Friday Fun

Megan is one of my dear friends. I really, really adore her. I hadn't seen her since March, so we decided to get together for breakfast. It was a pretty awesome hour catching up and eating delicious pancakes at The Original Pancake House.

After breakfast, I taught Avery a long overdue piano lesson. She is a rockstar. I just assigned her the last few pages in her second book. She is a delight to teach because she picks up on everything so quickly. I'm glad that Natalie lets me teach her piano.

Natalie, the kids, and I were going to go to Red Butte but they wouldn't let me in on their pass, so we went to This is the Place instead. It was hot, but fun. Thanks to Natalie for letting me tag along. Here are some pictures:

Family Reunion in Boise

My mom hosted an amazing family reunion for the Rasmussen family. The theme was Olympics. Each family was responsible to make a flag. We sang the Olympic song for the opening ceremonies, then played lots of games. After swimming in the afternoon (I got a HORRIBLE sunburn), we had a family lip sync. It was fun.

 I love Lola!

 Hiding in the shade. It was super sunny and hot! We all crammed ourselves into the shade.

 Javelin toss

 Baby Bridget

 Water balloon discuss. Avery used the backward, over the shoulder technique.

 Kids were crawling in the tree.

 Lucy and Lola LOVE each other!

 I adore Avery. This picture shows how grown-up she is getting.

 In the middle of the Bocce action.

 Again, hiding in the shade.

 Right before the relay.

 Tom and Tai

 Lola and Natalie

 Grandma Rasmussen with Mads. He is my new baby nephew that I couldn't get enough of.

 Lola and Lucy playing the "harp" on the hammock

 Mom and Mads

 Mads played Yoda in the lip sync

 Lucy, Nick, Lola, Keyton, Mads, Lachelle

 Too funny

 Did I mention that I think Mads is super cute?

Rasmussen Reunion in Mink Creek

I missed this reunion last year because I was at Colonial Williamsburg. I'm happy that I was able to make it this year. I love Uncle Garland's park, the dutch oven potatoes, sleeping under the stars, and thinking about my grandpa. This area of Idaho is really beautiful. One of my mom's cousins brought a rock wall from the Ogden City Search & Rescue. It provided hours and hours of entertainment.

 Avery had fun improving her skills.

 Aidan is growing up.

 Natalie got in on the action. She was a natural.

 Aidan, Sage, Lucy, Avery, Sadie, and Kade

 What a face!

 Sage was nice enough to go around and help Lucy with the games.

 Aidan reached the top... several times.

 Lucy got in the harness, but didn't climb.

 What would the reunion be without the train?

 Candid shot of Mike, Grandma, and Uncle Ryan.

Natalie, Me, Dad, Sage

Play Mentor Program

Last summer, I decided to try something new. I signed up to volunteer with the IRC in Salt Lake City. The process of training and background checks and finding the right person to work with took several months. I was assigned to visit a Karen girl from Burma weekly for six months. She is 14 years old. She's got  four brothers who are 16, 11, 6, and 3 months. I went every Wednesday and we did all sorts of stuff: homework, English practice, immunization appointments, library cards, parks, walks, shopping, etc.

One day in May, I took her and two of her brothers to hike the U. They raced up the hill and then sat on the top of the U for about 25 minutes just chatting with each other and pointing out birds and bikers and clouds. They approached that little hike with so much wonder. I learned a lot working with this family. I am grateful for programs like the IRC who help refugees adjust to life here.

Teacher Blog

I started a teacher blog. I've gotten so many great ideas and freebies from other blogs, so it just seems right to share the things that have worked for me and the things I create. With a new language arts core and the two new grade levels I'll be teaching next year, I'm sure I'll be doing lots of creating. You are welcome to check it out at http://workinghardandlearning.blogspot.com/