The biggest thing that happened in September is Julian telling me he wanted to come home to start the school year in Oregon...and school started in just 4 days from that phone call. Oh, and Hyrum was on a week long sailing trip. So, I had to contact AFS in New York and that was crazy because everything was shutting down early for the Labor Day weekend. I got confirmation that he could come home but that WE would have to buy his ticket. Then I had to buy a plane ticket from Osaka to Portland trying to figure out which flight would be the easiest for my 16 year old son to fly on his own. His host family was also taken by surprise at his sudden wish to come home. He had to go into the school and say goodbye to his friends and teachers that he had gotten to know pretty well and I think that was hard for him. His host family was very supportive and drove him to the airport and then I had my baby home. In the end I think he decided that a semester abroad was good enough and he was ready to be home and back into his normal routine of school work. I think school was really hard for him in Japan because he just couldn't read and write the language at all. And I think that after his first host family asked him to leave and he was passed around to 2 other families he was just ready to be back home among people he knew loved him. I am still so very proud of him for taking this leap and leaving home for 5 months. It is wonderful to have him home!
Playing croquet with the Doxey's...Saki had never played before. That didn't stop Steve from kicking ALL our butts. That man doesn't go soft for anyone!
Saki participated in "Senior Sunrise" with the other seniors at Glencoe High School. It was a pretty early morning for her but she had fun and met a few people.
Saki's first day of school photo
He requested Gustav's (a yummy German restaurant) for his first meal back in the US
Saki joined the cross country team and her very first race was a "mudder"...she did so well!
After the race...go Saki!!
I invited a few of Julian's friends to come over one evening for some s'mores and games. I think he liked being able to see his old friends again.
Family walk around Jackson Bottom wetlands
Julian's first day of 11th grade
I went for a bike ride with some friends and Townsend decided to come along. What a great sport to hang out with a bunch of old ladies:)
We went through the gifts that Julian brought us from Japan
A great day out sailing with the family
We went to see "Pirates of the Caribbean" at the symphony. It was fantastic!
We had to get a photo with some of the "pirates"
Saki made Sunday dinner for 11 people...
...it turned out amazing!
Enjoyed a lovely walk around the lake in Vernonia with Robin and Sherry
We hosted a "pasta party" for the entire cross country team. We prepared for 30 hungry teenagers and let me tell you...they eat a LOT of food!
After another cross country race. I really think joining the team has helped Saki make friends at school
I loved seeing all the kids playing together. It was so sad when the twins had to go back to college
We got a family photo taken for our Christmas card this year...
...and Saki got her Senior photos done. She is so cute
The boys took Saki to the rock climbing gym
Hyrum and the kids tried making real German rolls. They turned out so delicious!
I drove with the boys down to Corvallis to help them get all set up for another year of school. It seems so crazy that they are Seniors this year!
