Finishing up School and other fun

I spent a long weekend with Ingrid Olson and some new friends getting my certification from Les Mills to be a RPM/Spin instructor. This is something I have really really wanted to do for a long time, just never got around to it. I had to film myself teaching a class after the weekend of instruction and it was tough! I had to send it to an assessor and wait to see if I passed. Torture...I passed!!! So I have been subbing for now at Spokane fitness center and I hope to get a class eventually.  Hooray for trying new things.

We went to Lonestar to celebrate the last days of school and to use our coupons we got for the botched dinners we had in St. George.  

A few last day of school pictures.  Josie with Colby who religiously walked to school together, the annual jumping for joy shot and Josie with Mrs. Cong one last time.  Farewell 3rd and 7th grade.

For the last 6 months I have been working very hard to get a gate put in to protect our neighborhood from traffic coming through our private roads to a new subdivision going in right behind us.  BOOO HOOO.  I am sick about losing all the open space behind us.  I was piping mad about the road being punched into access it.  So I did something about it.  Lots of tears, phone calls, emails, crying begging and pleading.  I am now on a first name basis with the county commissioner, the county legal team and land development, some fire department folks and other people I wish I never ever met.  So much red tape it is rediculous.  It still has the potential to be removed, but it is in for now and I am so grateful that I stuck with it.  There were a lot of doubters out there and people who tried to stop it.  Prayers are answered.  Now I just need to keep praying that it will stay forever.  Gate finally went in June 16th,  2016. 

Shauna, me, Jenn, Marlana, Ingrid, Elizabeth, Kristi, Clint

Me and Ingrid - she was an amazing instructor

Early June

Kevin went on a biking trip to Seattle. They were only able to ride the Tiger Summit trail before Brian crashed and broke some ribs. Such a bummer. Chris was able to meet them for this ride, which was a nice treat.  There was some really hot days in early June so when Kevin came home a little early one afternoon we jumped at the chance to take the paddle boards down the Little Spokane.  We had a really nice time.  Lincoln has been dying to get his big bike out on the trails.  We finally got him out and he rocked it of course.  

Headed into June

Shoemakers come to visit! We were lucky enough to eat dinner with the Shoemakers as they came to Spokane for a quick visit. We sure love this family and hate that they moved away. Kevin and I got to do a quick ride up to Mount Spokane. Love the view up there. Josie and I got to go on the 3rd grade field trip.  We spent the day exploring riverfront park. 

Palouse Falls

The Palouse Falls have been on my bucket list since we moved here. We went with the Wilson's Memorial Day weekend. They were pretty incredible. They are so out of place. There is a trail down to where the falls drop and then a super treacherous trail to the very bottom. We opted for the top trail. Honestly the view was much better from afar...where we parked the car. We were glad we did the hike though, after all that is why we came.  After the hike we had a picnic and tortured Ginger with snake sightings. 

Final May Happenings

Kevin and I got to go see the Piano Guys. So good! We had really great seats and it was a fun date night for sure.  Then we got to listen to our own piano Conor at his annual spring recital.  He is getting really good.  Lincoln had a graduation party at Chuckee Cheese, he looked forward to it for months.  He had a great year with his teacher Ms. Becki.   Spring means lots of great mountain biking.  Here are a few favorite shots. 

1st 1/2 of May Happenings

I got to go on a field trip with Lincoln's preschool class to the fire station. Always a cool thing-my favorite is listening to the answers the kids give to questions. Clearly we need to work on fire safety at our house.  Speaking of fire, we had our first backyard cookout for the season.  We have crappy houses being build right behind us so we need to enjoy or privacy while we can.

Lincoln's preschool had a bicycle rally.  He loved it.  He had the biggest bike there and he was by far the best rider.  He lapped most of the kids many many times.  He is getting so so big!  He is my buddy and best company ever.  I never go anywhere without him it seems.  He helps me push the shopping cart and pick out groceries and run errands.  I will miss him when he heads to kindergarten next year.  He is so ready though.

We made these cute flip flops at activity days this spring.  We have a great group of girls who are eager to learn and play and laugh and love.

Just had to include this picture of Lincoln pretend driving the army truck.  He thought he was hot stuff.

Big news for Conor!  He ran for  student council secretary and made it!  I am so excited for him.  In fact, I think I was more excited for him then he was.  We made awesome posters that I have no pictures of, and he really was very responsible about it.  The final 2 in his primary was him and Angelina, a gal from our ward...awkward! 

Conor participated in 2 bands this year.  Cadet and Jazz 2.  He played the piano for jazz 2 and got up early twice a week to go.  What a trooper.  He won't have time to do the jazz next year with student council, but he doesn't mind.  He had his first marching band experience.  They participate in the Jr. Lilac parade.  It was fun to see him do that.  He is so little and hard to see behind the drums and big horns, but he did great.