Pie! Jonathan's Birthday! June 18th

Again, it's been a month since Jonathan's 14th birthday! We celebrated the day after, because I had been to Girls Camp, and Jonathan had been to Zion's camp. Jonathan loves pie! So when we asked what he wanted, of course, he said pie. It was a nice day and so we ate outside on the deck. I can't believe that Jonathan is already 14. I can so clearly remember the day that he was born and the experience of having this little boy join our family. What is really scary, is that he will enter high school in the fall. . . . .

The pies hadn't quite cooled yet, so putting the candles in the pie made

them soft. Jonathan is ready to light,

but the wind is too strong and is causing a problem.

Dad and Sarah are waiting. . . .

and so is Katie and Martha.

We sang really fast when they all got lit! The pie was delicious! We had blackberry and cherry.

Girls Camp Crafts - 2010

It's been a month since Girls Camp. I wanted to post photos of what we did. I was really happy that the girls were excited with the craft projects this year! When I knew in January that I was organizing crafts, and then had a wedding to plan for May, I needed to decide early what we were going to do. Originally, it was just the graduations I was planning around. . . . but there was more.

I remembered from the past couple of years, that the girls like to do things with paper. The other thing they always ask if we are doing, is painting. What is it about paint and Girls Camp? I stuck with the paper.

I had some wood pieces left over from last year, so I wanted to use that. My girls checked out a couple of books from the library about that time. It was a book about projects with wallpaper. I was looking through and there was a project for making clocks. "Clocks! That's what we'll do!" I remember saying aloud.

So we cut down the size of the wood to 6" squares. The girls covered the front with printed card stock, then a solid piece on the back. There was a hole drilled in the center and the girls assembled the clock movement. Sounds easier than it was. Putting on those tiny pieces was not easy. Here are a couple of clocks that were made.

The next thing that we made was journals. Again, we used paper and the girls were very creative. We used composition books, only 25 cents at Target this week! We put plain colors on front and back and added a pattern paper for the binding. The finishing touch was a grosgrain ribbon around and fastened with velcro on the front. Some had the ribbon over the binding, some had it under.

The most favorite of all three projects was our CAUTION bag with zipper! No sewing! This bag project was found in another library book about making "bags". I was excited when I found that some projects didn't require a sewing machine.

The CAUTION bag was made out of CAUTION tape, duct tape, staples, zipper. First you make the "fabric" by using 4 strips of the CAUTION tape and duct tape. You over lap the duct tape and work the pieces up the back of the CAUTION. There was stapling, taping, trimming, stapling, taping, more stapling. The girls had so much fun making these. We even had a few leaders that were dying to make them.

With the girls, we used yellow duct tape. You can see on this example that Katie used lime green duct tape. I hadn't found yellow tape yet. However, we liked it with the green.

Girls Camp was very successful this year! I may even go back next year!

Where is Matthew?

I recently posted the photos of Matthew's graduation from UCLA. We were lucky to have him home for a day before he headed off to Singapore to work for a year. Earlier in the year, Matthew called me and asked what I thought about him taking a job overseas after graduation, and before Med School. I thought it was a wonderful idea! No better time for him to do something adventurous like this. The timing is perfect! He is single, therefore, travel easily. I remember when Scott and I moved to Germany for his post doctorate fellowship. It was four months after we were married. Scott was concerned about how I would stay busy while he was at work. I managed fine, and that's another topic. This will be a good time for Matthew! It's kind of like sending him on a mission again, but we can talk to him whenever we connect on Skype! I am borrowing a few photos from his Facebook page to share.

A few days after arriving, he ventured out and caught some of the city.

The Merlion is proof that he made it safely there!

I'm sure he will be happy eating asian food! He might want some

cornbread, or bbq steak when he gets home.

Matthew is living in a complex that is set up just for visiting students/workers. He thought he might have the tiniest room available. And, he does. You can see for yourself that there is just enough room to turn around and sit down on the bed. There is no air conditioning, I would die in Singapore without it, but he says he has a fan. . . . He's young and will adjust.

