Sunday, January 30, 2011

Traders and Barbarians. . .

This afternoon we played a massive game of Settler's of Catan with Trader's and Barbarians. It was just what I needed. I've been tired lately. Too tired. So it was especially nice to enjoy the company of people I don't get to see very often and, of course, it's always nice to play Catan. . .


Zach combined pretty much every Catan game we own, with their expansions, to make this huge playing space:

It took almost as long to set it up as it did to play but who's keeping track when you're having fun? Actually, Mike kept track for awhile and I think it took over 18 minutes just to go around the table one time. And it's not like anyone was spacing off or messing around. We all took it seriously which is exactly how Catan should be played. . .


In the end, Matt was the champion!


I really, really think I need to do this more often. . .

Chad and Jeremy at The Egyptian







You can read more about the concert right here.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Ready or Not. . .

(Here I go, down Memory Lane again. . . )
It seems like just yesterday that I was having what my friend Sam called, "Kindergarten Hysteria". I had it bad. I didn't want to put my little Zach in a place where he would spend his days without me and where he would learn things that I didn't teach him. 13 years ago, there were very few options to choose from.
I visited the elementary school in our district and wanted to throw up when I walked in the door. Yeah. . . no. I drove out to Greenleaf and looked at the Friends Academy way, way, way out past Caldwell. I would have to either make that drive twice a day or put my baby on a bus. I had to say no to that one. I checked out Maranatha. Nope. I thought about home school. Yeah, right. I finally settled on Cole Valley Christian because on the day I visited they were learning about dinosaurs. Zach loved dinosaurs so I figured it must be a sign.
It really wasn't the best choice but it wasn't the worst either and I'm glad that I figured out that home schooling was the right option for him after all . . . but the point of the story is. . . that it was tough thinking about sending my little boy out into the world to face who-knows-what.
And here we are again. 13 years later. And I'm trying not to have "College Hysteria".
Zach has already made his choice- BSU - and I think it's a good choice for his first year but we visited the campus today to locate the testing place for his ACT test on Saturday and it just felt weird. Not bad-weird just surreal-weird. Can I really have an 18 year old who is graduating and getting ready for college? Didn't I just graduate from high school??
I guess maybe I've been in denial and now I have deadlines looming- transcripts, scholarship applications, financial aid, admissions, a cap and gown, planning a graduation ceremony. . .
I'm just not ready for this.
But ready or not, it's here. . .

Zach's Senior Pictures. . .

Click HERE to see Zach's senior pictures. . .

Thanks Melanie!!!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The End? Or The Beginning?

I realize it is January. But it feels like our busy summer season just ended and it should be time to take 6 months off before it takes off again. You know, to recover from doing this all summer:


I'm not complaining. I'm really not. When you own your own business, especially in the light of the current economy, busy is Good. What I'm trying to say is that we went from setting up for concerts all summer straight into building all of these lovely cases. . .


. . . and then, after a short break for birthdays and holidays, right into the BIG project. . .


Well, the BIG project is finished. And delivered.
It turned out really nice. . .




On one hand, it feels like we've wrapped up the season. We have closure. It's time to rest and recuperate for awhile.
On the other hand, it's almost February and the calls for summer concerts and festivals have already started coming in. The calendar is filling up.
So basically, I have less than four months to mentally and physically prepare for our busy summer season when it feels like the busy summer season just ended.
I'm not complaining. I'm just sayin'. . .

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Home

After driving a grand total of 1032 miles, it's good to be home.



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Park in Vale. 32 degrees. 6:27 pm.

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Tradition

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Burns!

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Somewhere between Bend and Burns

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Lunch in Bend 1:30 Boise Time

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Cade

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Somewhere between Eugene and Bend

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Headed Home

We left Eugene this morning around 10 am. I was reminded of how much I love visiting Oregon. Everything is so green and smells so fresh. Looking forward to a scenic trip home through Bend...



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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Wrapping Up

Zach tied for third place in the high school division and survived the verse off. Dinner was good and the swimming was fun for the kids. Its been a long day and Im tired! Even the floor cant keep me from sleeping tonight. I hope ...



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Round 18

Final talley: 10 wins, 8 losses.



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Round 15

5 more rounds. We have 9 wins and 5 losses.



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Middle School Team

Its a bummer that I dont get to watch the middle school team quiz but Samantha has been texting me lots of pics. Sounds like they are having fun!



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Steph

Steph memorized verses and its payin off!



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Round 11

These girls get the Miss Congeniality award. Very encouraging!



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Katrina

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