Wednesday in Oregon

We awoke to a beautiful cool morning and after some coffee on the deck, I took a walk to the reservoir down the road from the house. The next pictures were taken on that walk. Peaceful, wonderful and relaxing.

Below is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Rahmn's house (Mark's parents) taken from the canal down from their house! If you look closely, you can see the porch were I would spend time reading. When I got the chance!

Most of the day was spent down at the canal. The kids cousin, Makayla, spent time with them looking for lizards and snakes!

One of the kids favorite activity was riding on the "mule". As you can see, it looks like a golf cart. The family uses it to get around the property. My kids think it is a ride like at Disneyland. They ride it all day! This year, Ryan was old enough to drive himself and the kids around. Good Times!

Gma and Gpa Rahmn's House-Bend, Oregon

We arrived Tuesday evening at Grandma and Grandpa Rahmn's house in Bend, Oregon.



Megan could not get enough of the cows that were in the pasture! :)

Mark's parents as well as Mark's grandparents live on adjacent property up in Oregon. We celebrated Great Grandma Dodd's birthday the first evening we were there. We turned in early from a long day of driving!

Off to Oregon.....

The road to Oregon was a scenic one! We had a great time going through the small towns in Northern California. We crossed the Oregon border and had to stop for a picture. Megan was all about getting pictures by the border sign. :) It reminded me of when I was little traveling with my parents. I used to think when you crossed the state borders that bells, whistles, lights and sirens went off. Just like in the Bugs Bunny cartoons. Anybody with me?

We stopped in Lakeview, Oregon, for a quick bite at the Burger Queen! Great Food! The next trek of our adventure there wasn't going to be any gas stations or places to stop. Houses here and there! No traffic either! Wouldn't want to break down or drive the highway at night!

We found a little spot on the side of the road to just get out and stretch. Ryan, well, Ryan, had to, you know, do some business. There's a first time for everything! LOL
Tasha climbed trees. The others just ran around!!

Off To Nevada...

We hit some rain going up over Mammoth. Big, Fat Rain!! :) It was fun! We arrived in Minden, Nevada at my brother, Joe and sister in law Donna's house.

This is my brother and me

This is my niece, Christina and me!

Jade in the chicken coop!

Briggor and Sophia, my niece's daughter. They met for the first time. They are 4 months apart!

As night fell, Christina took the girls to her house for a sleep over party. The boys and I stayed the night at my brother's house. We were up early to head more north to Bend, Oregon.

On vacation.....

Last Monday, I left my husband to venture north for a little vacation. I was the only driver and 6 kids in the car. Filled the cooler with drinks and snacks and off we went. Our first stop was Bishop at my friend, Robin's house. She welcomed our family with open arms and we enjoyed some fun time and lunch before heading more north. The kids "pond" which was more like a little lake in the back part of the property. It had trout in it and the kids fed them. There was also a rope swing which Megan and Tasha rode over the water. One time, they did it together and Megan fell into the YUCKY fish pond. I wish I had a picture of that!! LOL It was quite funny! After a quick shower and change, she was better!

Loaded the kids up again and off to Nevada we went.....

Another Birthday

Happy 11th Birthday - Jade!!!

Andrew Update

Andrew called today to check in! He is doing well. He went into his counselor to get a copy of his official transcripts only to discovery that his work experience teacher past him with a "D" even though he didn't work a day the whole semester. Makes a parent go "HHHmmmmmmm!"

Anyways, with this new finding, Andrew only has to attend summer school for 3 weeks instead of 6. He will be receiving his high school diploma on June 25th. Yea for Andrew!

I do believe he is experiencng life outside of his family in many new ways. He informed me that at his friends house where he is staying they don't have cable which means no TV! Andrew is a total sports nut! He is not able to watch the Laker games right now! Big disappoint! But things are different on the outside! He wasn't complaining but you can tell that it bothered him a bit!

He is walking to and from his friends house to summer school. He doesn't get rides everyday!

I have to say, he is making progress in being an adult. He has taken the initiative to get out there and do something!

He is heading to LA tomorrow to sign papers to change his ship out date for the army! He is still going forward with this decision!

I hope he keeps up the good work!! I do miss him a lot but I realize that he needs the space and time to grow up!! :)

Megan BV Star

I forgot to add this to my end of year events. oops! Megan graduated from 6th grade and is on her way to Warren Jr. High! Throughout elementary school, the children have the opportunity to earn points for certain things while attending school. This could include: after school sports, choir, band, student council, helping teachers, principal's list and honor roll, just to name a few. In her years at Buena Vista (BV), Megan earned her BV letter, a star and in her final year there she earned another star. Megan did 3 years of choir. She did a semester of violin. She ran for the relay team in track and she had honor roll a few times!

Congratulations on a job well done!