Along with a tiny bedroom, he gets a tiny bathroom! No surprise there. He's not complaining. He likes his work and the lab he is working in. Matthew is doing medical research. While he is in Singapore, he will be working on his Med School applications. His first level applications were all in before he left the states. Now he will wait for replies, and continue on in the process.

Happy 4th of July!

No photos to upload, no exciting happenings, just wanted to say how grateful I am to live in America! What a blessing it is to have the freedoms that we enjoy! I say, "thank you so much to all those that serve our country". I sleep well at night because of those that defend democracy.

There isn't a perfect way to say thanks!

Happy Birthday America!

Matthew's UCLA Graduation, June 12, 2010

So here we are, the next day, June 12, 2010 in Los Angeles to attend Matthew's graduation from UCLA! Those that would go was Scott, Sarah, and myself. We left Saratoga at 4:30 am and drove down to LA. We had called Matthew when we got in, but he wasn't available for us. When we arrived, we hadn't had breakfast yet, so we found a mall close to Matthew's apartment and found a place that served breakfast. This was about 10:30 am. After eating, we drove over to Matthew's place and changed our clothes.

Matthew drove us to campus in his car, as he knew where he was going! Arriving on campus, we took in the beauty of the place and walked around a little. We climbed those famous stairs and spent time around the library. Matthew met up with a friend and then it was on to the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the Ballroom at Ackerman Hall. The place was full and there were many excited family and friends. Those conducting the program asked that when the graduate was presented to stand and be recognized as well. I was very proud to stand and cheer Matthew on for his dedication and efforts. He earned the most difficult life science degree on campus, Neuroscience.

These are the events of the day:

Matthew had not tried the zipper on his gown to see if it worked until we

arrived on campus. Scott had to help him work the zipper. . .

Of course, there were phone calls, and friends to meet up with. Naturally, we needed to wait for him to make his plans. It was a beautiful day!

Matthew, Sarah, and Scott

Getting to the library.

Myself, Matthew, and Scott.

A pretty spot on campus.

Those famous stairs that lead to the library.

It is blurry, but here is Matthew being presented on stage.

Below, Scott, Matthew and myself in the Ballroom.

We were so glad that we made it to the graduation! Three in a row! Matthew took us to a Persian restaurant that he liked for an early dinner. Back to his apartment and backed up his things into the two cars. Scott and Matthew headed over to a friend to say goodbye, and Sarah and I started our drive back home. Arriving about 11:30 pm, we were all very tired, to say the least.

I feel very blessed by the events of this week in June. I love my children and all that they do. There has been much hard work for the four of our children to graduate, on different levels, and different experiences. I had been anticipating the four graduations since last year when I realized what would be happening. I was looking forward to the events. New milestones for our family. Then adding a wedding into the mix, our family has been greatly blessed.

Jonathan Graduation from Redwood Middle School June 11, 2010

A day after Katie's graduation, Jonathan had his graduation from Redwood Middle School. It was June 11, 2010. It was hotter than the day before and not as comfortable to sit through! Grandpa even went and bought cold waters. Before the afternoon was through, I had a sunburn on my neck!

This is another "I can't believe it" moment! Jonathan is our youngest and seems like last week when we brought him home from the hospital! He is growing so and is getting taller all the time. He has almost caught up to me. . . . It seems impossible that Jonathan will be entering high school in the fall. Wow! There is no more elementary or middle school for us!

The graduation was too long, too hot. but fun none the less. After the ceremony, the parents put on a party at the school. Jonathan had a great time and came home with some goodies! Flashing sunglasses, gift cards and good memories.

It is blurry, but this is Jonathan shaking hands with Mrs. Kelly Green, yep that's

her name, the principal of Redwood.

As you can see, Jonathan just loves having his picture taken!

Still unsure of the camera. . . .

Finally. Katie, Jonathan, Scott, Martha, Grandpa.

Below, Scott, Jonathan and myself.