Back in town . . .

We returned from our trip to the Seattle area last Saturday.  The car has been unloaded, the laundry pile conquered and the suit cases stored in the cellar until the next road trip lures us away from Boise!  We had a fabulous time visiting with family.  The happy occasion that brought us all together was the graduation of our niece, Lauren, from Auburn Riverside High School!  Lauren is the daughter of Eric's sister, Tove.  For those of you who attended our wedding, she was the adorable toddler wearing a red flowered dress and she was running around chasing the bubbles.  What a delight to see her "all grown up!"  Lauren will be heading to Pacific Lutheran University this fall to study psychology ( I hope I am remembering that correctly).  I believe she may also work towards a minor (or maybe double major) in Spanish.  I have no doubt she will do well!

Fun Run . . .

  This was Emma's first year to run in the Capitol Classic Race.  It is an annual mile long race that begins at the Boise Depot and ends near the State Capitol building.  She had a fabulous time.  Emma told us she ran most of the way, but stopped to walk over the Boise River--she wanted to see how high the river was flowing!  At some point, one of her best friends, Myra, caught up with Emma and they ran it in together.  While Emma enjoyed the running, her favorite thing was receiving the medal and all of the free food after the race.  They were each given TCBY frozen yogurt, a Blimpie sandwich, milk, fruit and coupons for a free loaf of bread at a local bakery and apple dippers at McDonald's.  Yum!

Here is a link to the results and a few "professional" photos---St. Al's Capitol Classic   On the left of the race page, click on the "Photo Gallery: Sports Link" to see the pictures.  

Hanging out with other racers at the starting line.

Nice looking finish line.

In front of the Capitol, after the race!

Man vs. Cooling Rack!

Eric after a trip to the emergency room at St. Luke's!  He lacerated his eyelid at work.  A cooling rack was not put away properly and Eric was in the wrong place at the wrong time . . .

Some swelling a few hours after the visit to St.  Luke's.

What it looks like today!  A little less swelling--a little more color . . .

So much for me scheduling a family photo session!  I had hoped to have my friend Heather take a few  pictures of us in time for Father's Day (& late Mother's Day) gifts.  I was purposely waiting for school to let out for summer and for the weather to warm up.  Then my husband goes to work and nearly gets his eye poked out!  At least the weather is cooperating-- Oh, wait!  We had a tornado warning issued yesterday for areas east of Boise . . . Maybe next year!  

End of an era . . .

First day of Kindergarten--August, 2004 . . .

Last day of 6th grade--June, 2010!

It is hard to believe 7 school years have passed . . .  

I had my emotions under control until I walked into Adams to drop Katy & Emma off and the first person I saw was Mrs. Hoff!  She was Katy's Kindergarten teacher and when she looked at me, we both started crying!  

Since it was the last day for all of the 6th graders, a very generous parent paid for these to take the "graduating" students to their after-school party!  

 All 62 or so kids . . . it took 4 limos--2 Hummer and 2 "regular" . . .

You can't tell, but the limo is filled with 9 girls and one boy(who happens to be sitting on the other side of Katy.)  She kind of thinks he is cute, so she really enjoyed the ride!  

Rocket Woman . . .

I am so excited!  I think I have figured out a way to embed home video clips on the blog.  They do not look as good as the youtube clips, but it is progress!  Yay!  The main problem for me seems to be downloading (or maybe it is uploading--I do not know the difference!) content from the regular camcorder.  I have not figured it out.  Because we have an iMac, I have found it much easier to work with other Apple products when trying to be creative!  Anyway, Eric used our old Nano to record Katy as she launched her self-made rocket with her class yesterday and I have managed to make it available here . . .

The entire 6th grade class has been making rockets at school for the last few weeks and yesterday was launch day!  Lucky for us, the launch site was in the park near our house.  Eric and I were able to watch 60+ rockets launch into the cloud covered Boise sky.  So cool!  The kids did such a great job and every rocket launched successfully.  Due to the high winds, several landed in the trees.  Between determined students and a few parents, Eric included, all rockets were recovered!  There was a "contest" to win a 

Big Bertha Rocket Kit with the prize going to the student who made their school rocket to the exact specifications included in the kit they were given.  Two students in Katy's class were vying for the prize, Katy and one of the boys.  Not much of a competition--the boy gave up near the end, so Katy "won."  That girl is determined!  She embraces her inner gleek and rocks her attention to detail!  No doubt, she and Eric will be terrorizing our neighborhood with the rocket this summer . . .

Katy's rocket was not really "personalized" as she was competing in the contest.   Many of the other students painted their rockets with wild colors and patterns.  They were all unique!  

Waiting to launch . . .

Pre-launch . . .

Successful post-launch . . .