Another Kane Laker

It was a mother's dream this year - all FIVE of her kiddos going off to the SAME school on the SAME campus.  William became a WPS Laker this year as a PK3er with Mrs. Hickey.  He has the distinction of being the only Kane kid that attended WPS in PK3.  William was so excited (and adorable) in his uniform!  Mrs. Hickey is one of the most beloved teachers in all of WPS and we were so thrilled to see that William was going to be in her class.  When we went to meet the teacher, William gave Mrs. Hickey a huge hug right away.  I knew this was going to be a perfect match!!  We feel so lucky for William to be at WPS this year!!

Cutest Little Laker EVER!!

Back to School 2011-2012

What a monumental occasion - all five Kanes starting school, all at the same school - but not all on the same day!!  The "littles" - my elementary kids started a day earlier than the "bigs".  I was very happy for William to be starting PK3 - a little sentimental but I only signed him up for half day.  I could tell the minute we walked into Mrs. Hickey's class that this was going to be the perfect place for William. 

Julia had Mrs. Vander Meulen - her PK4 teacher.  She is the perfect teacher for Julia - calm, funny, sporty and kind!!  We know Julia would thrive in her classroom.  Matthew had Mrs. Supraner - Katie's 4th grade teacher.  She is a hard nosed, tough, academic teacher - perfect for Matthew!!  

Anxious to see how the year goes!!  I am sure I will be volunteering more with all of them there.  I am on the PTA board this year and I think that will be fun and keep me connected!!  Here is to a great year!

On the bridge - William - PK3, Julia - 1st Grade, Matthew - 4th Grade

All my Lakers!!!  

Katie - 8th grade, Andrew - Freshman

William and Coach Ratt - his most anticipated part of coming to WPS

The amazing Mrs. Hickey!!  We are so thrilled to be in PK3 with her!!

WPS Laker pancakes - don't get used to this.  This is a first day of school creation only!

So brave - went right into his classroom!!

There couldn't be a cuter Laker around!!  

Always first one up, ready before everyone else, knows where everything is - Mr. Focused!!

We couldn't have been happier to see Julia's First Grade Teacher is Mrs. V - our teacher from PK4!!!!

Fabulous First Graders!!!!  Best class ever!!

Hiking the Olympics

Our final activity on our Summer 2011 Vacation Adventure ended with a trip to the Olympic Mountains with Aunt Mere, Uncle Jeff, Pete and John for a huge, beautiful hike.  The weather was looking really bad on the way up - rainy, cloudy and not nice at all.  Aunt Mere was getting nervous that it wouldn't be a good day for a hike, but as we got farther up, what a beautiful day we had.  We had a picnic at the base and then started our hike.  Aunt Mere kept the little kids at the bottom - playing with snow, looking for animals, playing games and basically keeping them busy while we did our hike.

I can not remember how far we walked but it was so pretty - so many wildflowers, animals, and the views were breathtaking!!  We spend so much time outside (but it is usually at the ball field), that this was such a breath of fresh airs (literally and figuratively).  Matthew and Julia did great - not a complaint and it was a lot of walking with a lot of steep inclines.  Uncle Jeff is such a great guide - we really had a fantastic day!!

View from the Top!!  Majestic!

Before the hike.  Everyone energized and ready to go!

My two big guys!!  So lucky to have these wonderful men in my life!

We made it to the top!!  This picture actually doesn't show how high we had to hike to get here!

So awesome to see wild deer roaming right next to us!

And mountain goats!  Julia LOVED them!!

So thankful for Uncle Jeff and his hiking guidance!!  Loved this trip with him!

Uncle Jeff was a little uncertain if our 6 year old girl could make it up to the top!!  She hiked like a trooper, never complaining and sometimes even running!!  And she did it all in style!

So beautiful in the Pacific Northwest.  This was one of our best vacation days as a family - out in nature, God's beauty, and all together!!  And thanks Aunt mere for keeping #5 and your boys down at the bottom.  

Downtown Seattle

Right after the cruise, we went back to Team Browand for some fun time with my sister and her family!!  We took my mom to the airport and then the next day - BOOM - Seattle!!  We had such a fabulous day.  It was Matthew, Julia and William's first time in Seattle!  We left early in the am and caught the ferry!!  We spent the day sightseeing, eating, went on a tour of Safeco field, and then the big kids, Uncle Jeff and Sean took in a night game!!  The littles, Aunt Mere and I headed back to Port Orchard.  

A super great day!!

My five on the ferry!

Downtown Seattle

Waiting for the tour!!  All decked out in our Mariner's gear!

Hopefully someday one of these kids will be sitting in the press room of a major league team!!

On the field!

My ballplayers in the dugout!!

Vacation Birthday Boy - #4

Not to shabby ... William celebrated his birthday on our big summer vacation.  I predict that this will probably be the way his birthday is celebrated most years.  Usually the last week of July and first week of August are the only two weeks we all have together.  I think cruising to Alaska and spending a week with your cousins is a pretty good compromise to a birthday at home.  We spent his actual birthday in Seattle doing the whole tourist day.   We did a cool tour of the Mariner's stadium and William got a jersey from our tour guide.  We did cake and pizza back at Aunt Mere's house that night.  

A few days before his birthday, we were on the cruise and our server did a special dessert and song for William.  William loved the attention and was so happy.  When we got back to Florida, we did gifts and a special meal.  I think William got three separate, special birthday celebrations!!  Where will we be on his 5th birthday?  Let's not rush it - I want to slow down time and keep my little guy little. 

Special cake from our server, Ferry.

Huge piece of cake and we didn't even make him share.  Love that their is a matchbox car on the table.  

Uncle Jeff made sure William had an awesome baseball cake.

Daddy bought him his own special monkey cake. 

Petey and John giving William his presents!!

Even got letters in Seattle!!

Victoria, British Columbia

The boys and the girls split up in Victoria.  We headed the the famous Empress Hotel to have high tea.  It was one of the best parts of the entire cruise!!  The food was amazing and it was so lovely to have this special day with my mom and my girls.  Victoria was absolutely stunning and the weather perfect!!  We had tea, walked all around town, looked at all the amazing flowers and then headed back to the ship.  I don't think the boys lasted that long in town - they were already back at the ship when we got there.  Loved, loved, loved this day!!!