Someone from my side of the family!!

Yes, finally someone from my side of the family came to visit. Usually it is all Layers that visit but finally my brother and his wife Holly showed me and the kids some love! They of course thought DuPont was beautiful. We took a short walk to the Sound from my house and enjoyed the not so warm weather! Dave even helped me put together my Shelf Reliance shelves. I'm really glad I didn't try to put that together by myself. Thanks Dave! Thanks for coming to visit too!

My brother, Dave and his wife, Holly
June 7, 2008

Uncle Dave with Brett and Jenny

The beautiful Sound. Yep, had to explain what "The Sound" was. That was nice because usually my brother is the one that makes me look really ...um , idiotic.Just a cool pic of the boys.

Math Relay

Brett had his Math Relay on the 6th as well. I didn't realize what a big deal this is! It was a huge deal. There were 90 teams there! Each school had between 1-4 teams. Our school had 3 teams. Brett was on team 1. He practiced a lot! He would set up the course in our back yard and I would hang out by the window because it was cold outside and I showed him his math facts. Anyways, his team came in 9th place out of 90 teams! Not bad! That was exciting. But, they also got the Sportsmanship Award/Plaque. That was Fantastic too! An added bonus was that their coach shaved his head in front of the whole school because their teams got the Sportsmanship Award.

DJ, Brett and Micah taking a break from the rain! It rained and rained that day!

A look at the field where it all happened!

Logan, Chris and Brett hanging out it the stands.

Wacky Hair Day

On June 6th, the kids school had its annual Wacky Hair Day! This year I broke down and got some green and blue (school colors) hair spray. The kids loved it. I decided it wasn't so bad. I couldn't help thinking that my own mother would have never let me go to school with blue or green hair. Although, she did let me go to school with messy hair somewhat often! Couldn't seem to keep hairbrushes around my house growing up. I think that is because my brother Matt would hide them for some reason. We will never know the reason either.

The Blue and Green People

Love the hair!

High School Musical

The High School Musical Broadway Show was a blast. This is the true reason we headed to Portland in the first place! Not only did the 3 girls (Darci, Jenny and Sophie) like it but so did the 3 BIG girls ( Me, Amber and Bev). The theater was in walking distance from our hotel so we headed down after looking at dinosaurs and enjoying some free entertainment which was a clogging dance company. Oh, and some little ladies who were about 70-80 years old dancing some folk dances for all of us spectators.

Darci, Jenny and Sophie with their new fans.

Jenny and Sophie outside of the theater. Jenny loved the show. Sophie...she was a bit bored I think. Almost fell asleep in my lap.

The big HSM curtain

After the show the actors came out back and signed autographs. Here, in the brown shirt, is the cool skater dude who loves to play the cello.

And here is Gabriella hiding her pretty locks. We didn't get any autographs but my niece, Darci actually got Sharpay to sign her shirt without her mom's approval!

Portland Trip

Now that it has been a month since we went to Portland to see HSM I think I will write about it. We drove down on Friday and I thought it would be so easy to get there. Well, all was great til I got to the city and then they had all these detours and one way roads and I couldn't figure out how to get to the hotel. After an hour I called the hotel and they told me a very simple way to get there. I called my in-laws who were arriving later how to get there and they only drove in the downtown area for 5 minutes. Well, it was the Rose Festival that weekend (thus the detours) so we were able to see a FANTASTIC fireworks show that night. Then we walked along the river and there were all sorts of things going on. We went to a mini dinosaur museum that they set up right there on the water front. The kids had a great time. There was also a parade the next evening which we went to. We had a nice long, long walk with hundreds or maybe thousands of people all squished in to see the parade. Sophie, Brett, Luke, Bev and I tried to leave early and almost didn't make it out because of the crowds but a security guard had pity on me and help us get across the parade street to freedom. Jenny, Darci, Aunt Amber and Grandpa Duck got home an hour or so later.

Sophie and I in Portland

Brett, Luke and Sophie posing with the dinos.

Princess Party and Then Some

May 27, 2008

Sophie had a wonderful party this year. She decided long ago that she was going to have a princess party! So, we invited lots of little friend princesses (she would have loved to invite about 10 more) and had a ball! When the girls arrived they all got to sit in the "Throne" and get their pictures taken with lots of princesses like Belle, Ariel, Cinderella and a couple others. I took everyone's picture except Sophie's! Hmmm, how did that happen? I still have the wall paper so will have to put it back up and get one of her. Well, Jenny dressed as Snow White and was my helper! The girls all loved her! They played musical chairs with their favorite princess music. I think Emma new all the songs and could tell me what movie they went to. She was good. They also pretended they were on Prince Eric's ship and went fishing. And then they tried to put Cinderella in the right window next to all the other princesses: Stick the Princess on the Castle. Oh, and I can't forget the Princess Pinata! They all had a great time. Then they got to choose a princess cupcake and a princess juice box. The best part was that they all got a prize after every game and no one was sad even for a second. I call that a huge success!! Sophie, I love that you love princesses! It is so fun to see you dressed up nearly everyday in a pretty dress! You especially love to dress up with friends! We had a great day!

