Advent Spiral

Deep Mid-Winter drawing near, Darkness in our Garden here.  One small flame yet bravely burns, to show a path which ever turns.  Earth, please bear us as we go, Seeking Light to send a-glow:  Branches green and moss and fern, Mark our path to trace each turn.  Brother animals, teach us too, To serve with patience as you do.  We walk with candle toward the Light, While Earth awaits with hope so bright:  In the Light which finds new birth, Love may spread o'er all the Earth.  Deep Mid-Winter drawing near, May Light arise in our Garden hear.  

Every child walks into the center of the spiral to light their candle from the center and then places it along the path as they walk out.  As the darkness of winter surrounds us, each child is reminded of their inner light. 

Boy's camping trip with Papa

Our little Christmas tree grows a little each year. 

Getting to spend a girl's weekend in Hana for a total recharge.

Thanksgiving rainbow

A Jackson with a jackson

This is Kai's first year playing violin.  We are so proud of his accomplishments.  He has taken on this instrument as if he has played it before.  He has a natural gift to play any song he wants by ear and to figure out songs on any instrument he gets his hands on. 

I love me some Ms. Beth.  My super good friend from my Waldorf Remedial Training.  We got to play in Philly together.  FUN!!!!

As luck would have it, my Dad was in PA at the same time I was consulting with a school 20 min. away from where he was staying at my aunt's house.  It has been 6 years too long.

I was also lucky to be able to be with my Nana on her 93rd birthday.  Here she is cracking up at how my hips come up to her breasts. 

In Asheville, NC for my sister Cody's wedding and to celebrate my sister Annie's new cabin.  We are pictured here in her new yard. 

Getting to see old college buddy Scott and his girlfriend.

Connecting with my friend Glen and his two beautiful children.

Always getting goofy with my college buddy Jamie. 

Got to hang with these two beautiful folks in Chapel Hill, NC.  We were in Waldorf Teacher training together. 

Drove from Raleigh to Asheville with awesome Bill, another college buddy of mine. 

This little guy lost his second tooth.

Kai with our three lady hens - Little Red, German Girl and Speedy.

Kai's 4th grade class took a field trip to the summit of Haleakala to plant Silverswords.  Read more by clicking on the word.

This little guy turned 7 years old on 10/10/17 and had a Ninja Birthday Party.

Each child had to find and pick up a ninja mini lego figure with chopsticks

Ninja oranges

Ninja cheese

Ninja sushi

Party favors- flying ninja that came in fortune cookies

Ninja obstacle course

Test your ninja moves without touching the yarn.

Ninja tree walkers

This fall I went to southern California for a conference and also got to see my dear friend Kimberly.

I love working with these ladies.  We are delegates for our school and get to attend 3 conferences a year together.  We do actually work really hard.

Feeling lucky that on my Southern California trip, I also got to spend time with Michael. 

Kai on a field trip up at Haleakala National Park.

43!  Look Out!  The Amazonian Queens just took over the boat.

Best birthday party ever!!!

Jeff got me this beautiful Ganesha statue for my birthday.  

My mom moved to Maui in August and is living with us. 

The Michaelmas Festival.  Each year every Waldorf school worldwide celebrates Michaelmas.  Read more about this festival by clicking on the purple word. 

Performing Hula at the St. John's Festival.

Kai's first day of fourth grade

Isaac's first day of first grade

Learning to shake hands with his teacher Ms. Thomases

Every year on the first day of school, the 8th grade welcomes the new 1st graders by presenting them with a rose.  Each first grader is given an 8th grade buddy.  Isaac loves his buddy. 

Visiting the Hokule'a - "Star of Gladness".  Hawaii's voyaging Canoe.  Click on Hokule'a to read the history behind it.

Kai joined the Hawaiian Canoe club this year and paddles with me every Sunday.  These awesome uncles have taken him under their wings.  One of them purchased the paddle, one made the paddle and one did the artwork.  Kai wanted a tribal Hawaiian crow with a blue moon (since he was born on the blue moon). 

Kai is learning about local history in 4th grade.

He is also learning about Norse Mythology.

Kai started violin lessons at school this year.  He loves it and seems to have a natural gift for it.  He practiced a few times naked wearing his cape.  LOL

Jeff and I got to spend a glorious day hiking up Mr. Sopris.  What a gift.  Hiking in the mountains is one of my most favorite things to do. 

Our friend Dave is a pilot and he took us up in his plane to fly over Mt. Sopris and our house.  Kai got to fly for a bit.  Very exciting.

Isaac's favorite part about flying was to talk through his headphones to Kai about legos. 

Meet Whiplash, the rodeo monkey.  Very fun night out at the Carbondale rodeo. 

Always special times at the cabin in Durango.

Durango, CO with one of my previous students.  I taught Payson from 3rd-5th grades.  So fun to catch up and hear about his life and accomplishments. 

Brother Time

We love Nana and Grandaddy and Uncle E.  We had the most special visit with them this summer at the cabin. 

Uncle E. time.

Sweet Nana Lovings.

Aztec Ruins, NM

From Maui oceans to Colorado rivers.

The boys and their friend thought it would be really funny to stage a skeleton in the middle of the road in one of the neighborhoods in Carbondale.  They thought they made everything look very real and thought they would really scare some folks.  Pretty cute. 

Summer critter catching

My boys with their midwife George. 

Carbondale Mountain Fair with my ladies

We had the honor of attending a Native American Sun Dance with my mom and Kai.  Something they have been doing together for the last 3 years. 

Isaac lost his first tooth on our first day in CO.  He got a little tooth baby and a golden dollar. 

One of my favorite views from one of my favorite places.  Mt. Sopris from Mushroom Rock

This year we attended the Carbondale and Redstone Fourth of July Parades.  Great way to reconnect with everyone!!! So fun!

Kai loved being Jose's ranch hand on the water buffalo ranch this summer in Carbondale.

Always special times when we get to be with the Gardner family.  Meg was with me when Isaac was born and Solomon and Kai have been buddies since birth. 

 

Spending some special time with my dear friend Rafia (Sharon).  We were in teacher training together and she now lives in Boulder. 

 

Every accredited Waldorf school has 2 delegates to represent them regionally and nationally for conferences.  In the summers we have our national conference and this year was in Portland, OR.   I enjoy going and have the pleasure of seeing all my colleagues from previous schools I have gone to.  Pictured here are two beautiful ladies that I was in Waldorf teacher training with. 

My dear colleague Kim, who works with me now and Kathy, who is now the administrator at the Austin Waldorf School.  I was her son's class teacher in Austin. 

Our good friend Cabe moved to Portland.  We became friends in Austin many moons ago. 

So many of our friends moved from Austin to Portland.  I can see why.  The two cities have a similar feel.  Great Food too!

We started off our summer in LA and Fallbrook, CA visiting Pasha.