Major Update

Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Seems like life has been so busy it's been hard to find time to blog so my mom has given me (Emma) the blog! Here are some photos to show you what as been happening in my life!

We went to Utah for my Uncle Mark's mission homecoming! It was very fun seeing every buddy! Also while we were there my cousin josiphine got blessed!

We had lots of fun on the boat!

15th Wedding Anniversary

Aside from our little get away to Hawaii last week, Brandon & I enjoyed an evening at Skamania Lodge to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. We enjoyed the delicious food, beautiful view of the Columbia Gorge, and reflecting on the many happy moments we have shared together over the past fifteen years. I love you forever Brandon!

Five Days in Maui

Brandon, Audrey & I went to Maui, Hawaii last week. We enjoyed the sun, relaxed on the beach, snorkeled every morning, rode the waves on a boogie board, and watched a luau by the ocean as the sun set. It was fun having lots of one on one time with Audrey.

Behind us is the condo we rented - the Hale Hui Kai. The location is prime!

We found a shell with with live sea snail, which we named Sally. We took care of it (kept it in a bucket and changed its water/sand regularly). It looked like one tentacle of a octopus sticking out the end of a shell. It was fun to watch it move around and bury itself in the sand. Audrey really wanted to keep the shell. But, when we told her the snail would die if we took it home she decided to put in back into the ocean.

Thank you so much Mom & Dad for making this get away possible by taking care of Emma & Bruce!

Last Day of School

As of June 17th, school's out!

Bruce was so happy to be out of school he left a few days early to go to Utah with my parents. He had a great time in 3rd grade. He studied geology (diamonds), did A LOT of worksheets, researched Germany,marched in a culture parade for all 3rd grade students in Vancouver, and learned about American Indians. His teacher was Mr Dietz.


Emma finished elementary school and had a great 5th grade year with Mrs Quann. Her favorite projects include performing in an Egyptian play, studying early immigrants in America, creating PowerPoint presentations, performing chemical experiments, and reading books/giving oral book reports. She also enjoyed growing taller than her teacher over the year.

Audrey enjoyed kindergarten. Academically she was not challenged other than she completed the 1st grade reading curriculum. But, she made new friends, had a lot of fun, and got to be at school with her big brother & sister.

Emma Our Talent Show Star

Emma performed with her friend Maddie in her school talent show last week. I hope you enjoy the Miley Cyrus "Hoe-Down Throw-Down" (The abrupt and early ending to the music wasn't part of the routine.)

Memorial Day & More

This past week we joined Brandon at his engineering seminar for a sunny couple of days in Seattle. We went up in the Space Needle, enjoyed the aquarium with Kelly & the cousins, explored Pike's Place Market, and walked all around downtown!

Memorial Day weekend we hiked up Multnomah Falls and enjoyed a barbecue with friends!

(This is a simple cake with berries and fresh whip cream. Yummy!)

Here are a few videos from Audrey

s gymnastics "puff-ormance"

Camera Catchup

Someday, our computers will be linked to our brains. So, when I have a memorable moment or funny experience I will be able to share it with you without pulling out my laptop, logging in, hooking up the camera, etc. Although, it doesn't sound like a difficult task, I just don't do it as often as I intend. Of course, the automatic information sharing may lead to potentially embarrassing situations. For example, I wouldn't want you to know that I accidentally sprayed a good amount of air freshener instead of hairspray into my hair this week.

Without as much detail as I would like, here is my camera catchup with highlights from the past few weeks:

NYC Times Square with Kathy
Jen Tucker, Jen Hadfield,Kathy, Statue of Liberty & Me (For a low down on the Boston Marathon see Kathy's Blog. She's a blogging pro!)

Bruce at piano recital playing "Light Calvalry Overture & Pizzacato Polka"

Bruce's 9th B-day party was at JJ Jump

Jumping Party Animals

Emma at piano recital playing "Ragtime for Elise"

Emma as a fairy in Sleeping Beauty ballet performance

Brandon taught Audrey to ride without training wheels last week. She is a great bike rider! Today she rode 6 miles and attempted jumps on a dirt path. (I'm not kidding or exagerating!)

Audrey holding a baby chick at "Farm Day" She loved it!

Lunch at school with Daddy. Its great having the kids at the same school!

Emma's ballet solo:

Eygption Night

In Emma's class they have been studding Egypt!! So, as a project they decided to perform two plays (The Death and After Life of Isis and Osiris, and The Murder Case of Tutankhamen) for parents and friends!! After applying for characters Emma got the role of Isis!! The effort that was put in was incredible and was a great experience!!

They also were assigned to make their book conferences on pyramids!! Emma read the first book of the 39 Clues series. Its a great book!

Emma Turns 11

On March 30 Emma turned 11! We celebrated her birthday with a swimming party with a few friends, a family party with presents and banana splits, and Emma went to Wicked with Brandon!

Spring Break - Ft. Stevens & Cannon Beach

Last week we went camping at Fort Stevens and explored several beaches along the Northern Oregon Coast for spring break. The weather was typical for spring in the NW - cool temperatures with a little bit of sun, rain, wind & hail. Despite these less than ideal camping conditions, we had a blast riding bikes, cooking over a fire, sleeping in a yurt (an enclosed tent/cabin with a heater lights, & bunk beds), walking on the beach, climbing trees, and looking at raccoons (which were very friendly and slept under our yurt).