.fall festival weekend.

Today was the big Fall Festival in Connell. I woke up with a headache, but managed to make it to the parade and drive my parents through the parade. Isn’t this a great picture of them?!

 

Good thing Dad had Mom along with him…she was Ms. Popular with all of her students yelling at her all the way down the street. “Mrs. Koch! Mrs. Koch! I want candy Mrs. Koch! Mrs. Koch, over here!” etc etc etc! If only they could vote! It was fun to see all the support Dad has in our community and to get to see lots of people along the parade route!

I entered three quilts into the Art show at the Community Center. Unfortunately, there were only 3 other entries, which was a big bummer! I *KNOW* there are lots of quilters around Connell!!

I thought this one would win, if any of them did, but it didn’t receive anything!

 

My t-shirt quilt – I haven’t shared any pictures of it yet because it’s too hard to hold up and take a picture! It won the People’s Choice Award which was really cool! Good choice, friends!

 

This one I made for Mom in honor of her heart…and I named it “A Precious Heart.” It received the Third Place ribbon!

 

Connie & Norma Jeanne came for the weekend so it was fun to spend time with them, as always! I didn’t make it to the street dance…I still was fighting a headache and didn’t think the loud music would help me any!

Next year, quilting friends…enter your quilts in the Art Show! It’s no fun to be the only one showing!!!!

.fall festival and quilt show.

This morning, we met the Johnson fam for the parade.

Kamryn was looking super cute in her little WSU cheerleader outfit!

Kamryn & Auntie Ang (here from Geneva!)

 

The Coug family!

    

Some of the kids from CBJLS: Taylor, Emalee, and Emma

 

 

Parade watchers!
We’re smiling, but really we’re slowly melting – it was soooo hot!

 

Melissa and the Swiss

Marc Sawyer riding his Dad’s bike!

 

The CHS band and alumni marching under the direction of Mr. Kitson – again!

 

Kamryn with Uncle Dave and Auntie Ang

 

Kamryn was loving the Mexican Dancing Horses – she was dancing right along with them!

   

We went up to the Art Show after the parade. I entered 3 quilts in the quilt portion of the Art Show.

I was surprised to see a blue ribbon on one of them! How exciting!

   

 

These are the other two that I entered.

This is Melissa Kelly’s quilt for her baby girl that is due to arrive next month. I think it’s adorable!!

 

Kamryn got a ride with Jim Johnson on his walker when we went to pick my quilts up. She did not want to get off!

  

 

It was a nice day with friends – vegging in the AC with Taco Truck for lunch. Can’t get any better!

.goodbye Connell Elementary.

On June 10th, the building that has been home to Connell Elementary for the past 60+ years said goodbye to the elementary kids for the last time. The new Connell Elementary is set to open it’s doors in August.

My Mom went around the school taking pictures of it after everything was packed up. This is the building where she went to elementary school as did Melissa & I (and Mark, Doug, Karlye, & Amber).

This was Mom’s corner of Portable 3 where she taught her reading groups.

More shots of Portable 3…

This was the kindergarten classroom. I was in Mrs. Coghill’s Kindergarten class in this room!

 

This was Melissa’s classroom. When I was in school, it was Mr. Winkle’s classroom.

 

I think this was most recently Robin Smith’s classroom. I was in Mrs. Daggett’s 2nd grade class in this room. My Mom was in Miss McKinney’s 1st grade class in this room.

My Mom said she took this picture because she lost a lot of teeth in this sink!

 

I’ve never seen the hallway this empty!

    

Wondered where all the STUFF goes before it can be moved into the new elementary?

That is a lot of stuff!

  

At this point, the teachers are supposed to be able to move in to their new classrooms beginning on August 15th. The jr high will be moving into the former CE for the 2011-2012 school year while the jr high is completely remodeled. Lots of exciting things happening around the North Franklin School District!  

. community .

This evening I headed out to the basin to Bart & Susan Hawkins’ home. The drive there, especially this time of the year, is just beautiful. As you come over the hill on Wahluke Road and get the first glimpse of the Rowley/Hawkins farm, it’s the most beautiful sight! I had to slow down and take a picture!

This is the view from their back porch. Can’t get much prettier than that!

Hawkins’ have an appreciation BBQ every June for their kids’ teachers, administrators, coaches, and church leaders. It is the coolest tradition and it is always a really fun time. Their yard is like a park for kids with a trampoline, swings, slides, a badmitton net, a volleyball net, see saws, and other playground toys. The kids all have so much fun and the adults have a great time gabbing.

I think I missed this part tonight, but usually my favorite part is before the meal, everyone stands in a circle and the Hawkins’ kids introduce their guests. I’ve gone each year since I’ve worked at CHS – while I’ve been there, three Hawkins’ kids have graduated (Julie, Aaron, & Alan) and next year two will be in high school (MarciAnne & Jessica). I just love this family and the way they raise their kids.

Thanks Bart & Susan and kids for another fun evening. You are gracious hosts and provide a really fun time!

...bringing home the trophy...

I'm sneaking in this post from my parent's computer. I couldn't let this moment pass by!

On Saturday, the Connell Lady Eagles Softball team won the state championship! It was a sweet sweet victory after a long and emotionally hard season.

The tradition at CHS for state championship teams is to ride the fire trucks through town and take the trophy on a victory parade through the elementary school. I think it's a fun tradition - it doesn't take much, but I think it makes the teammates proud!

Kate & Kayla, the captains of the team...

I'm so proud of these girls for overcoming obstacles to reach their goal. They did it!! Way to represent, girls!

(Thanks Mom & Jennifer for the pictures...)

...snow? welcome to Connell!...

One of the reasons I really love where I live is that none of the seasons are too extreme. Sure, it gets to 100+ in July/August, but with no humidity. Sure, it gets to 0 in the winter, but usually not much snow.

Well - the predictions this fall were that we were going to have a bad winter and guess what? Mother Nature isn't wasting her time.

It started snowing and blowing last night around 10:30pm. I figured we'd have a 2-hour delay. I got the call around 5:25am - and couldn't go back to sleep. Awesome.

As today went on, it got colder, it snowed, the sky got darker...and surprise! Practice was cancelled!!

About 45 minutes ago, we got the message that there's at least a 2-hour delay tomorrow!

There's a winter storm warning until 10am tomorrow. On the news, they're showing 7" of snow and we're supposed to get 3-7" more! WOW!

Right now, it's so dark outside, I can't see the street lights. It's snowing pretty hard.

I'm snuggled up on the couch, under a new quilt, with Samson - coffee is brewing, downloaded a new CD - I could be here for a while! :) I hate making up days in June, but oh, snow days are so enjoyable in the moment.

…field of dreams…

Dirt is moving fast around Connell lately – and not just because it’s been pretty windy!

Work on phase #2 of the Field of Dreams has begun with the work of dedicated local farmers & community members. When those guys put their minds to something, they don’t waste any time!

Eventually, this area will have 2 baseball fields and 2 softball fields –and it will complete the Field of Dreams that was started about 15 years ago.

Many many local farmers have donated their time and their equipment to get this job done. Just another reason why I love this community – people are so generous!

It’s pretty exciting to see the transformation day by day. I don’t know how all these farmers know how to also be excavators, but who am I to question them? Looks good so far!