bathroom pic

The Pittsburgh zoo

On Friday the four of us visited the Pittsburgh zoo and enjoyed the penguins, polar bears, and elephants.

Cathedral of learning

Friday we visited the cathedral of learning in Pittsburgh

Family dinner

After a yummy Pennsylvania dinner of zucchini bake and peach pie we had a family photo.

Included are Butch, Vivian, Jim, Anne, Matt, Em, Rachel, and Michael.

Baking peach pie

With the peaches we picked on Saturday it was time for peach pie baking with Aunt Vivian. Matt worked hard with Aunt Vivian and Uncle Butch to cut up and mix the peaches, roll out the dough, then finally make the pie. Luckly Aunt Vivian survived teaching Matt about pie making.

Visit with Great Grandma Marrone

On Wednesday August 17, 2011 our family drove up to Johnsonburg PA to visit. That evening we had a short visit with Great Grandma Marrone. Michael and Emmaline helped with a puzzle.

Woodward family visit

Great Grandma Norma and Great Aunt Dawn flew up from Flordia for Michaels graduation from high school. This picture was taken at Great Falls National Park.

Rachel and I went Peach Picking

It is interesting to see how, as the kids start developing their own lives, Rachel and I find ourselves doing things with friends or by ourselves.  We went Peach picking on Saturday with a friend of mine from the office and his wife and 1 YO boy.  The conversation was a little jerky at times, we are at very different points in our lives, but we had a good time and think they did as well.  Now, what do I do with all these peaches?!?!

Emmaline has a job

Emmaline is working at the same place Michael is now.  He is proud that he got his sister a job and I am happy that she has one, it should be just as good for her as it was for Michael.  She is only doing filing and secretary work and she was happy she does not have to deal with patients.  I am not sure how to match that up with her default position to be a nurse but perhaps she'l be able to work that out with herself in the next month or two.

Em is employed

On Sunday Michael invited his sister Emmaline to come help out at the dentist office. The dentist loved her so much he gave her a job. Great job Em! For now she will be working at the same time as her brother. Now there are 3 of us wearing scrubs to work.

Michael Passed his Motorcycle class

He dumped the bike 3 times (glad it was not mine) but he passed and I guess that is what the class is for.  He does seem too be more reluctant than I expected but I think it is more of a health respect for the activity than anything.

Graduation

Michael graduates in a few weeks, I can't believe it.  The paper we have says that you should be there before 2 PM on the 16th because they expect all seats to be full by that time.  After that, we'll probably do a family dinner and then bring him to the all night grad party.  I volunteered for the first shift but will have him drive himself so he can come home when he is ready.  He'll have a few hours to sleep then I guess he'll get up to go to work and then on Saturday, we have the family party at Mom's house.  Michael also has a grad party to go to for our friends in Winchester on Sunday evening and then one (I think on Sunday the 19th) for one of his friends.  This is a busy time right now but I expect things to settle down quick by July.

Michael's Graduation

Michael's Graduation is coming up soon.  I can't believe it, he is starting NOVA NEXT Month.  Because of this class he is missing out on a few activities that he would probably have done otherwise but he is being mature about it and knows what he has to do in order to keep his future on track.  I was proud when he said that he spent some time looking through his college English book and he has chosen a few times to seek some grammar help online a few times (with encouragement but it was his decision.)  He needs straight A's to ensure acceptance into the ODU Dental Hygiene program but that is a worry for another day.  He has had a year long celebration because of the few classes he needed to graduate but I really hope he enjoys these last few moments of High School.

A link Emmaline's track schedule

If you click on the team calendars tab, you can DL a calendar of events.

http://www.wtwoodsonsports.org/index.cfm?action=main.team&ID=3424

Emmaline is finally taking a daring step

She is often very conservative but yesterday, with a good bit of prodding, she took a step out of her comfort zone and is going to take AP Literature next year.  I also think her view of quilting rose form nice past-time to art-form when she was turned down for AP art until they saw her quilting squares she is making and they let her in.  She is going to take two art courses next year which will be all of her electives but since she really enjoys it, I am happy for her.

This was too cute not to share

Lily's aka:Wiggles first giggles.

http://lilyisabelw.blogspot.com/2011/01/lily-giggles-at-you-for-first-time.html