Other happenings

Ethan had a birthday the beginning of the month. He brought a few friends to Outer Limits for glow-in-the-dark golf. Boys had a blast. 

Notice his candle is in...yup, cereal.

The other pictures are just for fun.

A Good Saturday

Let's just start by congratulating Cosette on her first basket! Wish it was on camera, but at least it is in our memory. She store the ball at half court. Break away and shot from the free throw line. No one else was around! Her team (Sunblockers) won 13-7.

After the game the family went to the guitar exhibit in Idaho Falls. Way cool!

Dad is so mean...

Emma was in California at a conference for Halloween so Rob thought he would have some fun.

Since Dr. Wood...

What have we been doing since Rob became Dr. Wood? Traveled bunches...

First, we all went to Lagoon for a wonderful (cloudy and not very many people) day. We all had a great time. 

Of course it was slushies for everyone...why not?

Sarah showing off her driving ability. We have known she could drive for a long time. She has been driving us crazy for a year.

Next it was San Francisco, Rob had never been. The best part was Lombard Street which we happened upon by accident. We were enjoying the steep hills and wondered why all these people were standing and looking down one street. We drove down it.

Following San Francisco (in the same trip) was Sacramento to a family reunion. The coolest thing there was the mini carnival they put on for the kids. I think the parents and grandparents had just as much fun if not more. I know Rob was making the rounds like he never grew up

Oh, and the swimming in Uncle Johns pool...

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Finally (whew!) we landed on a free trip (mostly) to Washington D.C. Emma was sent to a conference there and Rob followed along. The most touching experience was the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon. WOW, "We will never forget." Below are a few photo's of cool memorials. Rob has the top one on his phone as the background. Very cool.

For some reason Rob kept looking around for the transformers to come in and take a seat. Didn't happen.

On our last day in D.C. it rained. I don't mean a sprinkle or a simple rain. NO, IT POURED. Very warm day and a heavy drenching. We were both soaked to the marrow of the bone. We got stuck out in the middle of a field and by the time we got to a dry place there was no point in buying an umbrella or poncho.

Rob found the FDR memorial the most inspiring. It was huge and beautiful. Lots of water falls, lots of stone, lots of bronze statues and lots of quotes. The other was Arlington National Cemetery, WOW.

Jean Blanket

Robert finished his second project of the summer. He got to use his sewing machine for the first time and did a fantastic job. It took him just 4 hours and I think he must have thought it would take longer. He paid a lady to cut out the squares for him and he worked the machine like a pro.

Some of the ladies at church jokingly call him Mr Mom and he corrects them, "It's Dr. Dad." Ethan is quick to say, "Yeah its Dr. Dad and if he was a Sheriff it would be Sheriff Dad." Some people just don't get that a man with an education could possibly want to stay at home where recognition for a good day is rarely if ever given.

Drop Ceiling Remodel

Our kitchen is beautiful and we love it, except for the drop ceiling that had two 8ft (two lights each) florescent light fixtures. When they all worked it was like walking into the sun. They also buzzed and it was annoying Robert. In the past we simply took the bulbs out of one which made it bright but bearable and the buzz was half as loud. This worked for 6 years until one of the plastic covers fell from the ceiling and broke. Robert decided it was time for a remodel and Emma decided the remodel was going to be a lot more complicated. Robert wanted to put in recessed lights and texture inside the box. Emma wanted bead-board and crown molding. You can see who won...

For someone who doesn't know the first thing about remodeling kitchens, it worked out pretty well. Took a few days before it looked GREAT but we are sure happy with it now.

Next: sewing a jean blanket, starting to learn the violin.

Finally...

After 5 years of going to school at Idaho State University, Robert has earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership. He successfully defended his dissertation July 29th. His research consisted of interviewing 12 department chairs of foreign language regarding their views of ASL being an equivalent language to other languages. He interviewed 6 from institutions that accept ASL as an equal and 6 from institutions that do not accept ASL as an equal. Interestingly 11 of the 12 administrators did not accept ASL as an equivalent language regardless of institutional policy. The argument that ASL should be treated as equal to other languages is very controversial among departments of foreign languages in higher education. Even his committee at the defense argued among themselves regarding it classification.

Whats next for Robert? He will make his children call him Dr. Dad, he has plans to remodel the lighting in the kitchen, repair the swing set, sew a jean quilt, start to learn the violin, travel to San Francisco/Sacramento, travel to Washington DC, and all his spare time will be spent with the kids being a stay at home dad for a time.

Trip to the Fire Station

Local fire department had a day of events for the community. The kids really enjoyed it.

Random

Half the time there is no real title for the posting. The pictures are generally a collage of activity. Here is Sarah being herself, Isaac with his mustache he bought with his own money, and the kids at the bowling alley Memorial Day.

Local Fire Station Open House

Pocatello has several fire stations. The one nearest our place hosted an open house. It was a fun experience. We got to see a car cut open with the jaws of life, fires put out with extinguishers, learned CPR and got to eat cookies. Although that was interesting, the best part was getting to hold the fire hose and wear their suits. The kids had a blast but I think the parents had more fun than the kids. Videos of the kids playing with the hose is below.

Birthday fun

A whirlwind week. Three birthdays literally in a row. Rob had to be in Boise early Friday, so he came home 7:30 pm Thursday (Emma's birthday) from work just to leave by 8:00 pm for Boise. Friday (Isaac's birthday) Rob made it home a little after7:00 pm. Saturday (Sarah's birthday) he had to be in Rexburg until 1:00 pm. We did have a nice little bbq with Isaac's friends Saturday night...where Isaac lost a tooth from a football! He thought that was awesome.
Isaac asked for a Hulk cake...a green tinted Frankenstein is what he got!

Isaac's other missing top tooth was pulled by the dentist Tuesday. Cosette has had so many teeth pulled there, Isaac wanted one done too!

Relationship Fireside

This is an excellent discussion reasons men and women are different. Listen and comment!

http://www.townsendrelationshipcenter.com/cpstakefireside090712/

Weekend Warrior

Fountain and see saw (Sarah's birthday present)

This and that

Cosette had three molars pulled April 30.

Isaac lived his Lego plane.

Ethan is now so tall!

Spring sisters

Cosette had been being for a matching outfit for her and Sarah. I think she likes this one.

More birthday fun

A lemon cake with glaze
Roller skating with friends.Cosette almost won the limbo

Birthday girl

What? 9 years old?

Haircuts