Summer's Over?

First, my apologies to those (very few) of you who keep coming to check this blog to find nothing new! Our summer was great - lots of sun (really! didn't feel like Seattle at all!), plenty of unstructured time, and a trip to visit my family in California. But it was also busy with 4 baseball tournaments, 3 soccer tournaments, practices, piano lessons, and just general responsibilities that don't go away just because the sun is shining!

That said, I am thrilled that September is here. I just don't DO well with all that free time! I love the schedules that come with the school year. (I even mopped my floor this week?!) It is definitely feeling like fall outside, too!
Here are my kids in their first-day finery, on Wednesday, September 2. Tristan is in 6th grade, which is middle school! Wow! Three days into school and he's had homework in math, language arts, and social studies. He's already used his flash drive and graph paper! (The school supplies get more expensive as they get older, huh?) Karina is in 3rd grade. In addition to cursive, they learn keyboarding (typing) in 3rd grade. (She already knows how to use PowerPoint better than I do.) And they get to learn about salmon in 3rd grade. Big field trip to the hatchery coming up. :) Washington is so weird and cool at the same time.

I will continue to substitute as an instructional assistant this year. I really enjoy working closely with kids who need a little extra help in school. It's also fun to have a job where you get all the same days off as your kids! Next summer, we're planning on fewer ball games and more fun - maybe a camping trip, hopefully a trip to see family, and definitely lots of free time.

Happy late 4th of July!

Written by Tristan

This past Fourth of July was perfect. One reason is because the temperature was perfect. Another is that we had family and friends come over. The last one was about the fireworks. We combined the amount of fireworks with the family across the street. So I hung out with the boy and his cousin from across the street, and Karina hung out with his sisters. But the fireworks were so awesome. We had about fifty big fireworks that go up in the air then explode, about fifteen army men coming down with parachutes, and tons of sparklers and pop-its. Towards the end of the fireworks, we went inside and had some homemade ice cream from an ice cream machine that a friend brought over. My ice cream had chocolate syrup, strawberries, a little bit of caramel, and whipped cream. After everyone was finished, we went out to see the rest of the fireworks. KKKAAAAABBBBBOOOOOOMMMM!!!!

First Piano Recital

Karina had her first piano recital last week! She began lessons in mid-March, so this was all very new. She played "My Heart Will Go On" as a duet with her piano teacher, Mrs. Kim. She did so awesome, not one mistake! Here's a video of her recital. Unfortunately I stood on the wrong side so you can't see Karina, but you can hear her playing the melody. Enjoy!

(and be sure to look below - I've posted twice in the same day!)

The Pirates' Last Game

Just some quick video of Tristan batting last night at his last playoff game. He hits a double here as the lead-off batter in the bottom of the first inning. He got another double in his 2nd at-bat! Unfortunately the Pirates lost 12-8, which ended their 3-game playoff week with them taking 4th place out of 6 teams. It's been a fun year. I think Tristan learned and grew a lot - he is becoming a great catcher in addition to playing his beloved first base.

Gone Fishing 2009

The last weekend of April marked 35 or 36 years of the Houser family fishing trip. I've been going since the year after we got married, so that would be 15 years! Every year we take a picture of the kids by the sign (which has changed over the years! I'll see if I can find the old pics and scan.) This year, Jarrett's grandfather came along. At 82, it's surprising that this was the first time he'd ever been fishing!

Karina was interested in the nightcrawlers. But her favorite part of the trip is always playing with Aunt Melissa's puppies, Gizmo and Chloe.

Tristan, like his dad, loves to fish. For him, I think it's the pure luck and competition of catching the biggest fish that keeps him going. We got to take our own boat this year, and Jarrett spent a lot of time and money getting us outfitted just right. (Right down to the stereo and bringing the iPod!)

The weather was pretty darn good, but I only got the camera out here for the last day, and it was windy.

As usual, I was behind the camera. But if there were a picture of me on this trip, it might be of me reading a book from cover to cover, or eating M&Ms and playing games. And yes, I do fish and have the license to prove it! This trip takes a ton of preparation, as we pack our lives into a motorhome for 5 days, but it's always very relaxing and a great family tradition.

Time Out for Women

Last month a few friends and I attended "Time Out for Women" in Seattle. We checked into a hotel downtown, ate dinner, and then went to the Benaroya Music Hall for the event.

That night and the next day there were several speakers and musicians who are members of our Church and gave messages to uplift and entertain thousands of women. My friends Mayte, Char, Michelle and I had a great time hanging out together, too. So much so that we were in desparate need of a nap upon returning home!

Home from Camp

Tristan came home from 5th grade camp this afternoon. He left Monday early and came home Wednesday afternoon. The camp is called Camp Casey on Whidbey Island (picture below). He got home, showered, ate, and then fell asleep! I haven't had a chance to talk with him much about it, but apparently he wore himself out! I know they ate tacos and lasagna; he didn't know anyone in his group but he made a friend; his high schooler counselor's name was Mikey; and his rocket took off far enough that he wasn't able to retrieve it! It's weird being home without one of my children, especially at night when he wasn't there in his bed. It was nice, though, to have a little one-on-one time with Karina. But we are glad T-bone is back home!