Back from Virginia

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Erik and I just got back from taking Jessica to SVU for another year of school. It was a new experience for Erik seeing the southern life. With Jessica, we visited Richmond and Charlottesville. Charlottesville is definitely the better town. It's so charming,collegiete and a bit artsy. The next day, we travelled to Buena Vista and stayed with Jessica's professor/bishop (The Stoddards) and had a great time watching the Olympics with D'Ann Stoddard. Erik was so excited to stay in Orson Scott Card's room since he's reading Ender's Shadow. The Stoddards let OSC stayed at their home and have his own room when he teaches at SVU.

Summer Days

Last week we finally took our boat trip on The Portland Spirit. My Peter Pan cast gave us the trip as a thank you present. So all of us, including Elizabeth and Tyler, traveled up the Williamete River for a two hour trip. Sadly, only John hadn't been on the boat, so some of us weren't super enthused to be on the boat. (Too much of the good life) It was still a relaxing and leisurely way to spend the afternoon.
This week Ian heads up to Tacoma to attend Especially For Youth. I'm excited for him to have this experience to grow spiritually. Our friends, Nathan and Jacob Forkey will be there at the same time, so they can keep an eye out for him. Jessica is into her last week of work before heading back to Southern Virginia University. It hardly seems as if she's been here and now she's off again. Erik and I are going to take her back, so we will have our own little adventure in Williamsburg after we drop her off and get her settled into her place. John and Ian will be backpacking in The Wallowa Mountains with the Varsity Scouts while we are gone. Ian is beyond excited to try out his "incredible hammock" and put his "backpacking light" skills to the test.
I am trying to get the boys straightened out in their new schools for the fall. Hopefully it is the right decision for them... It feels right and the boys are looking forward to a change.