Kudos for Connor!

Connor came home one afternoon and told me he got a certificate. I being the lovely mother that I am said great job honey and proceeded to go about my buisiness. Connor knowing me all too well followed me around and kept talking. I still wasn't catching on. Then he said, "And they'll be recognizing me at school for it...." I suddenly came around and realized it wasn't just a piece of paper saying, "Great job on you attendance" or some such thing. Connor had been chosen one of four students from his school to be recognized by a local club called the Optomist Club. They choose a seventh grade boy and girl and an eighth grade boy and girl from each of the middle schools to honor for their kindness and good attitude at school. The teachers vote for the student they think is deserving of recognition. The club has a breakfast for the kids and they give them acertificate and a gift card for being the great kids that they are.

We're so proud of you Connor. Keep up the good work!

Silver Falls

After the Easter egg hunt we invited ourselves to go with some friends to Silver Falls. We decided to take Hershey along too.
She had a good time and really loved playing in the stream for a little while. I just wish she would love her baths just as much!

Pete and Connor had been to Silver Falls but the girls and I hadn't been before. This is the first waterfall and we didn't go to the rest but I hope to sometime.

Hershey wasn't allowed on this part of the trail so Connor stayed behind while the rest of us headed down.

The kids liked the holes left from erosion.

" Look, it's the backside of water!"

We had a good time. We even hiked a bit more to go Geo Cashing. Connor is the one who finally found it. Way to go bud! It was such a beautiful day. It reminded me that we really do have nice days here.

Easter

They ward had an Easter activity and the Young Men were asked to get to the church at 7:30am on a Saturday morning to help out. They actually showed up! They had a good time hiding the Easter eggs for the younger kids. Some of the eggs were very easy and others....

were a little harder.

Courtney enjoyed her last year of finding Easter eggs.Mallory had been at a birthday slumber party and decided she would miss it this year. We had a great time and enjoyed our morning.

All Hail the Champion!!!

Your 2011 Melanson Family March Madness Bracket Challenge Champion

Congratulations to Julie who captured her 2nd consecutitve ncaa basketball tournament bracket challenge. That's right, two in a row. We upgraded the trophy this year but we still have to go down to the trophy shop and have her name etched in. One of the programs I helped manage at work changed their trophy design and we still had a couple of models left. I was able to convince them that our annual family challenge was worthy of the lead crystal trophy (light up base included to top it off). I don't know if Julie has found the spot she wants to keep it for the next year, but the 2" tall plastic cup from 2010 spent the year in the middle of the entertainment center. I assume this thing will not be hidden in the closet. It helps keep my brother, Mike, and I humble. The secret to her success, going with her gut and not watching any basketball over the year to cloud her judgement.

Also, big congratulations to our 9 year old niece who grabbed second place this year. Good job Anna.

A trip to Crescent City

I was able to go to Eureka to pick my mom up from the hospital. She had to have knee surgery done. On the way home to Crescent City we saw the local group of elk hanging out at the old school house so we stopped to take a couple of pictures.

They are so used to people that you can get pretty close. It's a little frightening. Mom and I had a good trip home ( I think. I hope my driving didn't make her too nervous!) And I was able to help mom out for a week. She's a trooper! We also stopped at the docks to see how the clean up was going after the Tsunami after shock came to town. The pictures don't show really well what was lost and damaged but it was a bit hashed. That used to be a boat.... Here's a bunch of debris that they had hauled out of the water and are sifting through.
And this thing takes up a large portion of the dock area. It has a crane on it that is getting things up from the bottom.
So that is the second Tsunami to have affected Crescent City. It is so strange that a Tsunami in Japan would reach all the way to the states.

Night of the Notables

Courtney had her Night of the Notables before I went to Crescent City. She was Eleanor Roosevelt. The kids have to learn about their person, write a paper on them and dress like them for their night. The adults have to ask yes or no questions to try to figure out who they are.
It is always a fun night. Pete likes to embarrass the kids. That's why he comes. (Other than supporting his kid.)

Last day in Cabo and home....

Mal took a picture of Pete and I because she's really loving being the photographer. The ship had moved a bit and we were able to see the arch from our room for awhile. This crew member did the Mickey in ice for an activity.

We went down to the Wavebands lounge to learn how to fold the towels into animals with Courtney and Mallory. This is our monkey.

Mallory made a really good friend on the cruise. I think she spent more time with Faith and her family than us!

This is our room with the beds down. It really was roomier than I had anticipated.

Pete and I went to the Wavebands lounge Adults only area to see the activities crew put on a skit. It was pretty funny!

This was the hall to wavebands and other adult only area's. The theme was route 66.

By the time we thought of getting pictures of the kids in their clubs, they were closed so we got pictures of the signs.

Connor liked the theater. Cheese!

Leaving the ship I saw Donald and a nephew on the back of it. I hadn't noticed them the whole time!

We had a wonderful time on the cruise. The kids loved the freedom that they had and Pete and I enjoyed our alone time, one on one time with the kids, and family time. A good vacation.