The Ceiling Can't Hold Us

 Our friends, the Muehlenbruchs, teach at Emerald Ridge with Chris. Last year Ben and Jenni got the wonderful idea to make a staff video to play at the first pep rally of the school year for the high schoolers. This year they chose to make a parody of Macklemore's The Ceiling Can't Hold Us. In his video for that song, Macklemore shows a flag that represents him and its journey through the Northwest. In ER's video, they kept the same idea and followed the Jag Nation flag until it rests on the top of the high school. The Muehlenbruchs organized a filming day with a large group of the staff and Leila and I got to come along. We started that morning at Owen Beach, then to the zoo, then a ferry ride to Vashon and back, a drive around the Pt Defiance 5 mile loop and then, finally froyo at Yeti Yogurt. Whew, what a day! The picture above is the school's principal skipping rocks with all the Jag kiddos. 

Leila and Ainsley in their Jag Swag

All the kids had a scene in the video too!

Planning the next scene...

The kids had a great time waving to the cars as they drove onto the ferry. 

Kindergarten, Here She Comes!

 The last week of August we had the opportunity to spend a few hours at Leila's school and meet her kindergarten teacher prior to the first day of school. It was so nice to be able to see her classroom, meet Mrs. Madsen, show Leila the playground and walk around Woodland Elementary with our soon to be kindergartener. I really appreciated the fact that we can truly picture Leila in her classroom learning this fall now that we have seen her room. 

J and A are MARRIED!

 Amanda and Jonny had a perfect wedding in Mt. Shasta! It was held in Amanda's parents' backyard...at the home where she was grew up. Her parents also got married in this backyard! How special!! The forecast leading up the the wedding was calling for temperatures of 103 plus. I was so worried that we were gonna wilt in the heat, but the day was PERFECT! It was a pleasant summer evening...warm enough to not even wear a sweater until late in the evening, but not too hot where it becomes stifling. Thank goodness! The backyard was gorgeous!! 

Leila and Johanna were flower girls. 

The flower girls with the groom. My brother looked so handsome. 

Mr. and Mrs. Simons!! What a beautiful couple!

The kids' table...

We got to meet my cousin's little guy, Charlie. Such a cutie.

My cousin, Elisabeth, and Sergio.

As the evening set in, the lights came on over the backyard. It couldn't have been any prettier. Congratulations, Jon and Amanda! We love you so much!! 

Shasta Bound

 Two days after Leila's birthday, we packed up the car...and lots of sound equipment...to head south for my brother's wedding!! The wedding was in Shasta, Ca so we drove to Mom's house in Portland, spent the night and then drove down the following day to CA. We knew Leila would have quite a weekend full of "grown-up things" and would have to sit for a long drive, so we planned a stop before Mom's to check out Fort Vancouver. I had been there in elementary school when we lived in Vancouver, but hadn't been there since. We had a great time! We lucked out and saw three working blacksmiths in the shop. Leila earned her second junior ranger badge! We got in free with our Mt. Rainier National Park pass that we purchased way back in January to go sledding (that pass lasts a year and sure paid for itself this summer!!). 

 The carpenter's shop. 

Leila is working on her junior ranger activities in the Counting House (the building that was used to count the furs). 

I took this picture of this sign because I loved what it said about the color of the paint on the wall. Being a Northwest native, I can totally appreciate it! 

 Inside the lookout tower. 

Earning her badge. 

After we explored every part of the fort, we ate some lunch and then went across the street to this FABULOUS park! It was HUGE!