Salmon Studies

We have been having a blast at Salmon Studies the past few weeks. Since spring has arrived, the forest grows and changes every week.

Everyone got a kick out of it, when we all realized the skunk cabbage leaves have grown to be as big as Naomi! And yes, they do smell really bad!

We are able to release some salmon into the stream!

Darrick took the morning off of work one week to join the class!

Micah and Naomi releasing their salmon.

Jacob and Darrick releasing their salmon.

Sometimes they are in the classroom.

Lexi and Naomi are the youngest members of the class. This is one of the things I love the most about HSA. They are super family friendly. As a parent you are invited to join in the class anytime. All the staff has grown to love Naomi and include her in all activities. She loves it.

The boys carving nature prints on tree fungus.

Out for a beautiful hike to gather and observe nature. This is learning at its best!

There were wild berries all over the trail, that the kids got to try.

HSA Field Day

At the end of the school year, HSA puts on a Field Day for all current and new families. I was asked to co-chair the event and it turned out great!

We started with a delicious potluck. There was all kinds of things for the kids to do but the most popular were chalk and bubbles.

Then it was time for organized games. Micah joined in the sack race and won!

The boys decided to be partners for the 3-legged race, which didn't go too well for them.

Right after this picture was taken, they fell.

The day ended with a pinata and ice cream!

Nature close to home

The other day when we were coming home from our home school class we saw 2 beautiful creatures in the culdesac across from ours. It is a vacant lot waiting for houses to be built. They stayed around and let the kids and I watch them eat. So cool!

Our Beautiful Girl

Cadet-o-rama 2010

The boys are part of a group at our church called Cadets. It can best be described as a Christian Boy Scouts. My brothers were a part of it when they were growing up. Darrick goes with them every week and they do all kinds of "boys" stuff.

A few weeks ago they had "Cadet-o-rama". It is a gathering of all the local cadets in the Seattle area. They started the day with donuts and juice and then all kinds of games and challenges. After a lunch of pizza it was time for the pinewood derby.

Micah, Hendrick and Jacob and their cars.

At the end of the day, the Hays Boys represented!

Micah got 1st place in his age division and Jacob took 2nd in his! What is their secret you may ask? There are Gutierrez family secrets that have been passed down to Darrick from my Dad.

There was also a time for the boys to display projects they did at their Cadet meetings. The boys made a board game.

Jacob took 1st place and Micah took 3rd! We are so proud of them!

Darrick was asked by Mr. D, the leader, to be a co-leader with him next year! It looks like more fun times are ahead!

Fun Project at HSA

A few weeks ago at HSA (Home School Alternative)they had a fun project for the kids to participate in. They got to design their own plate on a circular piece of paper. Then they got sent off to the company and were made into plates. It is so fun for the kids to eat on their own plate at meal times!

I wrote Naomi's name on hers and then she drew her person on upside down!

Sunflower Science

We started a new science project that is directly related to our garden.

The first thing we did was make science journals to record our data.

Next, each of the kids chose one sunflower as their own and we put a tag on it. Then they took time to examine it and describe it in their journal. They counted the leaves and then drew a picture.

Their next step was to measure it and then we took a photo of them with it to see how it grows. Then they made predictions about how tall they think it will grow and recorded that in their journals!

Micah measuring

Garden Update

It is finally spring in Washington! Our once bare woods behind our house is coming to life again and filling in nicely.

Our sunflowers are taking off!

We are starting to see little green baby strawberries!

Everything looks healthy!

Little Raspberries

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

What can I say about my Mom? She is just wonderful! She is the kindest, most gentle woman I know. Every time I call her on the phone she greets me with a joyful "Hi honey! It is so good to hear from you!" No matter what I am going through she is there for me with words of encouragement. We are both very different. I am stubborn, opinionated and strong-willed and spontaneous, she is not. But she never says my ideas are crazy. Just "Are you sure you can handle 5 kids honey?" I miss her every day and wish so much that we lived closer. She is an amazing Nana to my kids and they adore her. You have a beautiful smile and the most gorgeous blue eyes. Through your example you have taught me how to be a great mom and really love my kids. You have shown me how to support my husband through small acts-although I still don't make a lunch for Darrick every night!

I love you mom! Happy Mother's Day! xoxo

Some Videos

We posted a bunch of things for you to watch from a couple of months ago, but we are just getting them uploaded now! Enjoy!

The kids first time in the snow!

It's hard to walk in snow for the first time!

Who needs a sled?

The boys sledding

Not as young as I use to be!

Sledding Wipe Out

Kids singing song they learned at Sunday School

Adoption Update

Yesterday we got a call from our Social Worker, Carol. She said that the only thing we are waiting for is our back ground checks from Hawaii. We have actually been waiting for them to come in for awhile. Once they come in then our packet goes to the licenser it will take about 2 weeks to get our license. Once we get our license then we can be matched with our new kids!

It is really easy to get frustrated with the process and wonder why it is taking so long. Darrick and I were talking last night. One thing that we really learned from Naomi's adoption is that everything happens in God's timing. The timing must not be right yet, but we sure can't wait until it is!

Carol said to give it a few weeks and if we don't get the papers from Hawaii she is going to call them and see what the hold up is.