The actual Fourth of July was pretty fun.  Of course, I didn't take a single picture that day but it is probably for the best.  Stu and I went up to his parents' house and celebrated with them.  It was cloudy and too cold to go swimming or to put the boat in the river so instead, we all decided to just hang out.  We had a really good dinner and a nice firework show (Stu lit them off of the dock and it worked out really nice because we could see the neighbors' who were all lighting them off their docks too).  Megan and I ended the evening jumping in the freezing cold Willamette River naked.  Needless to say, there was some alcohol involved.  But at least I didn't complain about having to work the next day in a meeting right??  (Yes, I am aware that there was no work the next day but still).

Tomorrow is the first day of work in THREE WEEKS!  I'm excited to be getting back and to see friends but not so happy about going from relaxing all day to working 8 hours a day.  I'm sure it will work out.  As Katrina and Kenton pointed out, we only have a few weeks of work and then it will be vacation time again and time to go to Seattle!  Woo Hoo!

Fireworks!

The pretty sunset!

Yesterday evening Stu and I went with Noah and Chris to watch the fireworks that were put on at the EMS stadium after the night's game.  To get a good view, Noah drove us up to College Hill (which, people, is where I someday want to live and am never going to be able to afford) and we staked out a spot on the reservoir.

It was pretty early so we decided to take some of those "jumping" pictures:

Noah taking a picture of Chris.  I'm pretty sure that this was an "after the jump" picture but I was having a hard time timing it!

See!!  The timing was all off!  But I wanted to put a picture of Noah up too!  He looks like he is running in this one.

I'm pretty proud of this one even though I do look a little crazy in it!

Stu declined from getting his picture taken.  But he was there!  The fireworks were really good!  Turns out that the reservoir wasn't the best place to watch them but Noah found a nice hole in the tree branches where we could see.  It was really fun!  I'm excited for the actual Fourth.

Bike Rides on a Nice Day

Today Stu and I officially broke out our bikes.  Well, to be truthful, I think that Stu has ridden it to campus a few times before today but I haven't ridden my bike since we moved into this house last August.  It makes me nervous riding downtown, especially since a guy died after being hit by a car just like three blocks from here.  But I decided to brave it.

My tires were flat after it's long hibernation in our basement but once a homeless man made fun of me for walking my bike and then pointed me in the direction of an air pump at Berg's Ski Shop, I rode my bike to campus to meet Stu after his class.  It was great because the weather wasn't too hot.  

Anyway, I feel like it is officially summer now that I have ridden my wreck of a bike.  On that note, I really need to take it in for a tune up cause I'm pretty sure that my front brake (which is the only one that works anymore) is about ready to stop working at any moment.

I've Dropped off the Face of the Earth...

Or have just been on vacation for the last two weeks and I haven't done anything exciting or worth blogging about.  But "people" have complained that I have been slacking so I will try my best to be somewhat entertaining.

This picture of Cinder pretty much sums up my vacation.  Stu graduated and walked but is taking one more summer of French before he is actually done.  So we haven't had a chance to do anything fun, like go on a trip.  So I have pretty much just been sitting around and reading and being lazy.  I have managed to finish four seasons of Desperate Housewives in two weeks and I am very proud of my accomplishment.  

Random picture of Stu after his graduation.  I love that you have to look over his uncle and aunt to see him.  I know that Stu is probably not going to like that I added this picture...

One of the more exciting things that happened over our break is that Stu bought a new TV.  Well, actually his Grandmother bought it for him for a graduation present.  Stu has wanted a new one for a while.  His old TV wasn't 1080p and it would cut off some of the picture edge on some video games that he owned and consequently wasn't able to play.  So...it was probably time for an upgrade.  Plus, the old one was a projection screen which made it HUGE.  Here is a picture of the old TV:

I feel like this is a bad picture of the new TV but its the best one that I have.  We had to build the stand and everything and each leg segment weighed like a million pounds!  I am super proud of myself that I was able to help Stu build it and lift the TV onto it afterwards.  Stu was a little skeptical but I came through.  What can I say?  I'm totally awesome.  Now we just need some friends to come over and watch a movie or some Sopranos with us...*hint *hint

Stu and I also went and watched WALL-E with Noah this week.  It was soooo good!  It totally made me cry like three times.  But not in a sad way.  In an, I'm-Jacque-and-totally-pathetic way.  You should go and see it though.  It was great!  And it made me feel really skinny and healthy!

