Old news but It had to be added

Roz and I went on our Mother daughter 12 year old trip end of August. She wanted to center on the Old West Native American time period. We decided to go to Colorado and watched many of the Dr Quin Medicine women show before we went. (not as much the reader as Becca is). We went to North Park and visited a restored old west town. Saw Pikes Peak but didn't climb it. Our favorite part was riding the range on horseback. We went to Arco Mines and looked for gold nuggets-to no avail-but got to climb through some old tunnels and check out some scary mine works. We spent the night at Soda Springs and got to go swimming in the natural hot springs which were a creepy shade of green. We hiked a "short" walk in our sandals in Este's park that turned into a 10 mile hike over boulders and down secluded paths. Still no signs of moose, but lots of chipmunks. We spent the night at my awesome friend Maralee Powell's and then toured the Denver area before heading home. She is an awesome pre-teen and I learned a lot about rocks. Who knew there could be that many rock stores anywhere.

Portland to Coast Walk

Hey I just found out our team came in 31st out of 400 walking teams. I did my first walk through Suavie Island area at a 13 min. average and then the second part was from 12:30-1:45 am-yah, the middle of the night am, 3/4 hard uphill and I still averaged 13.5 minute walks. It was a fun event with some great ladies. We were completly exausted though as we were up for about 27 hrs straight by the time we got home. I tried to take a nap on our off time, but the ladies next to us decided to pull out the barbaque and the icecream maker....ARE YOU KIDDING ME! All these people up since 3:30 in the morning and you decide to make icecream while we are trying to sleep! Then the rain starts and the other side decides they are completly incapable of putting up a tarp for over an hour, but this ineptitude does not stop them from having lengthy discussions about all the wrong ways to try and how wet their stuff is getting. So to say the least, I am still sore and tired but can't wait for next year!

Help: Crazy Neighbors

OK, I am freaking out because I was actually having a nice day today. Heaven forbid I actually try and relax and have a nice day. My kids are out in my front yard riding their bikes on the private drive. The Dog goes crazy when she is locked up and the kids are playing. I, by the way, after having a neighbor show up at my door at 1:30 in the morning when Nate is out of town to threaten me because she is barking, just went out today and bought a park collar. Now she discovers the neighbors have chickens. These are not in a pen chickens, no these are free-range chickens that are always coming in my yard, etc. So the dog, being a dog, chases said chickens and as I yell to get her back and throw her in the house the angry, scary, long haired pot smoking son starts yelling that two chickens are missing and one is badly injured. My kids are scared, he starts threatening to shoot the dog, which increases the fear factor. So now we are all hiding in our house with the doors locked and the dog inside. So much for me "good day".

Battle and grad's at the end of school

Eliza and Heidi May were on a Battle of the Books team for the 3rd graders. They took the championship for 3rd grade but lost by one question to the fifth grade team. I am so proud of her. She had to read, write a book review and then memorize the titles and authors for 20 books. It was a bit hard to watch her compared to when Becca went to regionals with her team. 3rd graders are just to bouncy and scatter brained.

We also had the graduation from Preschool for Andrew. He is officially a kindergartner and ready as well as excited. He wakes up everyday and asks does he start school today. We are trying to understand the waiting thing.

The rest of the kids are finished on Friday. We do not have a formal graduation for Eight graders but are excited Becca is moving on to High School with a solid 4.0 all through middle school. She also has made it on a local Ballroom Dance team for next year but is hoping to do track as well. Busy kids make for a busy mom but I love to see them try new things.

Are You Kidding Me?

Ok, to all of you crazy people out there who keep asking me if I have "seen" the trailer to New Moon yet-Hello, of course I have. I do have to thank my friend Darilyn for letting me know it came out and I have to confess that it was out almost 16 hours before I saw it. An insane busy life is no excuse to fall down on the necessities of feeding an obsession. I apologize to all my other crazy friends :)

The Summer Countdown

Only two weeks of school left and I am so excited to not have a schedule every day. I know, I know, come the middle of August I will be begging to have them back in school. What have we been doing here? Nate spent the day ripped out a sub frame from another car to replace his sub frame while the rest of us sat in the blistering heat for 4 hours at Becca's last band concert. She did great though and I bought plenty of water and soda in support of the band. Hot dog lunches, yum yum. We are going to try and schedule out our summers so all you friends that live to far away, this is the year to come see us. Just let me know when you want to crash at our house. You can even make us a stop on the way to something better-nice seeing you Angie.

Oh by the way, I am re elected to school board for another four years. Tomorrow is another big meeting but we are almost done until August. I only have one meeting in July! Well back to the same ol same ol.

Smith Family Keeping Busy

Well I thought I would just do a quick update and say Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous women I know. Today was a day of achievements for the Smith household. Roz has turned 12 and is officially on her way into Young Women's. The girls came and welcomed her in this week by decorating her room with B's. It was close, but the bishop passed her off this morning and she received her certificate.

Becca had her own success today as she received her Young Women's medallion. We are very proud of her finishing it up before becoming a Mia Maid. Way to Go Becca! I am just sad to see her project of teaching Zach and Eliza piano lessons to end; now I have to do it.

I am in the middle of the Beaverton School Board elections but as I am running unopposed, I am feeling confident I will win. I am putting my election energy into getting LeeAnn Larson elected as well. State budget and elections in the next two weeks are going to be keeping me busy. Thank you to everyone for their wonderful help.