The School Year Begins

So the first day of the school year for 2010-2011 begins........on July 26th!  Yes that's early, especially compared to you East Coasters!  But it is what we're used to here in Chandler.  You brave the sleet and driving snow, we brave the  H - E - A - T !  Here are some pics of the kids on that first day;

Spenser, our big 5th grader!

And Sienna, our big 7th grader!

Here is what Spenser's send-off looked like -

 

And here is what Sienna's send-off looked like -

Happy B-day Sienna!

On this day 12 years ago, at 6:20 a.m., our world changed forever with the arrival of Miss Sienna Rose.  Her introduction to this world came with some drama, WAY too much pushing, and what can only be described as an arduous labor.  It's hard to believe looking at her now that she was ever so small (not that 9 lb. babies are small)!

So now our 9 lb. baby is 12 years old and starting junior high - tomorrow! 

Happy Birthday Sienna Rose!

B-Day Bash #2

Every young girl loves a sleepover don't they?  And why not have a sleepover at a beautiful resort hotel instead of your everyday house.  Invite two friends, bring a suitcase, and enjoy the last few days of summer vacation.  That is basically how Sienna celebrated her 12 birthday.

So we stayed at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Chandler.  Here is a view from our balcony.  It was a beautiful place on the indian reservation, so very tranquil and relaxing.

They had a cool waterslide reminiscent of the Casa Grande Ruins, and Sienna and her girlfriends are at the top.  Our package also included breakfast for two, so I treated the girls to breakfast in the restaurant.  It was lovely!

The girls spent most of the time swimming and laying out poolside.  We also came in to town for shopping, eating at the mall, and going to the movies (Eclipse for the 3rd time).  Rob and Spenser joined us one evening for cake,presents, and a swim.  Great time!

Happy Birthday Sienna!  Now tomorrow will be birthday number three!  (And your actual birthday)

Happy 12th Birthday Sienna!

Since we were in California in the middle of July, it was a great opportunity to celebrate Sienna's birthday with the California contingent of our family.  So my parents hosted a small party for Sienna, which she loved, since this means she gets more than one birthday party!

Here is Sienna in Papa Rose's dining room with her cake and balloons!

Here are all the party attendees, minus Tots and Peggy, who had to leave for a concert.

Here is what entertained most during the party........guitar hero!

So that was party number one.  Stay tuned for party number two!

Happy 42nd Wedding Anniversary!

While in SLO on vacation, my parents celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on July 6th.  We were camping at Lopez Lake on that day, and I posted a picture of our dinner that night to commemorate the event. 

As a surprise to my parents, I had a photo taken with my brothers.  Our studio session was a hoot as my younger brother Dan was quite a character.  Here are two of the better shots.

Long story short, my parents loved it.  The first picture is the one we had made into a wall portrait.  My brother Ken is celebrating his 5 year anniversary since his stem-cell transplant, so we wanted to make sure his LIVESTRONG bracelet was in the picture. You can just make it out in the bottom right corner.

Samour Summer

The Samours have been busy vacationing and enjoying their summer.  I'd like to share some of our fun with you.  I must apologize because it will not be in chronological order.  We spent 10 days on the east coast (check for updates and pictures later) and are currently in California.  Unfortunately,  Rob can't be with us the whole time because someone's got to pay for our excursions, so I'm blogging today to share with Rob our most recent experiences. 

Sienna and Spenser tent camped for the first time at Lopez Lake.  They did amazingly well, never got bored, and seemed to soak in and enjoy nature, which pleased their Papa to no end.

Camp set up begins.....

Spenser learns from the master...

Sienna helps too!

Camp Sienna and Spenser!

Waking up in the tent.  We survived!

Papa and Papa Rose celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary with our help.

Campfire time

Samours love SMORES!

Spenser catches his first fish, and it's a beauty!

Notice how much the pole is bent at the top!

Sienna was successful too!

Wishing We Were at the Wizarding World

This was supposed to be the summer we went to Florida for the first time, to witness the story of Harry Potter coming to life in Universal Orlando, and experiencing the balmy and blue beaches that the Florida coast has to offer.  Unfortunately, the dismal state of Arizona budget again cursed our plans.  It's not a good idea to book an expensive summer vacation when riffed from a teaching position.  You really can't spend money when you're not sure there will be any coming in.  The good news is that I'm not riffed, (but really too late to continue those summer plans), but this fire me then rehire me business is getting ridiculous.  I'm hoping next year will be the first year that the district doesn't repeat their mistakes. 

Today is the grand opening of the Wizarding World.  Since we couldn't be there, I've been watching The Today Show's coverage of all things Harry Potter.  Here are some pictures of this new park.  Just imagine pictures of the family in them!
  
 (Just picture me or Sienna holding hands with Daniel Radcliffe!!)


You know how much we like to meet celebrities.  Here are some of the other awesome cast members.  Wish I was in this picture!




Hagrid's Hut and Dumbledore's Office, two places I definitely want to visit.



There is really no reason to fret.  Our summer is not lost.  We are headed to the east coast tomorrow to visit family, sightsee in NYC (including the Late Show with David Letterman), and get some beach time.  Then we will head to the west coast, to visit other family, again get some beach time, and go camping.  Aahhhhh, ain't summer sweet!!!  And Harry Potter will just have to wait to see us...........................maybe fall break?