The Beginning of May

One of my goals has been to post more frequently so that each post doesn't get quite so long. Sometimes that works, and sometimes I don't feel like I have enough pictures to share. And yet I really like to look back and see what 'normal life' looks like. 

The past two weeks have been very full of all the normal activities. The month started with Annaliese going away with the sixth-grade class for Outdoor Ed Camp. They go to the Mt. Baker Bibleway Camp, which is a beautiful camp near Mt. Baker. Annaliese has been looking forward to this all year, and it did not disappoint. I went up the first day to help serve lunch and everyone was busy running around and getting their cabins set up! She took an archery class, participated in a fun team-building session, and came back tired and happy. Definitely a successful trip!

Meanwhile, back in the elementary school, they were celebrating Creative Arts Week. I put pictures in the last blog post I wrote, but I came across a few more that someone from school had taken. 

On Saturday, May 4, we headed to Arlington High School for Hanmadang, a Taekwondo Tournament that Lydia participated in. We didn't really know what to expect, but it was a lot of fun! She did her Poomse, Sparring, and Board Breaking. Each 'event' was judged and they were given a score right away. Lydia came away with two 'Outstanding' and one 'Excellent' score! We also watch a board-breaking demonstration by the advanced students. Lydia's teacher, Mr. Schmidt, did an amazing routine as well. We left very impressed by what they were doing!

Sparring

Board Breaking

Poomse

As we were leaving, we saw these t-shirts that had everyone's name on it! Obviously, it's hard to read, so I circled Lydia's name.

Haleigh's gymnastic class had their Showcase this week as well. We actually thought it was last week, so Grandpa and Grandma came and watched her class then, and I went again yesterday and watched the whole thing. They've been working hard on a floor routine, and then showed off a lot of the other skills they've been working on. 

We also fit in a fun Mother's Day celebration last weekend. Saturday afternoon, after all the soccer games were finished, everyone met out at Birch Bay. We had a great spot right by the playground and spent the afternoon playing. It was a gorgeous day, just enough of a breeze to try and fly a kite (unsuccessfully...but other people had no problems!) and plenty of sunshine! 

Lydia made me these flowers (and took this picture)

Which teepee will be the best for getting the fire started?

And there are always the random pictures that I come across...

Trying to get a picture of the new color on her braces!

And finally, we stayed up late to check out the Aurora Borealis...it was incredible! We headed out about 10pm (we left the girls home sound asleep!) but most of these were taken closer to 11pm. We found a dark road just northeast of our house...actually, the first place we pulled over was too busy. We hopped back in the car to find a less-travelled road and it was perfect.

Above our house when we returned from our adventure

Sounds like a busy first half of the month! We also fit in a band concert, soccer, and a few meetings that Kyle and I have had to attend. Good thing summer is just around the corner!

The first band concert where we've actually been able to see Annaliese!! (She's just to the left of the microphone)