First Day of School 9/13

I have homeschooled until this year, when we decided to put two of our kids in school. 
Kind of interesting that we were sending one to Kindergarten and one to High School the same day!

You can see in her body language she was nervous, so sweet.

Meanwhile, this redhead was starting high school with her best friend!  I LOVE this picture of them.  It captures their personalities so well. 

Annie is 5th grade and John is 2nd grade this school year! 
Julia, Annie and John go to SVLA for 5 hours a week and do PE, Art, writing, etc.
It is a really great home school supplement program.

Julia is in seventh grade now!

Oregon Zoo 9/2013

Goats and Foxes.

Stuart (Jesse's brother) and his family joined us.  Cousin time at the zoo is fun!

Baby elephants are so cute!

Chatting with cheetahs.

Termite hills are big!

Asher really wanted me to take a picture of him by this.  So darling.

I looked down at Asher after taking the flamingo picture and caught him doing this with his foot.  I love it when kids are learning and the little wheels are turning in their heads.

Gerhardt Bay 9/2013

Fun in the sun, windy and Oregon style!

Our dear friends, the Dickson's, were kind enough to drive out to the coast with us for a day.  We never get tired of  spending time with them.  We always have much to talk about and our kids enjoy each other.  We miss them!
 

Reflection on the sand...

The beach is a happy place.

 

The kids didn't care if it was windy and a bit cold, they were getting in!!

These two were cute together.

Gorgeous!

Playing soccer.

This kid is going to make the girls swoon someday.

Portland Temple 9/2013

The Portland Temple was our temple for 6 1/2 years, it was nice to visit the grounds with the kids.

Something is always blooming, it smells heavenly!

At the reflecting pool.

Families are forever!

Gig Harbor 9/2013

 

We spent a night in Gig Harbor and stopped at the dock before church.  The smell of salt water. 
AHHHHHAAAHHH!!  Love it!

Checking out barnacles and mussels.  We got to attend Key Center Ward, my home ward growing up.  I only recognized a handful of people, it has changed so much!  It was testimony meeting and I was able to bear mine.  It was quite emotional because it is where I gained my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was wonderful.

Tacoma 9/2013

On our way to Gig Harbor!

Mt. Rainier, how I miss thee...

Mandatory stop at Pao's

Everyone likes doughnuts!