Test update:

Many of you know that I have been working toward my National Board for Professional Standards teaching certificate.  It is something I began in June of 2010.  I finished my portfolio in April 2011 and I took my written assessment in May 2011.  The scoring process takes awhile.  Each portfolio entry (there are 4) is 20+ pages long.  There are two videos and evidence that you submit to go along with them.  The assessment is 6 prompts to which you have 30 minutes to respond.  So needless to say, there is a lot to be graded.  You are then given a score for each entry.  If your overall score is over 275, then you pass.  If not, then you have to pay more money, do redo portions of you entry to improve you overall score.

A week ago we found out scores would be released on Friday, November 18th.  Friday morning came, but there were no scores.  At noon, we received an email saying we would receive our scores by 2 pm.  2 pm came and went, with no scores.  At 2:30 pm they said we would know by 4 pm, and of course, 4 pm came and went and still no scores.  By 6 pm they sent another email saying they were having problems with the server and they had no idea when scores would be reported.  Saturday came and went with no scores.  Finally the scores were posted at 6 am Sunday morning.  I found out this morning that I had received a score of 297.  I PASSED!!!!  I am officially a National Board Certified teacher. My certificate is good for the next 10 years.  I couldn’t be happier and my relief knowing that I don’t have to worry about any of this for another 10 years couldn’t be greater! 

Jaxon

My nephew Jaxon came to spend the weekend with Rob and I.  His mom dropped him off with me at work on Friday and then she came and picked him up on Sunday afternoon.  We had fun with his visit.  He kept us laughing the entire time.  Thanks Sherrie for letting us have him for the weekend.

Our Summer Project

When Rob and I moved into our house, we knew we were going to redo the yard.  It was a complete barky, weedy mess.  We had no idea what huge job it would be.  Our first summer we tackled the front yard.  It went fairly smoothly so our plan this summer was to tackle the backyard. SOOOOO MUCH WORK!

BACKYARD BEFORE

BACKYARD AFTER:

We built a retaining wall

We built a garden patch

We built a staircase

We built a rock path

We built a corner patio

We built a driveway and parking place for trailers

Next year we plan to decorate with flowers, plants, and bushes.

For now we’re looking forward to many Bar-B-Que’s, lawn games, and walking barefoot on our new lawn!

Sharing our Love of Whistler

 

We had one more day on our Bike Park Pass so we headed up to Whistler again this weekend.  We decided to bring along our friend Jared and his son Kimball.  It was their first trip up there, and we all had a great time.  I think Jared is already making plans to take his entire family up either for skiing or biking in the coming year.  We had fun showing them the trails and we escaped the day only a couple of minor injuries (thank goodness for helmets)!  The weather was perfect for fall day of biking. 

Taking a ride on the peak to peak tram.

Thanks Jared and Kimball for coming along for the fun and to the bike park, we’ll see you next year!

To those of you waiting for pictures of the backyard, I lost our camera so I haven’t been able to take pictures.  I finally found it, but it’s been raining and I want to take pictures when it is nice and sunny.  Hopefully the weatherman is right and I will be able to take the pictures on Wednesday.  Stay tuned…

Remlinger Farms

A couple of months ago, groupon was running a buy one get one free for Remlinger Farms.  I bought it, thinking it would be a fun afternoon for Jayden and I.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect, other than a petting zoo, but I had heard people say great things about it. 

Yesterday morning I picked up my nephew Jayden and we headed out to carnation.  When we go there, I KNEW Jayden was going to have the time of his life.  We did it all.  Most things we did two or three times.  Here are a few pictures from our day. 

Here’s a quick summary of what we did:  Park, Pony Rides, Canoe Ride, Train Ride, Driving a “real” car, Pedal car course, Hay Maze, Hay Jump Pit, climbing wall, a school bus, a fire truck, Petting Zoo, Roller Coaster, Merry Go Round, Ferris Wheel, Spinning Apple Barrels, and Flying pumpkins. And all for only $12!!! It was a blast.  We both had a lot of fun.  It is definitely something we will do again next year! 

Salmon galore

Over labor day weekend Rob went Salmon fishing with some guys from our ward.  It was basically his first time and he had a great time and did his best to learn all the tricks.  Then, over the last couple of weeks he has been out several times on his own and with others.  He’s pretty much got it down now and comes home with his limit of 4 salmon each time.  I made him give his share away a couple of times only because we don’t have any more room in our freezer! 

The fish is delicious, but cutting them up is not.  Too many little bones!  It takes forever to get them all out.  Rob had some friends over so we decided to try a new marinade and grilled them on the bbq.  It turned out great. If you like salmon, come on over. We’ll gladly grill some up for you!

Finally

WE HAVE A BACKYARD!!!!

pictures coming soon. 

Trip to Rexburg

I decided that I needed to visit my parents at least once this summer.  So on Monday, I told them I was coming on Wednesday.  I also told them that I had invited my friend Mary and her kids to come and stay as well.  On Tuesday, I invited my nephew Jayden to join me for the trip.  When Jayden and I left on Wednesday morning, we sent a text inviting my sisters to come up and join us.  Julie and her two youngest said they would, so by weeks end, my parents had a houseful!  It was great.  The kids played, the adults talked.  We had a great time talking, eating, swimming, dancing, playing outside, playing inside.  It was great. Here’s the pics to prove it.

Thanks to my Mom and Dad for being such great hosts and letting everyone come last minute and all at once.  Thanks to Jackie for letting Jayden come with me.  Thanks to Mary, Tillie and Finch for making the drive from Salt Lake to spend some time with me.  Thanks for Julie for rearranging her work schedule to come up and visit with us.  Thanks to Parker and Halle for making the drive with their mom to come and play with us.