on the deck.
How fun to be 10 and sitting under umbrellas!!
It's been a REALLY LONG... WET & COLD spring.

The countdown to Italy

Nicole came home a month ago to tell me that there were two teachers at the Junior High that were organizing a trip to Italy for the kids. My first response was "do they need adults to go too?" Of course I was excited for her to go but I couldn't contain my excitement that I might be able to go. The first process was to apply. They told us there was only space for 20 students and around 7 adults so I prepared Nicole that we might not get in. The lists came out about a week after we applied and the email said "Congratulations you made it!!" so we both got SOOO excited that we were going to Italy. I then started thinking that I should check the list for my name since they might have sent me the email just to let me know that my daughter was going. When I checked the list my name was not on it!!! There was, however, a Tina Hansen and I thought, in the back of my head, "hmmm, I wonder it that's a mistake" but didn't do any checking. So, I had to reroute my excitement to focus just on Nicole's experience. A day before the deadline to sign up online, her teacher asked her if her mom had gotten registered yet and she said "no, she didn't get it" and he said "yes, she did!!" Woo hoo, I promptly went online to register.

Our lift off date is June 10th ish, 2012. Let the fundraising begin!!!

What a fun experience to go to Italy with all of your good friends when you're 14!! She'll be traveling with friends Berlyn, Katie, Trinity, Maddy, Olivia and several others.

Trinity, Katie, Maddy & Nicole

Memorial Day festivities

We headed back to the cabin for Memorial Day weekend. This time we had our four (five counting Chukar), Bryan & Jonalea, Muffin, Keith & the boys and friends Catherine and Boyd and their girls from Coeur d'Alene and Nicole's friend Aliciana. 15 people total at the cabin and it was so fun!!

The Taylors, Bryan & Jonalea, The Hansons

Paul, Bryan, Muffin

The hikers, Miles, Ashley, Grace on "Ashley's rock"
Paul & Mason

The worn out doggers Chukar & Ringo

We had a great time hiking behind our cabin, although Ashley was a little embarrassed that we were wearing matching vests :)

Nicole & AlicianaMason and his favorite past time - vacuuming

Packed up and ready to head back down the river.
It's been a long time since the boat has been this full!!

Fun Times

We've been spending quite a bit of time at the cabin these days... getting things finished on the inside and cutting a hiking trail into the side of mountain. We've had quite a few visitors and have thoroughly enjoyed having people down to spend time with us.

The cedar going up on the walls

The water has been so high this year that we don't have much of a boat ramp so far this year.

Paul suited up for weed wacking

Nana getting a pedicure from Nicole

Nana and Ashley hiking

Mother's Day

My sweet girls planned a very fancy breakfast for me all by themselves (Paul was out of town). They made waffles and a very special mocha. Nicole even peeled a clementine and decorated the plate with it. I'm such a lucky mom.

Our first teenager!!

It's hard to believe that Nicole is officially a teenager. She decided to have three of her friends up to the cabin for the weekend. They had a great time hiking, playing badmitton, riding the 4 wheeler, and of course falling into cactus.

Olivia, Nicole, Berlyn, Aliciana

It looked so pretty but was not very friendly

Yikes...I'm behind!!

Okay, so it's April, 2011 and I haven't blogged since November. The only thing I can attribute this to is that I've been working down at Paul's office since January and have never (until now) appreciated my freedom. Well, now that my house is a disaster, I hardly go grocery shopping, my poor puppy is very unhappy with his lack of exercise and my body is very happy with the lack of exercise and none of my "projects" including blogging have gotten done in a long time, I'm finally starting to appreciate that freedom. I'm looking forward to the day when I get more streamlined at work and can only work 2-3 hours a day. :)