stevenandkeri + 3

After a two month absence, the stevenandkeri blog is up and running. For all 3 followers, i hope we have not disappointed you.

Our thankfulness tree! It has become a great way for our family to list what we are thankful for during the month of November.

Topping the tree with the star! Emma absolutely loved this part of the tree experience.

Drew’s version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Sisters!

Someone has been messing with the ornaments. 🙂

Craft project Saturday!

John and I strategizing before the race. It was intense as you can tell. 😉

Carol, Keri, and Sophie cheering us on!

What a fun way to celebrate my birthday. Spensts – you guys are super fun!

Rave in the minivan?

Papa and Drewman

Frosty the teacher? A parent in my class created these bottles for our class Christmas party. Fun times!

Car wash!

During the early part of July, Keri and I were able to take a vacation together to the beautiful city of San Diego, CA. It is important to note that it was a vacation, not a family trip. One of my good buddies informed me of the difference and I totally agree. Vacation = No kids. Family Trip = Kids too. I was asked to be apart of the Sally Ride Science Academy for upper elementary teachers. The training was fantastic, probably the best professional development that I’ve experienced as a teacher. The entire goal is to train teachers who will go back and train other teachers in their district on how to integrate “cool careers” in science to the current science curriculum that is being used in their district. So many students, particularly girls, give up on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) because they don’t see these fields as ways to benefit society or have the opportunity to engage with others while working. Kids want to make a difference and we as educators need to find a way to make STEM careers engaging and relevant. Quick assessment of how you view science…. Take one minute and list as many scientist (STEM people count) that you know. Once you’ve done that, count up how many on your list are dead, white, men. I was shocked when I saw that the majority of my list was comprised of dead, white, men No wonder kids are having a hard time connecting with STEM!

The training was over most days by either lunch or 3pm at the latest which provided tons of opportunities for Keri and I to enjoy and explore San Diego. We had the help of our friends Glen and Kristin who are native San Diegoans (is that a word?) in finding the most enjoyable things to do to maximize our time.

Staying at the Lodge at Torrey Pines was fantastic! All you golf enthusiast would have loved playing on this course if you would be willing to cough up the $300 + to play one round!

The croquet area is where we I had my breakfast and lunch provided during the conference. Yum!

In the afternoons Keri and I would tear up the same course with our mad croquet skills. Let it be known that I dominated the competition!

The Hotel Del Mar, famous for it’s rich history… Interested? Google it, because I’ve forgotten most of the history, but it was beautiful!

Skyline of San Diego – Oh how I miss you and your 60 – 70 degree weather.

The largest outdoor organ in the world. Not a huge fan of organ music, but the outdoor concerts, one organ and one big band, were great fun!

Balboa Park, beautiful. relaxing. big.

Keri spent her mornings doing this.

While I spent my mornings doing this.

We love a good hike and La Jolla, pronounced La Hoya, did not disappoint. It was crazy to hike in a desert that is located right on the beach.

I got Keri two different kites for her birthday. This was my first attempt. Fail! However, once we got to a location that didn’t have massive cliffs blocking the wind it was a lot of fun!

La Jolla is known for their Torrey Pines. These pines are only found in two locations world wide, here and in one other location close to La Jolla. The pine needles are in clusters of fives. Very cool. Very pretty.

Food was an important part of our trip. Keri had the opportunity to connect with one of her former small group girls who she mentored. Rachel is spending the summer in San Diego working and serving with CRU. Very cool!

Our sea shell hunting extravaganza. We found quite a bit for our little girl back home. 🙂

Glenn and Kristin are going to be the owner operators of this Chick – fil – A in Encinitas! Whoot Whoot!

We found this quaint beeswax candle shop thanks to a worker in the gift shop at the Lodge. She made some awesome candles that they were selling and she told us we should check this place out.

Success. Kite flying is fun if you have wind and a good kite!

In – N – Out. Animal Style. Enough said.

Get your…. Obama Cookie…. Hmmm.

Delicious.

We loved our time at La Jolla Beach and were thankful that we were not one of the 62 people that were stung by stingrays while we were there!

Glenn had mentioned that his dad was going to bring sand castle materials. I was thinking he was bringing materials from Target which could be fun; however I got stoked when I realized his materials were from Home Depot (tons of 5 gallon buckets, 2 shovels, clamps, plastic barriers, etc)! It was game time!

The bottom layer was created by adding tons of water and sand and water and sand and water and sand until we reached the top of the barrier. Once we were finished three grown men could stand on the base!

At the completion of our castle, we had 2 towers standing 7 feet and 5 feet respectively which were connected together by a sand bridge. It was nothing short of amazing!

While at La Jolla Beach we also had the opportunity to take a kayak/snorkel tour of some caves along the coastline. The tour was awesome however the pictures leave a lot to be desired. We were able to swim into the caves along the sandstone cliffs. We swam with leopard sharks and rays and had sea lions swimming right next to our kayak. It was an amazing experience.

The last day was spent at the San Diego Zoo. Highlights included watching zookeepers care for the elephants and our opportunity to feed the giraffes. San Diego, well done. Your zoo did not disappoint.

Our trip ended where it began, Con Pane. Our favorite sandwich and bread shop was excellent and left us looking forward to next time each time we ate there. This trip, all seven nights and eight days with no children, was fabulous! We will remember it for a very long time.

stevenandkeri + 3

Happy Birthday Drew!

Sophie’s growing!

Fellas Campout 2013

Snow days and surprises!

Merry Christmas!

Sophie Joy!

Tis the season…. to catch up on blogging

Fun October

On the quest for diamonds!

San Diego