Colton, Kylie and Maddie New Pics

I just wanted to post some new pictures of the kids!

Kylie waiting for the school bus!

Madelynn walking around outside. Waiting for Colton and Kylie to get home!

Colton and I

Madelynn loves the camera!!!

Madelynn's Hair

Maddies Hair has been a little crazy the past few days!!! Just wanted to show you her new look!!

Crysta and Ryan are..............................

going to have a baby! How exciting, it is due in MAY.

This ones for you mom...

So, mom is a little bit upset that no one ever gets on and posts any more, which I am not that good at I will admit! I figured I would get online and post a little post saying...

I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!

Thanks for being the best mom ever. I really will post my room pictures and give you the Kimber/Vuyk blogs, but I have just been a little busy. I still love you more then anything though! Thanks for all that you do.

I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!

IT'S OVER!!!

We voted tonight. 95% of Teachers agreed to the contract and we are going back to work tomorrow! I'm so excited to get back to work and see all my students.

http://www.kirotv.com/news/17457153/detail.html

An end to the Strike?!

As many of you know, the Bellevue Education Association has been on Strike since Sept 2nd.  The district and the union had all summer to agree on a contract for the next three years, but they failed, so on Sept 2nd, instead of returning to the classroom, I hit the streets with a picket sign in my hand.  We've been on strike for two weeks now, walking about 10 miles a day, back and forth, back and forth on the sidewalks in front of Interlake High School.  I've gotten to know my fellow co-workers really well.  But there may be an end in sight.  The Union and the District have reached a tentative agreement, and we vote tonight at 5 pm.  If the majority vote to accept the contract, I will be back in the classroom tomorrow morning, and my school year can finally begin, I can get some normalcy back in my life, and I will finally be able to get rid of my stupid picket sign!  I'll keep you posted!

This is my friend Stacey and I at a rally outside the District offices.  

Our Buddy Ike...

Well as some of you may know we have a visitor coming to the area - Ike - it is a Hurricane that is set to hit the Texas coast tomorrow. We are batting down the hatches and stocking up on water, food, candles, batteries and all that good stuff. He should be down to Tropical Storm strength when he gets to our area (40 - 75 mph winds) and is expected to spawn several tornados - and although I don't wish misfortune on anyone - I am hoping they stay to the east of us!

Just wanted to let everyone know we are fine and prepared for the next couple of days - we'll fill you in on all of our adventures (which will hopefully be few! ;-) ). And who knows maybe I'll get an exciting picture or two! hehe

Love you all!

Kristi

Oregon

After BYU beat UW (see post below), Rob and I raced back to Bellevue, jumped in my car and headed down to Oregon. We went to visit my friend Mary and her family. It was great to see them. Anytime they visit Portland I always go down to see them. It was Rob's fist time down there. We went to the Saturday Market in Portland, and then we went to Cannon Beach and stayed at her husband's family's beach house. We had a great time!

Mary and I at the Saturday Market in downtown Portland

Rob and I at the Saturday Market in downtown Portland.

Tillie and I letting it all hang out. 

RISE AND SHOUT THE COUGARS ARE OUT!

My two alma maters played each other last Saturday. I got my undergrad deg at BYU and my Masters deg at UW.  The game was at Husky stadium but we bought tickets through the BYU alumni association so we sat in the BYU section.  I, of course, was supporting BYU.  I never missed a home game during my 4 years in Utah.  Because we were sitting in the BYU section, Rob insisted on wearing a UW shirt...

As the game got underway, Rob quickly forgot what team he was supposed to be supporting and kept cheering for the RIGHT team!  About halfway through the game, Rob decided he need to wear the colors of the better team, so he covered up the t-shirt with my sweatshirt.  Can anyone say "fairweather fan"?!

I LOVE being a grandma!! (part II - the lake) ;-)

As you all may remember from part I - we rented a cabin on Hugo lake so that everyone could get together before the summer was gone. We had amazing weather with temps in the upper 80's and clear skys. I know there is a lot of pictures here, but with over 300 to choose from, this is but a portion of our time there! Hope you enjoy!!!

Me & Cecil with all 5 of our awesome grankids! How I love being a grandma and wouldn't trade the world for a single moment!

OK - our trip starting with the packing - had to make sure we didn't forget anything! ;-) (actually he loved being in that thing)

Then mamaw and papaw took off alone to get things set up before the troops arrived!

Although turns out papaw spent his few minutes of peace fishing while mamaw set up for the troops
When Stef & family arrived we took Skye on her very first boat ride - she loved it!!

We played at the park......

Played in the water...

Had a BLAST on the boat....

Ate a TON of food!!!

And just enjoyed spending time together...

We took some family pictures that really turned out good - you can certainly see the variety of personalities ;-)

Doesn't Kylie look so excited about the picture thing!

Then it was time for campfires, roasted marshmellows & smores....

Hey whose that kid in the background! hehe (goofball Colton)

Then celebrated Madelynn being 1!!! Is she too cute or what?

Yep - she's walking! Big girl!!

Blayne LOVED the cake!!

In the end we were all sad to leave - the kids all begged Papaw and Mamaw to buy the cabin and let us all live there together forever!!

We were tuckered out but loved every second of it and can't wait to get together again!

I am truly the luckiest mom & grandma ever!