Braces

And it begins...

He chose teal brackets.  Awesome.

Chaparral in June

It's June in the Chaparral.  There are still many blooms on the Elderberry bushes (and some berries starting to ripen too) and lots of monkey flower, black mustard, and white sage in bloom all over the hills.  But, these are some pictures of new plants coming into flower in June.

Gum Plant (we used to call it tattoo flower because the buds have a sticky resin that will make a flower shaped spot on your hand after sprinkling it with trail dust.  It resists soap and water too.)

Pearly Everlasting

Wild roses (probably not natives.)

Bush Mallow

Diamond Clarkia

Chamise

Red Stemmed Filaree?

Some sort of salvia - I don't think it's Crimson Monkeyflower.

Prickly Pear Cactus

This month the creatures I've met along the trail have been of a more friendly variety.

Road Runner

Long Nosed Snake (unfortunately his nose is already down the hole.)

Rabbits are all over.

Look in the mud nest to see the little swallow waiting for its dinner.

Johansens visit in June

We are glad that two of my brothers have in-laws in California.  That means we get to see them when they come into town for other family events.   Mike and Mary Ann spent the afternoon with us on Friday.  I was suggesting some things we could do and I mentioned the Reagan Presidential Library as a joke - because kids love presidential libraries.  Well, that's the activity they chose.

Wes, Sammy, Davis, and Nathaniel cozy up to Ronnie and Nancy.

Chris took the afternoon off to come with us.

Air Force One is pretty neat.

It helps that the gift shop sells jelly beans.

See, edutainment can be fun (but I think Wes and Sammy had to write a report on it the next day.)

Dinner after the museum.

 After breaking down in Nevada and then camping for 4 days at a family reunion, Mark and Nanette came to our place for dinner and some play time in the spool (and a shower for Nanette because she didn't think the trickle from the campground shower was adequate.)

The sun came out after a cloudy morning.

The fountain part of the spa makes a fun kiddy pool.

One of the rare occasions when they were holding still.

Even Davis got in with the kids.

Thanks for visiting everyone!

End of Elementary School

Fifth grade is over and Nathaniel will go to middle school next year.  The whole family is done with elementary school now.  Hmmmm.  Anyway, Nathaniel has really enjoyed the activities at the end of the school year.  First was open house where he displayed the projects he completed over the year in school

Nathaniel in his classroom.

Playing with pals on the playground.

They loved playing tag on the structure. 

 I think Nathaniel will miss recess next year in middle school.  But, I won't miss the 1/2 cup of sand that came home in his shoes every day.  The weekend before school let out, Nathaniel's buddy Ethan came for a visit before his family moves out of state.

Nathaniel and Ethan with their gel-bead shooters.

Hey guys!  Look at us (way up on the rocks).

 During the last week of school the fifth graders had an activity day where they played games on the lawn and had a picnic.

Nathaniel and Riley compete in the tire race.

Getting ready for the water balloon fight.

Fun day.

 A culmination ceremony was held on the last day of school to recognize the achievements of the fifth graders.

Fifth grade culmination under an arch of earth balloons.



Why did this picture show up in this orientation and why can't I rotate it?



Refreshments with Willey and Riley.

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Nathaniel with buddy Derek.



 That night Nathaniel attended an 11 year old scout camp with his old patrol from S. Pas.  It was pretty exciting for him to finish elementary school.  He enjoyed being with so many friends, old and new.  We are proud of the great kid he has grown into.