We're still alive

Ok, so I know I have been a slacker and I know I have a lot to post about. But you know how as the list gets longer you just want to do it less? Well, that's where I'm at. But I have this great deal I want to share and so I needed to post. So first I'll give you the deal, then I'll give you a mini-slacker style update.

Here's the deal. Well, it's better than a deal, it's free:

http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/about.html

Go here and check out what local museums are participating and you can print a pass for free admission to a participating venue. The free day is Saturday, September 26th and I'm sure it will be a zoo everywhere on that day, but hey, if you get out of the house for a free activity isn't it worth it?

Your pass is good for you plus one guest and it is one per household. You'll have to check with individual museums to find out what age they start charging admission...hopefully mom and dad use the pass and all the kiddos are under age and free.

Enjoy a free field trip!


Now the update...

Well, life around here has been stressful. Kevin was not accepted into Pharmacy School for this fall so we have been doing some life planning, adjusting, and replanning. He still wants to go to Pharmacy School so we have been working our tails off trying to figure out the best way to spend this next year to increase his chances for next fall. Currently our plan is for Kevin to go back to school and re-take a few classes and possibly take some more that will boost his science GPA. It has been difficult figuring out where he can take the classes he needs and how to stay financially afloat all the while. Our current plan (we think it is about 90% set) is to move to Washington and live with my parents for the year so that Kevin can really focus on schoolwork (starting in September) and taking the PCAT (in October) and applying to all the approximately 20 schools on our list (deadlines start hitting sept 1st). So Kevin will have his hands full to say the least but this is all an investment (I say that several times daily). We are both still working and when we aren't working we are researching our options.

So, I'm sorry I haven't been posting. Any time I spend on the computer I am looking at a Pharmacy Schools webpage or trying to enroll Kevin in classes that are already full. The computer is not currently my friend and I do not use it for social purposes :o) Soon enough this will all be done. A decision will be made, a house will be packed, a baby will be happy, work will be over and life will get back rolling. We are sad to be leaving, but aparently we are on the one year at a time plan. We can't wait to have a plan that spans 3 or more years. But don't let my melancholy get you down, I'm optimistic, even sometimes excited about the future, I'm just a little (or a whole lot) stressed with the current unknowns. We have a lot of fun in our near future and hopefully we'll be able to take our minds off of the heavy things for a little while.

If anyone has any magical connections to Pharmacy School admissions people or amazing tricks that help with applications or any other relevant (or irrelevant) suggestions we're all ears. We can use all the help we can get.

Maybe sometime I'll post the updates you've missed between my last post and now, but you know me, I probably won't. So here are a couple of recent pictures

Pagent This Weekend, Dive Meet Last

Start with the future, then we'll go back.

For those of you in Utah:

This Weekend Only...






Mormon Battalion Musical
at Huntsville Town Park in Huntsville, Utah (near Ogden) .
One of my amazing and talented Uncles wrote this pagant and it will be performed on Friday and Saturday. The play is inspired by Joseph Skeen (my great, great, great grandfather) who marched with the Battalion. Here is a blog that gives some more information. I'll be there this weekend too! We get to go for a family reunion and to see the performance. Call me if you are going to be there so I can see you!!! The actual performance is t 7:30 and it is free (bring your blankets to sit on the grass, I think).

Last Week...
We had the pleasure of visiting my family and taking my divers to a Regional Dive Meet in Portland. We were so lucky to get to combing business (my coaching) and pleasure as we watched my sister dive and I coached my kiddos. Maraea (my sis) was amazing...she qualified for zones on 3 meter and 1. My divers also did great. This was their first dive meet ever so the goal was just to expose them to the diving world and let them see some awesome diving. Well, we did that, but they also all dove really well for themselves. I'm so proud of them.

While in Washington we also go to go to Maraea's HS graduation on Monday and do a little sight seeing on Tuesday before we headed to the airport. We saw the Freemont Bridge Troll and the Ballard Locks and Fish Ladders. I loved seeing the Troll because I hadn't seen him since a 3rd grade bridges field and he was almost as big as I remembered him. I always love the fish ladders but I would rather go in August when they are body checking each other into the viewing window. But, we'll save that for another trip. Here are a few picture highlights...

Hope to see you in Utah!

Hamper Tunnel

I think I should buy Madi some of those tunnel play things. Lately she has been climbing into the mesh hamper and then tries to crawl in it like a hamster wheel. It's pretty funny to watch. Anyone know when to find tunnels for a decent price?

Madi Had a Birthday Shout Hooray!

Madi's birthday was last week and we had a blast! Grandma and Grandpa Skeen came to town, as well as Auntie Maraea, Uncle Andrew, Auntie Rachel and Cousin Kaili.

On Friday (Madi's actual birthday) we didn't do anything special except prep for her party and receive out of town guests. But on Saturday we had an all day party (of sorts). In the morning we all went swimming at the Y and enjoyed seeing how comfortable both the girls (Madi and Kaili) are in the water. Then we brought the girls home for a good nap to prep for the next portion of the afternoon. After naps we headed to Meridian for a Skeen cousin's birthday party and enjoyed seeing the local family that we certainly don't see enough of. Next was a short Madi nap and final party prep.

Most of the local family was able to join us that evening for a delicious dinner and fun in Papa and Tutu's backyard. All of the food was excellent (thank you to all those that helped!!!) and the company was superb. The only real birthday thing we did was the traditional cake destruction, but that was entertaining enough.

We sang to Madi and the minute the cake was in front of her she went for the burning candle. Luckily I barely beat her to it so we didn't have any injuries :o) Madi was a little hesitant at first but that only lasted a moment before she dug both hands in and enjoyed the cake.

She really didn't eat much of it until the cousins put some in her face and she realized it was tasty...really tasty. None of it would have been nearly as fun if it weren't for the cousins "helping" her enjoy the cake.

Madi also got to open some presents and she was ready to play with everything immediately. Thank you so much for the kind gifts everyone! Really, everything was perfect, she either plays with, wears or "reads" everything she was given. I'm so grateful for all the other moms who know what a 1 year old wants and needs...you are all so wonderful!

All in all we had a great party. Madi won't remember it, but she must have had a good time because she was sure tired by the end. It's always fun to have an excuse to celebrate!

Oh, and as if that were not enough, the next day we headed to Nyssa, Oregon for a baby blessing and more incredibly delicious food to follow. Madi got to eat some dirt out of a wheel barrow and ride on a tractor, so it was another great day!


Thank you again to all of those who made sacrificed to be with us, sent birthday wishes, worked for hours in their yard for our sake, helped prep food late into the night, made a last minute Costco run for me, spared me the hassle of making cupcakes in the roaster oven, and all of you who have been so kind as to read this novel of a post went you didn't even get to party with use. We appreciate all of you!

If only we all slept so soundly

We thought it was so funny how chill Madi looked the morning we took this picture, especially because she has slept so poorly these last few nights (cutting teeth again). I love how she managed to sneak her foot out of the jammies. Man, this picture makes me want a nap. Sweet dreams!