School Theme Days

70's Day

50's Day

Immigration Day

Derek's class has had various theme days throughout the school year. They finished off the year last week with 70's day which included a dance in the cafeteria complete with disco music and a disco ball.

Here are some slideshows that one of the parents put together:

Immigration Day

50's Day

Day With Paul and Agatha

Warming up before the game

Derek enjoys his roll as "bench coach in charge of substitutions" for Adam's team

Derek refers to his clipboard to see who needs to go in and who needs to go out

Ready for their day with Uncle Paul and Aunt Agatha

Adam talked Paul into a game of hockey after they got back home

Saturday May 15, 2010

Last weekend, Helen's brother Paul and his wife Agatha came over to see Adam's hockey game and then took the boys to the Varsity for lunch and then to see "The Allure of the Automobile" exhibition at the High Museum. The trip was a birthday gift from Paul and Agatha. All in all a great day and the boys really enjoyed it.

Derek's Graduation Yard Sign

Helen wipes her eye while posing. It took several days before she could look at the sign without tearing up.

Last Friday Derek got his elementary school graduation yard sign. Yards and subdivision entrances all over have signs congratulating all the graduates.

The elementary school is a such great school. It always feels like a fantasy land when we go there. Everything is so bright and cheery and you can't help but smile. It seems like our lives have been centered around the school for so long. For years we were anticipating the day when Derek would start and then when Adam would start...and now Derek is done. It went too fast. It's all going too fast.

Adam's Into His Book

We found Adam asleep in his bed with his head planted in the book he was reading

Mother's Day

Me and the boys made breakfast


Finally Helen gets put on a pedestal (or at least a footstool)

Adam's Mother's Day card that he made at school


Derek pulls the other kids at Helen's parent's house

Lindsay, Adam, and Brooke

Chris and Helen's mom read the Mother's Day cards that Derek made for them. Lindsay loves to be wherever Derek is.

Helen's dad plays Candy Land with the kids. The first game went quick, but the second game was one of those marathons that grownup's dread.

Helen's brother's, Paul and Michael, put on a fish fry

Adam loves fish

I made the desserts - peach cobbler and chocolate mousse pie

Helen prepares a string to tie around Derek's tooth. Helen's dad offered Derek $3 if Derek would let him pull the tooth.

Derek shows off the tooth

...and the money

One more ride before heading home

Sunday May 9, 2010

There are more pictures from Mother's Day on Chris's blog.

Blue Mountain Beach: Day 8 of 8

Relaxing and reflecting on the week for a few minutes before heading out

Last goodbyes


Playing in Alys Beach





Big house next to Alys Beach. Adam says, "A rich person must live there."

Going to take a look at the water

The feel is kind of eerie in that the development just never filled in like planned

View of beach from observation tower

Checking out the shops in Seaside

Break for lunch

Some ice cream before heading back home

Saturday April 10, 2010

It was another successful beach vacation with my extended family. We all have this beach vacation thing down pretty good now after all these years. Everyone does a nice job of pitching in so that no one person\family feels too much of the burden. One of the worst things that can happen with one of these big group vacations is when one person\family feels like they're hosting a big party for everyone else.

It's such a nice tradition, especially with everyone living so far apart, to set aside a time when we can all get together. And the beach is a great place to do nothing and just be together. I don't generally like to do nothing, but it seems like the best way to do a big family vacation. Trying to coordinate activities and dining out with a big group is asking for trouble.

It was such a nice day that we decided to drive down 30-A and visit some of the other beach towns before heading back home.

Blue Mountain Beach: Day 7 of 8

Derek and Adam put together one of their new Lego sets

Kelley's on beach sandwich duty

Helen cuddles with Adam and gives the #1 sign to signify that it's the best

Enjoying a calm day in the water following a couple of rough ones

Derek tries to catch a wave

Jason shows perfect form

Crystal clear

Adam tries to see if he can escape with is feet buried in sand

Derek skim boards into the surf

Jason our bar tender kept the drinks flowing all week

Adam plays before the traditional last day photo shoot

Kelley and Paul

Love the lighting and colors at the beach in evening

Laine and Jason

Kelley, Mom, and Katie

Sisters are all smiles

Jason and Mom

Derek in the fading light

Brothers and Sisters

...and Mom

Helen and her baby

Helen and her big baby

Helen and her biggest baby

Some games before packing

Friday April 9, 2010