June updates

Okay, I haven't blogged in a while. Been working 50 hour weeks with a 1.5 hour commute people, gimme a break! :) And I haven't had any energy lately! I've been falling asleep at like 7:30pm. So one day last week I wasn't feeling so hot and actually got sick at school....are you following where I'm going with this yet?...Yes, we are expecting another baby! And it took me 2 - 3 months to figure it out :) So I don't know when we're due, January - February-ish. We just never slow down!

Toby is doing really well, learning lots of words. Mama, Dada, Nana, no, more, thank you, ball and bubble are some of the regulars. Still working on up and please... He went out to the barn with me yesterday and rode the tiny mini (my friend Kaila's pony)! I think he's even more addicted to horses than I am. He gets so mad when he has to get down :)

And 2 weeks ago, we FINALLY took Willow to a show. (we've been trying to go since February, but the weather has been most uncooperative!). Stephanie showed her in 1 flat class and 3 jumping classes (18" jumps). She did so well! She took like 8th place, but she was riding against a lot of old school horses who've been doing this forever. For her first jumping show and second show ever, she was awesome! I didn't end up showing because she did so well and was tired after the morning classes, so I gave her the afternoon off. She's super cute this year with all her dapples. Here's a pic of me messing around for a few minutes on her. I have no idea what I'm looking at...

That's all for now.

Our little Cowboy

Toby has officially begun his cowboy training! He took 2 laps around the barn yesterday! All those piggy back rides from Dad are paying off :)

Fingerpainting!

Toby did his first painting yesterday!

Not happy when it was time to be done!

In other news: I've got my own classroom now! I took over on Monday for Ms. Bauer at Kenmore Jr High teaching 7th grade life science. We're learning about the human body systems right now, and then we head into genetics and evolution (my favorite subjects!)

Toby's first birthday!

We had Toby's little birthday party at our house yesterday. Notice was very short, and only a few people were invited because of limited space and planning time. Layla was the only other baby in attendance! We had a pretty good time, and the little man was such the entertainer.

Toby with his birthday balloon

Can you say "Just gimme a Dr. Pepper?" (already emptied)

The cutest guest

Structural testing of the cupcake was essential before any tasting could be done!

After thorough investigation, the cupcake was deemed acceptable.

Completely unhindered by the fact that this present was bigger than he is!

Dad helping train Toby in the art of aerial assault!

Hard to tell who was having more fun...

Shark attack! The shark prevails as one of the favorite toys.

Big toy adventures

Toby's first big toy adventure! (From February)

Updates

Our family lost another great matriarch last week. My great grandmother, Faye Louk, passed away at 89 years of age. Services were held Tuesday in Sumner. Ted and I both took the day off to support my grandparents in the loss of a mother.

At the end of the day, we went to the park. Toby was climbing the big toy all by himself! And very keen to see what all that running water business was about in the creek. (Pics to come)

Today at Jenn's house Toby said "cheese" as he got his cheesy snack!!! It's all going so fast! I know, I sound like a broken record by now.

And I've got news on the job front... I got the maternity leave position in Northshore SD to start Mid-April and possibly continue to the end of the year!!! I'm very excited about the opportunity.

Today I subbed at SAS, the alternative secondary school in NSD. It was a great day! I got to play my fair share of 4-square (which I haven't done since elementary school, myself). The kids were working on a program called Garage Band, where they make songs by mixing tracks, writing music, and recording vocals (this was science class, mind you). It was also really great to catch up with a couple of my colleagues from UW's teaching program. I would love to spend more time there.

Grandma Jones

Grandma Elmoline Jones passed away Sunday night at 11:40 pm at 81 years of age. It has been a long and hard year for her battling bleeding ulcers, blood transfusions, dimentia, and the dialysis ceasing to work for her. She is in a better place now, but the world will not be the same without her. Funeral is Friday, February 22nd at 1pm at Evergreen Baptist Church in Renton.