Some Updates on Emily

This past spring, Emily was notified that one of her poems was submitted and selected to be in Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans. We are not sure who submitted her poem, but were pleased anyway. Emily did not even know which poem it would be. We have just recently received the book, and here is the poem:

WINTER
Soft snow warm tea.
Red and blue mittens build a snowman.
Christmas lights fill snowy nights.
Blowing white snow cold windy day.


And, to top off her week, Emily was elected Class President! She is very excited and honored to win the votes of her classmates. She and her Vice President, Danielle, worked hard by campaigning and giving speeches. This was a perfect end to her week.

First Day of School, 2005

Here are Elle, Emily and Reese getting ready for the big girls' first day of school.

New Ride

Check out our new ride!

Too cute not to share

Noelle's facial expressions are priceless and this is no exception. What a ham!

Ocean Shores

On July 30th, we drove to Ocean Shores to take in the Pacific Ocean. We told the kids over and over that this water is very cold and that they could not swim in it like we swam in the ocean when we were in Florida many years ago. After the first frigid toe dipping, they got used to it and did a lot of beachcombing. They came back with many sand dollars, crab shells and oyster shells. These pictures are just priceless and we feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to spend the summer in Washington.





Getting over the initial shock that this water is actually very cold!













Emily













Elle













Reese, Emily, Elle and Jeff



























Beachcombing


















Digging in the sand.














Crab carcass












Jeff and Noelle













Jeff wading in the surf with his girls.














Our resident beach bum.















Mmmmm.....Dinner?

















Summer fun.













Playing on the beach.














Sunset on the Pacific.















Emily on the beach at sunset.

Mt. St. Helens

On July 28, the girls and I ventured to Mt. St. Helens with another mom and her son. This was one of the more interesting day trips we have taken and the 3-hour drive was totally worth it. Notice the plumes of steam coming from the top? There have been a series of small (about 3 on the Richter scale) earthquakes almost daily being registered in the area. All of the fallen trees have been left to lay just as they fell and the scenery is just awesome! I highly recommend taking the time to visit this area if you have the chance.