Matt's 5th grade camping trip

Matt and his friend Zach checking out the ponds.

Lunch break.

Searching for critters in the stream.

Matt helped inventory the lunch supplies.

Matt doing his thing.

Matt loves to give hugs!

I just had to share a few of Matt's pictures from his 5th grade camping trip to Camp Delany last Wednesday (the 13th). He had a great time and even admitted to his boy cabin going over to the girls' cabin and pulling some pranks and scaring them. NO! My boy is not allowed to notice girls yet! :) Deb

Finally... Hawaii pictures and more!

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Mr. Moses Lake and Father and Sons Campout

Josh, Matt (and friend Brian)- Yea for camping!

Josh and his walking stick (Dad wouldn't let him bring it home)

Inside....

"The Tent"

Watch out! Josh has an ax!

James - my next year's ASB president.

Shelby (my ASB pres) and the mayor at FMS jogathon.

Mr. Moses Lake contestants showing their stuff.

Nicole and Jordan (my ASB Public Relations officer)

Let's get physical.... a little scary!

The little Blues Brothers

Pokemon- gotta catch them all.

Evil Coneivel he was NOT!

Contestants all dressed up?

The winners????? :)

Last night was the Mr. Moses Lake contest. I had the esteemed pleasure of being a judge for the second year. Since the boys all went to the Fathers and Sons campout, I took the girls. We went out to dinner and then attended the "beauty pageant". It was fun- crazy but fun.

We are all looking forward to June. Miss you. More soon, Deb

Muffins for Moms

Josh, Deb and Matt at Muffins for Moms 2009

Mother's Day!

So another crazy week has passed. I am just toward June.... when things will hopefully calm down a little bit.

Friday after school, the kids and Steve and I started over with our flower beds. They were an absolute disaster. With all the chaos that occured in our lives last year, the flowers were extremely neglected. The kids and I started weeding and digging up the mess. Now we are down to dirt. We are planning to finally get some curbing this week. We'll add fabric and plants and then it might look like normal flower beds. Steve says that is my mother's day present. Unfortunately for the moment it is just raked dirt. That will change eventually (wishful thinking?). But for now at least it is not a big pile of weeds.

Saturday morning the boys and I went to their school for "Muffins for Mom". It is a fun way to acknowledge moms. The boys chowed on muffins. And we took a nice picture. They are planning to email me the picture. I was hoping to have it today, so I can put it on the site. I'll add it soon.

The kids and Steve made brunch after church today. I got to lounge upstairs and read my latest Percy Jackson book- The Last Olympian. It was fabulous- I finished it after brunch today. All in all it was a pretty good weekend. Fairly tame by Banda standards. Much love to you all, and especially all the moms in my life. Luv, Deb

Another crazy week... but June is on the horizon.

Prom King and Queen.

Deb and one of her favorite students.

Court nominees.

Shelby (my ASB President) and her date.

Lia (my ASB secretary)

Courtney (my ASB VP).

This has been another crazy one- I know, everyone is shocked by that confession. Josh's game Tuesday got rained out, so he did get to attend our pack meeting. It was fun (Jurassic Cubs). I traced 7 dinosaurs with my projector at school. Then I came home and everyone cut out dinosaurs. The boys were way into the theme. I have to admit that I'm glad it is over though.

We had our final assembly of the school year Friday (at least that I am in charge of). It was our talent show that had about a million moving variables, but it all worked out.

Then Saturday morning, Steve and the kids packed up to visit Sue and Ken in Gig Harbor, WA for Josef's birthday party. I was kinda feeling rough all week, but once they left I fell apart. I spent most of the day alternately washing, folding, sorting laundry and then sleeping in bed or in front of the TV. About 8 pm, I took a shower and got dressed and headed to the Senior Prom. It was my job to announce the royalty. I stayed there from 9:15ish to 11, and then went home and back to bed. I have no voice today (so it is good there is no one around- I couldn't talk anyway) so I've been correcting papers.

Steve and the kids should be home about 9ish. And then we start more craziness during the coming week. We miss you, and we are constantly thinking about June. :) Deb