Busy Summer!!

It has been a while!! We have had a busy summer at our house. Mark and Jeff both did summer school and were done with that by mid July. Emily spent some time in Homer having "Grandma" time.

Mark went to ROTC Summer Leadership School again. He had a great time. He was surprised that it was not exactly the same as last year.......the weather was MUCH wetter, different dynamics with the cadets that were there, he did the Rambo hike. Mark also turned 17 at the begining of August.......WOW........He is also starting his job at WalMart on Aug 30. He is going to be a cashier. I am very happy about that! At school registration, the kids can purchase their yearbook at a discounted price. Mark did not want me to pay for his. He said, "I'll pay for it when I start my job." Gotta love that kind of indepence!

Jeff went to Boy Scout camp this summer. It was in Valdez. Much fun was had by all scouts according to Jeff. Maybe it was because most of the kids he hangs out with were there....maybe it was the canoing out to the middle of the a glacier lake and climbing up on the iceberg, or the swimming, or not having to shower and be clean everyday.....who knows, he just had a great time! On the Sunday that they were in Valdez, they went to the local church. Our ward deacons and teachers passed the Sacrament. Very wonderful experience for the young men. Jeff had Beginning Guitar for one of his electives this year. I had been trying to talk him into taking Seminary without much luck. After 1 day in beginning guitar, he has decided that Seminary would be a good thing!! Luckily there is release time Seminary in our area. So we are hoping that he can start on Monday.

Emily has been busy with friends, and travel this summer. Homer for a couple of weeks, a few days in Ketchican to do some salmon fishing, lots of hanging out with her buddies! She is now in 6th grade. Top Dog at school. I think she is going to learn to play the clarinet this year. At her Elementary school the 6th grade has a band and an orchestra, so the kids can choose what instrument they want to learn. I have encouraged Emily to try the clarinet since I could help her with that! She will even be able to use MY clarinet from my school days!

George has been working hard this summer. He is still working at Alaska Airlines instructing, but he has been able to do some ground schools here in Anchorage, a few in Seattle, and recently in LA. He has also been driving motorcoaches for Holland America/Princess again this summer. He is only driving on ship days, but that is more than enough!!

I have been supervising at Holland America/Princess this summer. I really miss driving, and will probably do that next summer. I appreciate the transportation management for letting be a supevisor this summer since I would not have been able to drive at the beginning of the cruise season, and I still can't lift luggage. I will be done with my Chemo treatments at the beginning of October!! Only 3 more to go! School has started, and I am back to driving school bus. I am so glad that I have the same route as I have had for the last couple of years. The kids are great, they already know what I expect, I know what to expect from them, so there is minimal retraining! All is good with that!

We are hoping to go on a cruise this fall. We will see how that plays out!