August Happenings

August was a very hectic month. Sorry I haven't post for quite a while. Pat and April came home from China on the 13th. As I said before April had been sick and we thought it probably was the heat. However when she came home, it just didn't get better, hard to breath, pain, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion, yea, she was fun. On August 20th she called from school and it was obvious I had to take her to the Asthma Doc. She examined her and said the pollution in Beijing had damaged her lungs, the lining was inflamed and irritated so were her tubes. So she was put on a heavy duty medicine. As we were leaving the doctors office, Pat called, his Step-Father had just passed away suddenly. He and Pats mom have been together for 17 years, so he was Grandpa Knute. Good Day, Oh lets not forget that August 20th is Pats Birthday. Yea... Pat, April, and I went to Roseburg for the funeral the next week, unfortunately Casey could not leave, since he had just been home for Zacks wedding. He will be home in a couple of weeks and we will take another trip south.
For the last year and a half I have been the chairman of our churches Call Committee, to find a new pastor. It has been a very stress full and busy time. Yesterday we had a vote and issued a Call to a Pastor in Washington. So until he makes his decision my job is done.
I haven't had a chance to knit since they got home so I am hopping that now I can relax and get back to my regular routine.
Lets hope September is a little calmer.

China News

I have heard from Pat and April more this week, They went to the Great Wall, and perfomed, perfomed at Tianamen Square, and also at a Soccer match. They are doing sightseeing now, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace among other places.

April has had a very hard time physically. She just hasn't adjusted to the climate and the other factors, long walks to practice, small amounts of food. We have several Doctors that are chaparones and they and Pat have been taking good care of her. She did have to miss the perfomance at the soccer match, two students near her right before they started had to get her down from the platform and to the closest directors, one from University of Oregon and the other University of Washington, the U of W director got his doctor/ chaparone and they took her to the medical tent. He told them he was her doctor and they let him stay with her the whole time, that was very nice. Now that the practices and perfomances are done they should do better, air conditioned stores and just staying out of the heat more.

Their Hotel

Tianamen Square

The Great Wall Performance

The Great Wall

First Days

I have gotten a few e-mails from Pat and April since they arrived in China. They are 15 hours ahead of us so when I am getting up they are going to bed and visa versa. Pat will send some pictures soon probable today. The Olympic website has updated now so check them for photos and announcements. She is with the Skyview and Hockinson High Schools. www.beijing2008olympicorchestra.com

April hasn't been feeling well since she arrived. She has always been susceptible to heat exhaustion since she was very little, and we do well at getting her through it. The chaperones had her miss the first practice and Pat said she spent most of the day in bed. I hope that did it and today will be better.

I am doing good. Annie and I just do what we want and I have been watching a lot of movies. I finally saw the Star Trek-The Next Generation Movies. I also have finally gotten a chance to work on April's sweater I started, hopefully I can post my progress soon.

And They're Off!

Pat and April left yesterday. They went to Seattle to meet up with the others from the NW Delagation, about 600 The Vancouver, Wa. group will be in the Seafarers Parade tonight. Then more rehersals until they drive to Vancouver BC on Tuesday and fly to Beijing from there. They will meet with the other orchestra members from around the world I think on Wednesday of next week, altogether there are 2008 members of the official orchestra. The official website is http://www.beijing2008olympicorchestra.com/ Once they get there they will start posting. I will be getting some pictures from Pat and I will put some of them here when I get them.




Pat and April getting reading to leave.





They took 3 bus loads from Vancouver, WA up to Seattle. Vancouvers group is about 150 plus chaparones.

Zack's Wedding

We went to Roseburg this weekend to my nephew's wedding. It was a beautiful day, Colleen's dress was so amazing, it was perfect for her. The reception was held at Zack's grandparents ranch. It is very large and a great setting for a large group. It was great getting the family together.

We had a great time we took turns dancing with Zack, grandma even danced, gotta admit, that was kinda scary! Mom doesn't move that fast.

Kate and Casey were both able to make it, we were so excited. On sunday Pat drove us back to Vancouver and then took Casey up to Seattle so he could fly back to Alaska. He will be done at the end on September.

Pat and April leave on Friday to China for the Olympics. This will be a hectic week trying to get them ready to go, but they will have an amazing time. More on that later.