Keeping up with the Allaire family: April 2010

Easter 2010

After a long night of Gavin with the croup, we spend Easter at my cousin Kathy's in Ontario. The wind was so cold, we ended up having our Easter egg hunt in the house. Ashlyn was up at 6:00 ready to wear he pretty dress that had been hanging in her closet for a month... Waiting for the day... I guess it serves me right for making her wait so long.

Finding his treasures

Beautiful girl

George and Reba

The main reason we headed to the Portland area, other than to see Big and Cori, was to attend the George Strait and Reba McEntyre concert. We had the most amazing seats. We got a suite where we had drinks served to us, a private bathroom and our own dance floor.

In this picture are my brothers, Buck, Big, Andy, and of course Gifford right before the concert.

My sistas Megan and Cori. Not sure where my other sister in law Sam is. I am so blessed to have these ladies in my life!

I don't have any pictures of the concert because I wasn't sure if they would allow cameras there or not... and my camera is too nice to risk it. However you can see actual footage of the show on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGYQqR-1yDk

Portland Zoo

After looking for a parking spot for over 3 hours, (not even kidding) we finally arrived at the Portland Zoo. What a mad house it was. I have never seen so many people at a zoo. We found out later that night that the zoo experienced record numbers that day. What are the odds.

We are at the petting zoo part of the zoo and people around us are commenting on the terrible smell they are experiencing. Ashlyn turned around to one black lady complaining and proceeded to tell her that it was poop...all animals poop. I was mortified. She just kinda smiled and shrugged it off.

Here we all are, waiting in line to ride the train. The picture above was taken right before Ashlyn fell off the bar and cracked her head on the sidewalk.

Cori and Conrad waiting for the train to take off.

A view of the engine

The monkey house is always a favorite.

Look mom it's Pumba.

Very odd looking hogs. Hairless and tusks growing out their nose.

Nap time!

By far the biggest seal lion I have EVER seen.

The giraffe was one the the kids' favorites.

Look at the striped horses mommy!

There were several people around us, and one was tell his kids about these coyotes....I couldn't resist. Not sure if it is the teacher in me or what, but I had to inform them that these were not coyotes. I had to chuckle.

The newest addition to the zoo

Perhaps the most famous Oregonian. This is "Packy". One of the first elephants born in captivity, at least in this zoo. He is also the proud papa of 11 babies.

Beverly Beach

Our kids have seen the ocean numerous times, but this was the first time they actually got to go down to the beach. So for spring break, my sister-in-law Cori and her boys took us to the ocean so that we could play on the beach. What a glorious time we all had.

This was a sign on the way to the beach. Gifford found it to be funny as if to say, what, we can't go the beach?

Here we are, starting to get used to the huge sandbox (as Ashlyn put it) and thinking about taking our shoes off to wade in the frigid waters.

Not long after I took this picture, a large wave came in and knocked Ashlyn down. Hence is why she is wearing different clothes in the picture below.

By her own thought, Ashlyn decided to make a "sand angel" instead of a "snow angel." All in all, we had so much fun.

Hanging out around the house

These are just some random pictures we have taken the past couple of months in our very, small house...so please excuse the clutter (The house is SMALLER than my classroom).

Gavin and Daddy napping

Ashlyn posing with her "Patches Bear."

What makes laundry baskets sooooo fun?

Our Christmas pup, Maggie.

Breast Cancer Game

Our school this year did a breast cancer awareness game where the entire basketball team shaved their heads for money. All in all, we raised over $300. For a school of 65 kids, that's pretty good! Our math teacher even got in on the festivities and shaved his head during half-time. We also honored cancer survivors with carnations at the game. I love working for a small school!

Here is the entire team. Great job guys!

Our math teacher even got in on the festivities and shaved his head during half-time.

We also honored cancer survivors with carnations at the game. I love working for a small school!

Valentine's at school

Being a high school teacher, we have different fund raisers throughout the year. For Valentine's Day, we have a cookie/carnation sale and this year these items were delivered by cupid. This student isn't even part of the class I sponsor, but is a great sport and volunteered to do this for us. He even put on Ashlyn's fairy wings to fit the part. Thank you Nick for being such a great sport.

Valentine Program

The preschool Ashlyn goes to has little programs for every holiday. This is the one they had for Valentine's day. Ashlyn does much better if she does not have a direct view of us watching. She gets embarrassed so easily. For some reason, the website does not want to cooperate with uploading the movie..hopefully this will load.... Well, apparently it will not load up...but I assure you it was precious

Kindermusik with the Akers family

Ashlyn and Gavin went to a Kindermusik class during March. This is a class where children learn basic movements and develop speech through music. We are good friends with the teacher and her husband so our children decided to play dress up after the class was over.