Happy Easter from Nancy

Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Sunshine, Happy Warmer Weather--welcome events all!!

After having spent yesterday with both the Meyer and Bull families, I am inspired to connect with the larger group. We went to Syracuse early, met Beth there and visited with Erma for a short while, making time to take this picture. Erma really likes living at Linden View, the assisted living facility in Syracuse. Her flower is from a "secret pal" on the staff, someone who gives gifts on special occasions--just one of the many benefits of living there.
At the Bull gathering, Carlie was the center of attention, entertaining everyone with her delightful personality and amusing antics. She had great fun playing with the balloons from Great-grandma's birthday party and posed for the four generation picture. She's definitely a charmer!! It was a bonus to have Aunt Marge join us for the day and we were glad to get in lots of visiting.














Our biggest news is that we got to go to Seattle a couple of weeks ago. The national conference for the Council of Exceptional Children was held there, so I went out on Tuesday for three days of the conference, then Stan joined me at the end of the week and we had Saturday to play tourists. We did all the typical things--Space Needle, ferry ride to a salmon feed and Indian dance show, Pike Street Market, fancy restaurant that gave us a view of the Seattle skyline at night. Stan went to the Boeing museum while I was in sessions where he went on the Concord and an old Air Force One. It was especially fun because my assistant and her husband were also there (he's a SPED college professor) so we spent our fun day together. Here are some pictures:

The flowers at the Pike Street Market are astounding; this is just one of the many vendors that we admired.













This is the famous Pike Street Fish Market, where the workers throw fish and have a routine that is the inspiration for the F.I.S.H. philosophy, video and books. I have used this at work, and it is an effective morale boosting system. We were there early in the morning, before the crowds gathered to watch them joyfully at work.








This is Marian at one of the many, many fish vendors. We were surprised at the open air market, complete with birds that occasionally flew through and being from the midwest, the variety and potent smell of all the kinds of fish.








We were on the ferry to Bainbridge Island, a charming place where the real estate downturn has yet to hit. We saw million dollar plus homes that were relatively modest, but because they were on the water, with this view, they still commanded high prices. Notice the sun is actually shining; I had been there four days and this was the first sunny day.





Bainbridge Island
















As we were walking on the city streets, we saw this interesting group of young people. Stan wanted a picture of them so that while he's teaching and the kids act up, he will be reminded that it could be worse :}






I knew there was a lingerie store with a familiar name in Seattle and when Marian found it, we had to make a visit. The prices were unbelievable ($900+ for a swimsuit; $800+ for a bikini; $600+ for a robe and pajama set; you get the idea). The designer merchandise is all imported from Europe. Needless to say, we didn't buy anything, but did take advantage of the photo op.



























At the very fan$y restaurant, the food (especially the desserts) were so pretty that I took pictures. The Meyer offspring were appalled that their mother would do such a touristy act, but I assured them that many people were doing the same thing.

These are a few of the people I work with at ESU 6; we were at the Lincoln Children's Museum for our spring event for families with preschool children with disabilities. Through a grant, we pay for their admission, parking and lunch, giving the families an opportunity to do something they might not otherwise be able to do. We hosted nearly 200 parents and kids and it was fun day for everyone.


I appreciate all your posts so much!! It is really nice to keep up on all your families' lives. Congratulations to Kelly and Paul on your canine family addition. We lost Shadow shortly after I wrote last and it has left a big hole for us. Congrats to Joe for graduating and buying a house--I'm impressed with your accomplishments.
My next post will be after Debbie and I do the half marathon on May 3. Hope we get to see Niki there!
Love,
Nancy