Last 4th grade Field Trip

Just in case people haven't heard…I am moving to 5th grade next year!  I've enjoyed my time in 4th grade and have worked with some terrific people. However, I am really excited to see what 5th grade has to offer.

That means that this year was my last year going on our over night field trip to Seward. Here are snapshots from the trip. I was very happy and please that Scott and Kasila were both able to join me! It made it much more fun!

Playing at the park! Seward has an awesome tot area in their playground.

Seward Sea Life Center

One of my student's pointed this out to me. I just had to be in front of the Z for it to be my name. :)

Kasila loved the boat!

Beautiful day!

They were tired!

Pacific Humpback Whale

A pod of orcas! One decided it wanted a closer look at the boat!

Kasila was still exhausted. Overall, a fabulous field trip for everyone that went!

Accomplishments and Summer Internship

Today is my graduation for my Master's in Mathematics Education! I have never technically set foot on University of Alaska-Southeast's campus, but that is where I have been taking classes for the last 3 years. My school district received a math and science grant. That grant money was used as an incentive for teachers to work on their K-5 (or 8) Math Endorsement. We took two classes a semester, one on-line and one with an adjunct professor at a school in the Wasilla. We were to pay for our tuition upfront, but if we earned a B or higher, the district reimbursed us 80% of the tuition cost. They also provided our text books and an iPad2. It was took good of a deal to pass up! I decided to take the additional 5-6 classes and earn my Master's degree. It took a little longer, only taking 1-2 classes a semester, but it was a lot of work to juggle taking classes, teaching school, fulfilling church callings and having Kasila. I'm very grateful that I was able to do this before Kasila was older or even having more than 1 kid!  

Scott just finished his finals week and will be begin his summer internship on Monday! He will be working for TerraSond. They are based out of Palmer, but I believe most of his work time will be spent on a boat in the ocean off of Homer, Alaska. They do a lot of hydrographic surveying. We're not sure of what his schedule will be, but we've heard good things about this company. We're both excited for him to be able to get some work experience that has to do with his major, geomatics with a geographic information system emphasis. 

Sunshiny Days

The 2nd half of April has been bright and sunny! Kasila has spent a lot of time outside while at the baby-sitter's. She always comes home at least a little dirty from playing, which is a good thing! She really is an outside baby. We try to spend as much as we can as well. 

Enjoying her adorable hat that Aunt Ashley sent her and her new galoshes to play in the mud.

Wheelbarrow ride with Brenna, my friend's daughter.

Looking cute with a hematite necklace (that really isn't on correctly).

She apparently wasn't done with her bath, even though the water is all drained.

Enjoying some watermelon at a friend's spring party. Look at her cute, little, curled ponytail.

She liked to sit in the little car, but she wasn't able to push herself to move forward. 

Walking into church

Overalls, sunglasses and baby legging

I started a teaching blog! Simple Insights I like reading other people's blogs, so I thought I'd give it a try. 

Hoppy Easter

I am so thankful for a specific time of the year to remember the sacrifice that our Savior made for us and that because of His resurrection, we can fulfill the Plan of Salvation and return to live with our Heavenly Father and family. It is important to remember year round, but I love having a specific day dedicated to that awesome event. I know that some people may think that it has become too commercialized, but I hope that we can balance the fun of a family holiday with the spiritual reasons for the special day.

On Saturday, we had dyed some eggs. Kasila was using her left hand because she would not let go of the doll and blanket that Nan got for her.

We had a fun Easter Sunday. We got up in the morning and Kasila found her little Easter bucket. 

We went to church and she was adorable in the her cute purple dress.

Trying to connect to Skype and Scott being Scott.

Trying to get a family picture.

A couple of cool picture things Google Backup or something on our phones put together :)

Exhausted from church, skyping, and playing outside.

We are fortunate enough to have friends that are basically our Alaskan family. We planned on going over there for Easter lunch/dinner. Just as we were packing up to head over, there was a page for a grass fire needing structure protection. Scott responded to the call, so Kasila and I went over to the Summers. We enjoyed a fantastic meal and then sucked the boys and Maddie into some Easter fun with Kasila.  Maddie and I went out and hid the eggs for Kasila. We also hid a couple of eggs for Fischer and Cache. Kasila needed a little bit of help to get started, but once she figured it out, she was all over finding the eggs. 

Kasila tipped her bucket while trying to put an egg in, so she ended up dumping some out in the process of putting one in. It was ok though, she really liked picking up the eggs a second time. It was also kind of funny when she would accidentally kick an egg while reaching to pick it up.

After we found all the eggs, the boys decided to have a little fun with them. They juggled them...

threw the yolks at each other (which Fischer decided to use Kasila as a shield)  and they practiced their golf swing.

Kasila is a very keen child and caught on very quickly to the idea of throwing the eggs.. even two at a time.

Hanging out on the front steps.

Scott made it home in the evening and we enjoyed a nice evening watching Kasila's Easter movie..Frozen. 

Visiting Daddy

Scott had to work on Saturday, so we went for a little visit. Actually, we went with him to work since Kasila would need to get home to go to bed. Kasila loves going to the station. It's another new place to see and play around in. She loves the big recliners in the living quarters. I'm sure I've said it before, but I love being part of the fire fighter family! I love that I am able to take my baby girl and visit Scott while he is at work, as long as we are not a distraction away from his duties. 

Heading upstairs...

Driving the ladder truck!

April Showers

April has had its ups and down in the weather. We had some glorious, sun-shiny days and then we got another snow shower. It is mainly all melted away now, but that doesn't keep Kasila from finding the small piles that are left! Happy Spring!

Looking adorable in her skirt and boots. 

Kasila at the Firefighter Awards night. She unloaded my purse about 50 times. 

Sleeping next to Daddy, in an identical pose.

This was probably the last time she wore those pink boots, she is officially out of a size 2. They were her favorite; she would tried to haul them around with her even if she wasn't wearing them.

Helping with laundry in her Easter hat.

While at the Summers's on a Sunday, Kasila emptied a box of playing cards one by one. She then proceeded to put them back into the box, one by one. It took her a good 30-45 minutes, but she was very focused and intent on finishing her task. It was pretty cute and relaxing to have her entertained with something that didn't make noise or cause me to worry.

Kasila thoroughly enjoying the April snow shower. She had to make her own tracks. No walking in the tire tracks for her!

We got out all of my stuffed animals we still have and her stuffed animals. Our living room became a farm, mainly because of the amount of pigs. We had fun piling them on Dad and then Kasila. They eventually made their way into her little tent.