Sophie's Birthday

Because Sophie was having a "friend" birthday party on the 27th, we just did a little something on her actual May 26th birthday. She got to open all her family presents which was fun. Dad got her a whole set of princess books which she loved opening. She also got a "My Size Throne" which we used for her party. The throne is great because when you sit on it, it plays the march type music that you hear when royalty enters the room. It's great. She had a fun time opening all her presents. Her wonderful Sunbeam teacher from church brought her a chocolate chip cookie cake! It was delicious! Thanks so much Rachel! Sophie loved it! Sophie is now 4 years old! Wow! My baby isn't a baby anymore (and hasn't been for quite awhile)!!

Twilight News

Maybe I should start a "Twilight Wednesday" or something like that! MTV has a Twilight Tuesday which is where I got this recent bit of exciting news. Although, I won't be able to revel in the happiness and euphoria because I will be gone. Yes, I'll be far far away on August 12 and nowhere close to a Breaking Dawn Concert that Stephenie Meyer and Blue October will be putting on. Tickets are only $20! Well, here are the places and the dates:
· 8/1 - New York City @ Nokia Theatre at Times Square
· 8/5 - Chicago @ Harris Theater
· 8/7 - Los Angeles @ Royce Hall
· 8/12 - Seattle @ Benaroya Hall

Tickets go on sale on June 21st. My first thought was," Well, I could skip the family reunion...after all, it is Dave's reunion and he won't even be there!" Then, I quickly looked at my priorities and laughed that idea right out of my head! Family Camp will be lots of fun! Oh, what could have been... to all my Rochester, NY friends: take that 6 hr. drive to NYC and have a blast! That would be the ultimate Book Release Party huh? And to all my DuPont, WA friends: take that really long one hour drive to Seattle and have a great time and if anyone does go take one of my books to have her sign! Although, I don't know if you can have two things signed...sounds like lots of fun!!

Prince Caspian

Well, I took the kids to see Prince Caspian at the theater over Memorial Day weekend! It was really good. Not as good as the book and not as good as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe but we really did like it. Although, I don't recommend bringing a 4 year old to it. Lots of fighting. No blood flying though so that was good! Hardly any blood at all really. Just a cut lip here or there. Plus, it is fun to see what Brettthinks of it because he has read all the books as well. He actually remembers the books way better that I do. So, now I feel I have to read the books again. Well, I know they are doing another movie from the Chronicles but I'm not sure which one. I really love The Last Battle so maybe they'll do that one. I think I like any book that I can relate to in regards to my beliefs. That's why I love Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure if that is why I love The Twilight Saga! I do believe in eternal love and companionship! Well, I do have Twilight news but that will have to wait til tomorrow!

Piano Recital

Well, Brett and Jenny had their piano recital and I sure am glad that they enjoy playing the piano and learning! They both did great jobs. Seriously. Jenny played "Oh Where is My Hair Brush" And Brett played the "Maple Leaf Rag". I tried the other day to upload the video but it didn't work so for now I will just post some pictures. They are going to do it this summer during Family Camp at Aspen Grove...finally some talent to share. Last time I had to make up a skit! I have to admit it was funny...about saving $10,000 on car insurance by switching to Geico, 20 years from now and about Dave being a super hero. Hmmm I have pictures of that. Anyways, for now enjoy these pics!!

Brett and Jenny with their piano instructor




Jenny waiting for her turn to perform



Brett performing !

Breaking Dawn Cover is here!

Here is the cover for Breaking Dawn!!
I am writing some of my ideas or predictions about Breaking Dawn so if you don't want to hear don't read this OK?!!! Because I may just be right! hehehe!
I'm not sure if I like the cover or not but maybe it will grow on me. This is a queen right. Hmmm? OK. Bella is the queen and is powerful. WOAH! Queens are the most powerful player in chess and ultimately protects the king...and meanwhile tries to get the other king. Oh yeah, this book is gonna be good. Once Bella becomes a vampire she is gonna take down the Volturi! Because she is going to be more powerful than them. Whose the pawn? I don't think it is Edward or Jacob...definitely the Volturi...or maybe it is Edward and Jacob. Don't know. I copied this image from Barnes and Noble so I may have just broken the law. I hope not! Plus the image isn't that clear. Oh well, it is still an exciting day!