Seattle/Portland

Jason and I went to the NW for a friends wedding this past week. We stayed a few days in Portland with an old friend we knew when we lived in New Mexico that now lives in Portland. He drove us around and showed us the sites. It was nice to have a tour guide! We saw a few falls, lots of boats, went to a Portland Beavers Minor League game, and had a Voodoo Donut!

Wednesday we then did a day of temples. We went to the Portland Temple in the morning, then the Seattle Temple that night. (Josh has decided he is getting married in Seattle - because it has escalators).

We spend Thursday in Seattle. We did a Duck Tour and saw all the sites. Saw the Space Needle, but didn't go up it. We then went to Pikes Market. All they threw were T-shirts. We wanted to see them throw a fish - but we weren't sure how to get a Salmon as long as Ashley on the plane home so we were just happy to see them throw the t-shirt.

Friday we got on a Ferry (after waiting for 4 hours in line - which is short compared to the poor people about 10 cars behind us who got to wait another 2-4 hours past that). We headed to Lopez Island. It was pretty. A nice relaxing place to be for a few days. It was a nice wedding.

We then took the Ferry back and just hung out in Seattle for the day. We decided we weren't meant to live in Portland or Seattle. We aren't trendy enough and with kids we really don't fit in well. It was a nice place to visit. I can say I've been there. I don't have any plans to go back anytime soon but it was a nice relaxing week.

Now we get to get ready for school!

What I did this June

In between Summer Enrichment sessions we started finishing our basement bathroom.

Sheetrock - just plain.

First coat of mud (it could be the 2nd or 3rd...they all look alike on film)

Textured

Primed

Painted - You may recognize the green from the upstairs bathroom. Jason will be proud - instead of buying new paint I used some we already had.

We still need to tile (they are in the back of the Explorer if the tiling fairy wants to come work on it) And then put all the stuff in it. Being a Jensen household it will be nice to finally have 2 working toilets!

Little May Hailstorm

Ashleys Baptism

Here are some pics from Ashleys Baptism. Yes I know it was almost a month ago. If you haven't noticed the last post was from September 09 - be greatful these aren't being posted in August.

1st Day of School

Josh and Ashley went back to school on Tuesday. Its hard to believe they are 2nd and 5th Graders. They both had a good day. Ashley got glasses over the summer and was a bit nervous about going back to school with them for the first time. Josh starts band and orchestra this year so that will keep him busy.

Josh and Ashley 2nd grade and 5th grade.

Josh Read to go.

Notice the boots...I'm suprised she takes them off to to go sleep.

Jason didn't take my picture my first day of school...but that could be because he was still in bed when I left for work. I have 5 students. 4 girls and 1 boy. It should be a fun group. I have 2 quiet girls, 2 not so quiet girls, and my boy is right in the middle. All 5 seem to be quite sharp so we should be able to do some fun activities. Jason gives me a hard time about working in a rural school. When I got up at 5:30 to get to work he asked if I was going to gather the eggs before I left. Earlier he asked if I was going to learn to speak "Rancher". Spanish did come in handy those 2 years at Meadowlark...maybe this is when I get to use the Agroecology and Soils class I took.

Waiting by the phone

We are cat sitting this week while Jed and Joyce are off exploring the world. We have had their new kitten for about a week now and I guess he is lonely and waiting for Jed to call and tell him how much he missed him.

Its been a long wait...he couldn't take it anymore.

The weeks events

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who reads this blog...but that's OK.
Tuesday I found out I have been accepted into Western Kentucky University's graduate program. I will begin working on my Gifted and Talented Endorsement in August. Its 3 classes and a practicum so not to bad. It do get to spend 2 weeks in Bowling Green next June...Jason said he and the kids would go with me, not sure what you do in Bowling Green for 2 weeks...we will see what happens come next spring.

I am busy typing lesson plans and getting ready for summer school. Our principal wants all our lesson plans by the first day. I don't work well that way, I like to go a week at a time. I figure I'll turn them in, and then change them as needed once I get in the classroom and realize that what I planned wasn't anything that the kids needed to work on. They are pretty general and vague and I hope they pass inspection. We will find out in 11 days I guess.

I have had a couple of job interviews this past week or so. One from the 25th I still haven't heard back from, but it was just a preliminary interview and I was told I wouldn't hear anything til after the 4th. I had another one on Tuesday and on Wednesday I was offered a job as a Kindergarten teacher at Recluse Elementary. Yes, I took the job. Its a part time position so I will work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. My principal told me that I will have 5 students this year. They only do Kindergarten 3 days a week, so I have my own classroom and won't be team teaching. The other two days I can stay home, catch up on planning and all the lovely classes that come with being a first year teacher. I will have a 35 mile drive every day...so Jason is busy scanning the car lot for a car that gets better gas mileage than the Explorer. We will still keep it and trade in the truck just cause it is Wyoming and it does have a tendency to snow once and a while.

Josh had a good birthday. We went to the Great Wall for dinner...I was surprised at his pick...but both kids love the noodles and I was grateful not to have to eat a Big Mac. When we got done we went to K-mart and found a drum kit for the PlayStation on clearance. Josh and Jason play together every night...Josh on the guitar, Jason on the drums. Jason doesn't like the guitar from guitar hero so much...guess its cause its not one of his hanging in the basement and doesn't play real music. But they are both happy so it was $17 well spent!

Ashley just finished Summer Enrichment. She had a great time and had to show off some of her skills from her Camp out Cooking class when we went camping last weekend. Josh goes to his session the 13th.

Jason is busy at work....although I don't think he is too busy today since he just called to ask me to "Name that Tune". You just never know over there.

Well that's us!