4th of July 2013!!!

The 4th of July was one of the best I remember!~  I forgot how much I love a good parade!!!  We met up with Eileen and Otis, Abe & Eli for some parade fun.  The weather was perfect, the parade was entertaining with plenty of candy to go around :)

Eileen's little guys were at their first parade and in awe of all of the candy, tractors, music, guns, and glitter...can you blame them?  We all had perma smiles on our faces from this small town taste of Americana...perhaps savoring it a bit more before our overseas adventure.  

The gang's all here!!!

Getting sprayed by the fire truck...Go Grandpa :)

Ashland's famous fixture, Gordy Johnson!  Walks about 15 miles a day puts a smile on everyone's face 

On the way to the fireworks...ear plugs and head bands to deal with the NOISE!!

Brotherly love!~

Daddy's the best!

 Vanilla Please!!!

 Who needs electronics when you have cards to pass the time before the parade starts :)

 Discussing Strategy!

 My dear friend, Eileen!!!! 

 Thanks, Grandpa!

 Score!

 My new buddy, Eli!  :)  What a snuggle bug!

Getting Soaked by the Fire Truck!

Puerto Vallarta 2013!!!

 Mexico was an amazing trip of a lifetime with Jon's family.  There were 20 of us there celebrating Liz and Praveen and it could not have been a more perfect week.  The weather was phenomenal in PuertoVallarta, while it was the cruelest cold and snow back in Minnesota... :)  The boys swam and swam and spent time with their Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Adam got a bit crispy with sunburn but recovered nicely.  Jay scared the bajeezus out of me by falling off of the sea wall onto the concrete below.  We figure it was about a 10 foot drop, and only ended up with a skinned knee.  I, of course, sobbed the rest of the night reliving the fall and the "what could have happened".  A Mom's world is so tough when her kids hurt :(  Our guardian angels were definitely out in full force.  Bev and Jerry shared so much of this wonderful place with all of us.  It never could have happened without them.  What an wonderful memory for everyone.

Adam's birthday party!!!

Silly Cam

Shortly after the fall...both of us in shock.

Photo Bomb!!!

In awe!!!!  Taken by his little brother.

Our family photo with the green mermaid with the "fake boobs"...classy!  

Enjoying their burritos poolside!

Polar Plunge - March 8th 2013

Jon and the boys decided to participate in the annual Ashland Polar Plunge to benefit hospice.  It was a frigid day and the water was colder than any of them could have anticipated.  Adam wore one of Grandpa's cameras on his head to capture the entire experience.  This was in memory of Marti and they were so brave to take it on.  Jay was speechless and Adam really persevered.  All of them ran back across the frozen lake and up the hill into the hot tub waiting inside the hotel.  Of course Grandma was the emcee and did us all proud.  Mommy wasn't feeling well so decided to be the towel holder and sympathetic snuggler :)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200731905044122

Times They are a Changin'

We are very excited to announce that both Jon and I have been offered excellent teaching positions at Qatar Academy in Doha, Qatar. We had an absolutely jam packed long weekend in Waterloo, Iowa at the UNI International Teaching Fair Feb. 1-3.  It was an unbelievable experience.  There were about 650 teachers there looking at nearly 130 schools for teaching positions.  We had our list of schools narrowed down to around 10 and went vying for interviews.  We succeeded in landing 7 interviews, China, Korea, Indonesia, India, 2 for Qatar, England, and Saudi Arabia.  When it was all said and done we had an offer from Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and  Qatar. The decision was difficult but we felt the best fit for our family was Qatar.  The school, the jobs, the administration, the location, and the family centered focus.  Jon will be teaching middle school science while I will be doing learning support/reading specialist work in the 2nd grade.  The kids will be right at the same school as us.  So excited for this.

We won't be leaving until August and have lots to get done in the mean time, but it is all exciting and keeping us invigorated through these long winter months.  We will continue to post updates and keep everyone connected to our family as we make this enormous move together.  Thanks in advance for all of your well wishes.

Below is a link to the school we will be working at and the boys will be attending.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOzsfR1Vqs0

Fair and Balanced :)

Jay's first day of Kindergarten on a "Grandma and Grandpa day".  Since Adam got a ride in Grandpa's Corvette last week, Jay received his big entrance the same way as Adam.  Our boys are so lucky to have such love and attention paid to them by their grandparents.  He is loving school and, of course, school is loving him. :)  Adam is really on his game too.  I even had a parent come up to me on the playground after school to tell me that Adam has been really sweet and helpful with her daughter in the morning in class because he could tell that she was struggling with being back.  Awwww...does my heart so good to hear that they are empathetic and compassionate with others.  If that Mom only knew that Adam was breaking down with anxiety before getting there too...just gets passed it when he finally reaches school.  I decided to pass on the comparison of the two kids and bask in the glow of positivity instead.

First Day of Kindergarten!!!

Today was Jay's FIRST day of Kindergarten!  I can't believe that my tiny little baby, whom I could pick up out of his bassinet with one hand and snuggle up to, is now a Kindergartner.   Jon, Adam, and I got up extra early so we could ALL drop him off at Discovery Club (his before-school care).  He was really excited and ready to see what being an "old friend" was all about in Miss Eileen's class.  As I hugged him good-bye, he whispered into my ear, "You're getting thinner, Mom".  What a dolly he is.
When I picked him up after school at 3PM he looked happy, but absolutely exhausted!!!  As I hugged him hello after his long day, he says into my ear..."You LITERALLY are getting thinner".  He is so funny with his comments...no idea where this is coming from.  Oh, and Adam had to wear his SF 49er jersey after they killed GB yesterday :(  He was thrilled! :)

First post

I am thinking of starting a blog in order to document life as it occurs...milestones that the boys make and just how we all tend to react and deal with it all.  This would be a wonderful way of looking back as life goes by.