Here is a picture of the courtyard at Noah's condo where the party was held.  It isn't very exciting but I really liked the atmosphere on the place and the lighting in this picture.

Last Saturday, Noah hosted an Obama House Party.  It is part of Obama's campaign to help people become more aware of the issues by bringing together groups of people in the community.  A woman came and talked to us a little bit about Obama and asked some of the people attending what there reason was for joining in.  It was cool because we had an age range from 20-73 and it was interesting to hear what the older generation had to say.  Also, Noah's parents bought a bunch of food and beer for the party and since the majority of the people attending were elderly, that left us youngsters with a whole cooler of booze.  Thanks Glusmans!  And thanks for Ta Ra Rin too!

One of the more fun days that I had this week was yesterday.  The "guys" (Stu, Kenton, and Jesse) went up to Washington for a Heroscape tournament so the "girls" (Me, Katrina, and Carolyn) spent the afternoon together with Finley.  Actually, he was asleep when I got to Katrina's house so we watched an episode of Tell Me You Love Me.  When Finn woke up we decided to eat dinner at Laughing Planet.  Afterwards we got dessert at Sweet Life and took it to the park so Finn could play.  It was a pretty fun evening.  There were a ton of kids running around in the water fountain and I think Finn had a good time.

My war scar from the freaking slide!  It was out of control.  I'm surprised that Finn and I made it out alive.  You are so much more brave than I am Finn!

After the park we went back to the Henry's house and watched a movie until the guys got home.  It was really fun to hang out and it was nice to get to know Carolyn since I've heard stories and stuff about her and never was able to meet her.

Today I met Stu on Campus and we walked around trying to get a glimpse of the Olympic Trials.  No such luck.  But...we got to go to breakfast at the Glenwood.  Also, Stu got back this paper he had written for his French class that was supposed to be a letter to his girl friend.  The teacher's comment, "You do know that 'Jacque' is a boy's name right?"

Happy Birthday Stu.

The Last week of School

So today, Monday, marks the beginning of the last week of school for our Preschoolers.  It's pretty exciting because that means three weeks of break is coming up soon but it is also a little sad.  We have a five week summer program that starts in July and most of the kids are coming back for that but there are a few who are going to Kindergarten in the fall who aren't and it's a little sad that we have three more days with them.  At least these last three days should be fun!

What a busy week we have!  Tomorrow one of our supervisors is coming to videotape our classroom because apparently they say it is the model classroom for EEP and they want the other teachers to see it.  I'm a little stressed because I just found this out on Saturday at a Teacher Appreciation BBQ (the parents are amazing and we are so grateful!).  I'm sure that it will be fine but still!  I hate being videotaped!

Wednesday is Stu's 25th birthday.  Not that I'm allowed to do anything for it or to get him anything.  I took care of that already when I bought him the BBQ and told him that it was a combined anniversary/birthday gift.  But it is still his birthday and I'm excited for him.  You are officially an adult at 25 right??

Wednesday is also the last day of school for the preschoolers so we are having a little carnival for them that day.  Most of the day will be normal class but towards the end we will have a lot of fun activities and prizes and snow cones!  I'm way excited!

And Saturday is the day that Stu graduates!  His entire family will be coming so around 8:30-9am, you will be able to find me in the EMU Ballroom staking out about 12 seats with Stu's sister and aunt.  I'm sure that the ceremony will be long and boring; he is a history major after all ;-).  But when it is over, we all get to drive up to Portland for his graduation BBQ.  Don't worry.  I will be taking pictures of the event!

Through this all I am hoping that I don't get sick!  I haven't been feeling that great lately (on Friday I was asleep at 8:30.  Not even exaggerating) and I am hoping that I will be able to shake it off.  Today I'm all hopped up on Sudafed so here we go!

Tonight Stu and I are going to hang out with Katrina and Kenton.  Probably the least stressful part about the week.  Although, I did have a dream last night where I hit Finn with a closet door...I'm not sure exactly why dream-katrina had him taking a nap in the closet but apparently it was still my fault.  We'll see if Finn makes it out of our visit unscathed.