Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Lunar Eclipse


We actually were able to watch the entire lunar eclipse (and get at least 1 decent picture!)! After months of rain - the evening of the eclipse was clear and bright. This photo is just as the eclispse was beginning (around 7:15 our time). The photos after this were less clear and a very white moon. I had to go teach a project class but William watched the entire process. Now we will not see another until Dec 2010.

Another snowboarding trip this weekend for William and then one final one mid-March. He definately likes to be on the slopes.
Bill and I have both caught colds and are fighting our way through it. Yeck. I am ready for a break in the weather and warmth - it has been cold and wet for far too long now.
Bill is going to Portland for an antique and collectible show March 1st and 2nd.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

Has it really been 15 years? Bill and I celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss today. Doesn't seem that long to me.

We will be going out to dinner Saturday night. William will be snowboarding that day and we don't have to meet the bus until midnight!

This is vaguely reminisent of the Chevy project. I guess William has inhereted his fathers DNA somewhere - note the bright yellow he has started his truck model with!
Father and son are working on this project together. It is a good thing . . .
We received a very nice letter from William's science teacher today recommending William for a week long Science Camp in Coravallis this summer. We have to apply and he has to write a 250 word essay to accompany the application along with recommendations from his science and mathematics teachers. If he is chosen, it is a fully paid slot for the camp! I for one am very excited and jealous - where was this deal when I was in middle school?! We are very excited (and yes proud) that William's science teacher feels he has the potential and drive to be one of the applicants to go to this camp. At first he wasn't too gung ho, but I think my excitement rubbed off. He wants to know a little bit more about the camp now . . . and that is the first step!
Well, I hope everyone had a great V-Day! Don't eat too much chocolate and from our family to yours XXX OOO

Sunday, February 10, 2008

2nd Semester Grades and such . . .

William just completed the 2nd semester at school. Has a 3.889 GPA - mom and dad are very proud. He earned his snowboarding trip for the 16th.

Had a baseball meeting today - yep, it's that time again. Should have lots of pics for the site starting in March. I'm still going to help out with Cal Ripkin league but William will move up to Babe Ruth this year. We officially have a batting cage this year (built over the summer last year). It will be interesting to see how the practice time works with the facility.

Mom and I were talking about Karen Russell, who is going to be in Amarillo, TX in August. Karen is what I aspire to be like with my blog (got to start somewhere so don't compare my blog to her blog because she is in a completely different league). I have some layouts that I completed in her class a couple of year's ago that I'm posting. I love that she broke me out of the 4 x 6 mold in my scrapbooking. Karen is the reason I have my Rebel camera. Karen's rule of thumb is you probably have to take hundreds of photos to get that one you love. Well, I have taken (and disposed) of hundreds at this point. I'm getting a little better - can't wait for Karen's on-line photography class this spring! Check out her site at http://www.karenrussell.typepad.com/.


This is Bill's favorite pic of William . . .

The pouch at the bottom has 3 additional photos of William in his Dennis the Menace shirt.

My favorite was one of the first photos I took with my new camera. I loved that the hair color came through so well and caught Hy giving his buddy a kiss.











Well, another
day of liquid sunshine - not as much as we have had the last week - things are improving!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Early Start this Saturday

Today, as most days this winter, is rainy. Looks like snow in the Cascades. Well, up at 4:30 and William was on the bus to Mt Hood at 6am - they should have some new snow to board on today. Will is going on his 2nd snowboarding excursion today - we thought we could kick in for another trip. Bill just left for a show in Longview. I have the house to myself.


Yesterday was a somber day as Bill's father passed away in the morning. He had been struggling the last few weeks and wouldn't eat. Cindy was able to be with him and say goodbye. Even when you are ready and have said your goodbyes, you are really never ready for the finality of letting someone go. My condolences go out to the family.