Happy Birthday pops!

Hard to believe that my oh-so-young-looking father has hit 56 today! Of course, he's probably still denying that his oldest is 34. 

I hate that my dad lives on the other side of the country, too far away to see him all the time, but never to busy for a phone call!

I love that he will drive into DC after a full day of work to eat dinner with me, and 20 high schoolers when I'm chaperoning a trip (and brings a birthday cake for one of my boys). 

I love that he has found a job that makes him happy while playing ultimate man-games (defensive driving, shooting guns, defusing bombs, knocking you out 7 different ways with just his thumb...)

I love that his graduation gift to me from college was a giant copy of a picture of the two of us sharing a pretzel (with matching curly hair).

I love that he never forgets to call on my birthday (or any other holiday).

I love that my dad acts all tough, but really he is the sweetest man ever, and dotes on his girls and Tony.  I know he'll be the greatest grandpa some day too (but not too soon if you are hoping for a baby from me!)

I love you daddy! Thanks for being such an amazing father.  I hope you have fun this weekend with Patty and your best year yet.

Pictures: top- Grandpa Tony and Dad last fall; middle- my dad when he met me and my kids in DC; bottom- my dad and I when I was 1-day-old.

Photo contest

So my best friend, Blythe, sent me a link to the National Geographic Energizer Batteries photo contest and encouraged me to enter some photos.  I guess she likes what I've been doing! I decided to give it a go and entered 6 photos in the contest.  It stays open through the end of June, and then in August there will be voting for the finalists chosen in each category.  Hopefully in August, I'll be begging for some votes!  So in preparation for that event, here's what I entered (wish me luck)!

People/Culture Category:

Slave memorial in Ouidah, Benin, Africa

Weather category:

Leaves frozen in the ice at Manito Park

Animals/Wildlife Category:

Lions at the Portland Zoo

Travel Category:

Chase checking out the Vietnam Memorial Wall

Nature category:

Crescent Beach on Coeur d'Alene Lake

Action/Energy Category:

Amanda getting an egg smashed on her head during an assembly

If you are interested in entering pictures, the contest is at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/energizer.

My mom's famous!

Yep, that's right! My mom is famous.  She entered a sock contest put on by the Knitter's Magazine, and of course her contribution was one of the winners.  As a prize, her design was published, and she got a free copy of the book: Think Outside the Sox.  Here's her showing off her winning entry and her page.  PS, her sock is also pictured on page xii, 8 Steps to Sock Success.  Great job mommy!

Rabbits

Last night at my tennis match, we had three wild rabbits pop out to join us.  They were very bold and quite brave coming so near the courts.  Here's a couple pictures from the event!

Bloomsday '10

So I made it through another Bloomsday, only a little worse for wear.  Mostly, my feet hurt as I appear to have earned myself a blister from a pebble that made its way into my shoe.  Other then that though, it was fun.  I didn't start out with anyone, so I made myself a kick-ass playlist for my iPod and hit it hard.  Of course, me being me, I saw a ton of people I know, and even walked with a few of them.  Aside from a variety of students who I saw along the race, I saw one of my old campers, Trevor who I caught up with while we walked; my friend Kathryn from church; Mr. Nord, my old math teacher; a couple of parents from Freeman; my dad's ex-girlfriend Bridget; Danette, one of my co-teachers; and an old camp friend, Theresa.  Here are a few pics from the day!

Some of my students at the start of the race: Kyleigh, Elizabeth, and Chyanne

My student Christian (Freeman sweatshirt) and his dad Mark who I occasionally play basketball with.

Two crazies dressed as tele-tubbies

The starting line!

My friend Danette as we climb Doomsday hill (sporting the black Nike bag)

Bloomsday staple: The Vulture

I ran into a bunch of Freeman students at the mile 7 marker and took a photo for them.

I finished the last mile and a half with Bridget and her friend Sarah.  Thank god for the finish line! 

I'm sure it will only take a couple weeks before I forget how hellish Bloomsday is and sign up again!

Katie's birthday Photo-moto Rally

We had a photo-moto for Katie's birthday party tonight.  Here are a couple of my favorite photos from my group outing!

Super Trooper

Rehab

The Office

Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

Up In The Air

Iron Man

Sin Wagon (taken under the big red wagon slide)

Sunglasses at Night