New Neighbors

We have some new neighbors (some of our dearest friends) and they now live three houses down from us! We're seen here enjoying some S'mores with them, in what is shamefully only the second time we've used the Chiminea! I'm ready to trade in our busy lifestyle for a one of laziness and indulgence!

Sam's First Grade Finale

Sam began summer break today after the elementary awards program in the gymnasium this morning. He gave this note and frame to his teacher, Mrs. Flaming.

Sam has done excellent this year, and received awards for citizenship, spelling (103 average, having never missed a word), reading (124.9 AR points and reading between the 3rd and 4th grade levels), and math (99 average on assessments).

Since the school is closing, I took several pictures and am posting them here for memories.
Sam's classmate, shown below, will be going to the same school as Sam next year. I wonder what was so funny. I love this smile of Sam's.
Top readers in the first grade received little trophies. You will also notice that Sam is by far the tallest in his class. He is also taller than all the 2nd graders. Apparently Russ grew like Sam is at present, played center on the junior high basketball team, but then only grew 1/2 an inch since then. I often wonder if I (and others) expect more out of Sam because he looks older than age 7.
I really kept my emotions in check this morning. I think because I had cried off and on since January, most of the tears were spent. But, when I walked into Sam's empty classroom, it hit me and other parents. Wow, this was it.

Mrs. Flaming gave a personalized scrapbook that she made to each of her students. She had some special projects of theirs, as well as, several pictures from events throughout the year in them. The pros and cons (and I'm still deciding which of those it is) of being part of a school as it closes is having your child's teacher go through and close out her classroom. That last week of school, Sam came home everyday with a box or bag full of "stuff" from old books, craft supplies, wall posters, you name it. I will be sorting through it all for awhile. And since, Sam's teacher was also Dellen's Cubbies teacher at church, she would send home extras of items to share with Dellen. My kids will put most of it to use though, and are enjoying the many new books they received.

Laundry Room

Red River Before and After

Alas, this final blog for Red River, pictured here below. It is such a quaint little town; I love it.

I can't believe it has been over a month already for me to complete these posts. Here you will see some "Before" and "After" shots in regards to how we used our little living quarters and the effects of the snow.

We used all of the available space each night to dry out clothes!

Some views driving there. The picture below is in Western Oklahoma and shows several wild turkeys. The males were strutting their stuff and fanning their feathers.

Driving into the mountains in New Mexico.

....and our journey down again the day after the snow.

Driving to...
Driving from...

A Garden Ambition

Alongside our painting projects and the end of the school year activities, we have been tilling up dirt and planting a garden. Russ did so much to prepare this approx. 8.5 x 16 foot spot for me. Dellen and I spent Tuesday morning of this week planting planting planting. We have corn, potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce, beans, peas, tomatoes, green and red peppers, strawberries, several herbs and varieties of hot peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, decorative gourds, and will be adding watermelon when Sam brings home those seedlings from school. I can just hear everyone now, saying that is too much for that spot. We just dreamed big and will enjoy whatever we get and love that it is fresh.

For several years, I've planted some favorite vegetables for salads and especially salsa. I needed to rotate the tomatoes out of the front flower area due to some disease. So that, and the desire for a work project for our four month long summer now that Sam will be out of school tomorrow, produced the garden pictured below. The logs in the distance are from our tree that was cut down a year ago. We've decided the large log will make a perfect perch for us. And the front flower bed has been cleaned out as well, and additional flower seeds planted to go alongside the mums. Morning glories will soon be vining over the archway. It really provides lovely shade for the porch and living room window during those hot summer months as the house faces west.

John Denver and Some Family History

Check out this post from my sister-in-law, Lori's blog.

http://realquicke.blogspot.com/2010/04/john-denver-and-35-year-wait.html

Some Painting

Here is a little peak into some of the painting we've been doing around the house. The hallway was finished this winter. The 1/2 bathroom was finished within the last couple of weeks. I've also just finished painting the laundry room, but am still putting that back together. I'll share a picture soon I hope.

Awana Crazy Hair Night

School Field Trip

We got home from the Globetrotters about 11:00 pm on a Thursday night. The following morning at 8:00 am, we were all on a school bus trekking back to OKC for Sam's school field trip to the zoo. Russ, Dellen and I were all able to attend the field trip. It was such a beautiful weather day.

I've put several pictures up for this post. It will serve as my memory keeper.

There was this precious new giraffe; I heard just two weeks old. I can hardly imagine. Anymore, I am absolutely loving giraffes. What an amazing creature of God's.

The boys in Sam's class.

Sam's class, minus one little girl.

Dellen squeezed in the below picture.

This is a Red Bud tree, and I believe it is the state tree for Oklahoma. The countryside is filled with these beautiful lavender trees at present. We have one that is larger than this one in our backyard, and I've really enjoyed it.

What a fun field trip today was. I'm really going to miss our school; it has been a small special family. I was thankful that Dellen was able to attend, and very thankful to be available to go with my children!