EVERLASTING MEMORIES WITH FAMILY

So far, we have had some great weather, especially on the weekends. But, it is forecasted that rain maybe here for up to two weeks. We have been able to get some terrific hiking in and also have been able to take our Friday night walks to Starbucks (round trip close to 3 1/2 miles). We even walked one night with drizzle/mist from the rain. The air smells so fresh. The kids get a hot cocoa and we get a coffee and read the paper. We look forward to our Fridays.

We hike as often as the weather will let us. Last week, the boys and I went , and we found an old hand saw in an ancient tree. The tree was a hollowed oak, and the saw was lodged in the mid-section. We turned it in to the Vistor Center. It was a foggy day, but so beautiful as the fog went in between the hills.

Jeff and I coached soccer this past fall. Jeff U- 10's, and U-8's for me. This was my first time coaching soccer. It was a blast and I had a super asst. coach-Preston's teacher. We had a terrific summer watching the boys swim in their third season of being on the Dolphin Swim team. They also played baseball last spring too.

We went to Tahoe in July with Jeff's family for 6 days, Arizona for a week to see the Hanke family and welcome baby Madison, and I went to Hawaii in Aug. to check Laci into the dorm, as well as, visit all of my family! Mom came for a visit in Sept. to celebrate the "Teacher of the Year" event with me. It was amazing! We also made several trips to Sonora to see family there. We also went to Monterey, Santa Cruz, a Hawaii vs. San Jose football game, and A's games. We recently took the boys to an alumni game at Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock. Good Times!!!

Jeff teaches 6th grade with 30 students (homeroom). He changes kids for math and P.E. each day so the counts changes. Jeff also will start volunteering helping 6th graders with math after school. Jeff also takes math classes in hopes to get a degree in math, or at least have more knowledge of upper grade math.

I teach K-5 Reading Intervention. I see roughly 55 students, 4 days a week, and 30 on Wednesdays. I travel to two schools. I really love what I do and I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with so many children. I volunteer 3 days a week helping 4th graders with math after school. I took a graduate class last semester in Reading.

Laci is adjusting well in Hawaii, and we are so glad that she is happy. Austin is in the 4th grade and Preston is in 3rd. The boys are on their first recreational basketball team. We are constantly reminded of Laci because she played in the fourth grade too.

In late Feb. Jeff and I will attend an International Job Fair in San Francisco to hopefully teach somewhere out of the U.S. We will see. It has been a great experience just becoming candidates. The boys are excited of what the future may hold for them.