Baby Blair

Finally we met our new cousin Blair! Between sports and sickness I was
worried she'd be one before the Ohler clan ever met her! She is more
adorable than words!!!! Welcome to the FAMBLY!

Happy Birthday Kate!

Kate turned 11 on Saturday! For her birthday we got up at 5:45 am and
went to play a soccer game in the freezing cold! How appropriate for
my little girl who lives for soccer and loves competition! Watching
Kate play soccer (or any other sport) is one of the things that bring
me great joy. I love how she figures out the angles and the other
players before anyone else can and I love how powerful and strong and
confident she is! She is a great leader (on and off the field)!!

This is a picture of Kate standing in our closet getting ready to
measure her height, her goal every year? Be taller than her sister :-).

KJ pic

Kristen "do the right thing" award

Kristen received the do the right thing award on Thursday. She was
beautiful and very well spoken! We are super proud of the way she
handles herself every day! When the link is up on kmov I will post it
so you can see her award! We saw her on tv last night and we were all
very excited!

Wil birdhouses

Today in Wil's LEAP class they constructed birdhouses! It was such a fun morning and I was lucky enough to help (although it was VERY loud!).







Here is the email sent by his teacher....
Today was filled with an incredible energy as spring is undoubtedly here and our migrating bird friends are returning to establish territories, find mates, and build nests. It was with high spirits that we held our fourth annual Birdhouse Clinic, and I want to thank the volunteers who worked hard to “assist” our students! How brave you all were to allow the students to take on the bulk of the hammering responsibilities while you held the birdhouse pieces together with exposed fingers!!! I want to also thank those of you who sent in extra birdhouse kits which insured that every student got to make a birdhouse and take it home! My biggest thanks goes out to the students. They really rose to the occasion. They worked tirelessly to master hammer and nail and put these birdhouses together. As I observed them, I was pleased to see the spirit of cooperation spread from one student to another as they worked as partners to accomplish this goal. In addition, the generational divide between students and adult helpers melted away as everyone caught the spirit of working together to accomplish a goal. Because of these partnerships today, our young stewards of the earth will make a connection with their backyard habitats that will further their understanding that caring for the earth begins at home. The birdhouses will also serve as a reminder to them that all living things need sanctuary…a place to live and feel safe. Hopefully you’ll be able to install them in your backyard and a bird family will move in!

Kate and Kristen and clothes

Ok I hope you can read this cartoon...it IS Kate and Kristen. They are constantly bargaining (or charging $) with each other on who can wear who's clothes. When I saw it I laughed so hard! Raising girls is so fun! LOL!

Camelback Mountain pics

All of these were taken by Amy &/or the kids on the hike!

Swimming pics

We have had beautiful weather while we are here in Phoenix for spring break. Here are some pics from our day of swimming!

Camelback pics

Yes! I will be the first to admit that I am totally out of shape, but here are some pictures of the "hike" up camelback mountain. This is the "trail" LOL...not a trail but several straight climbs (feeling the need to clarify since I am taking flack for not making it all the way! I would have but I was not in shape to "sprint" to the top as my kids and sis did, and they were ready to head back down! LOL! I will do it again!) It was unlike anything that I ever attempted before! Awesome!

Dave n Buster Phoenix

We celebrated Megan's birthday tonight with a trip to D&B. Little did
we know games were half price! Soooo of course we set the record for
most tickets cashed in at one time over 18,000! It was a riot trying
to spend the booty! Kids said it was the best night of their life!
Happy 5th birthday Meg's!!

Sedona Pics

Drove to Sedona about 2.5 hours away. The drive is mostly straight up from Phoenix, about 4,500 feet above sea level (Phoenix is about 1,000 ft)! It was fun to watch the vegetation change and you definitely knew when you reached to top of the mesa, even though there were still more climbs from there. As always, there is never enough time. We at shopped, ate lunch, shopped, hiked, took some fab pictures and then it was time to head back. Several places on the way back that we wanted to stop, but no time! We will have to go again!

Sedona

Spent Tuesday in Sedona with kids and mom! More pics to follow!

Camelback mountain

Kids and Chutka made it to the top of the 1.2 mile CLIMB! Mom made it
3/4 mile! Oh my!

Breakfast

Pinnacle Peak Pictures

Oranges for breakfast

Spring break

The kids made it to Phoenix after a 5 hour delay. They were glad to be with cousins a day earlier than mom! They went to the Phoenix zoo on Friday. Friday night I flew down, uneventful flight :-). Today we went for a walk and of course ate oranges and grapefruit off the tree. The kids had several "BEAR" meetings (sorry Columbia cousins :-) and they performed their version of little red riding hood (video to follow). We also went to Pinnicale peak for a late afternoon hike. Then out to dinner. The kids are now playing the game of Life and chillin out for the evening! Good start to the vaca! Wish everyone was here!!

KJ Choir

Congrats to Kristen's 7th grade choir for receiving a "1" (highest
rating) at their state competition on Wednesday.

Undefeated

Congrats to Kate's basketball team ( and her coach, ME!) for another
undefeated season! So super proud of how much the girls have learned
over the past six years!!!! Loved coaching you Katie Bee!!!

Champions!!

Wil's U9 Squid team took first place in the weekend tournmant at
Vetta! Wil played amazing and the whole team was wicked fast! Congrats
Wil!!

Newspaper

Kate is on the front page of the suburban journal today! Here she is
asking the Tuskegee airman a question as part of our black history
celebration.