Plata Update

We have been busy & are glad that the election is over. Living in a "battleground" state is no fun during election time - with the commercials, phones calls, and people at your door -it gets real old real fast. We are excited that we get to go to the American Indian Inaugural Ball. John's firm bought a table - so we lucked out. So I get to dress up! There are dozens and dozens of Balls that night so every room in town is booked and people are renting their houses/aprtments out for $1000 - $6000 per week, and up. It's nuts.

Allie and Jacob have been super busy. Jacob just had his last soccer game, and he and Allie are now heading into basketball. He again made straight A's in school. His teacher told us at his conference that he could not find anything for Jacob to work on. He is a model student. I wish I could take some credit for that, but that is all Jacob. He is also on the yearbook staff and is again his class rep for student council. Last week he went to Jamestown for a class field trip. He was most impressed with the bathrooms on the bus! He might be a little Einstein, but he is still a kid.

Allie is keeping busy with everything. She takes dance 4 days a week. She is in the school play 2 days a week and is also going to be in the Nutcracker. She is sooooo excited about it. Tomorrow we have to go to a class just to practice putting on make-up! She also made all A's and one B. Her teachers just love her. Her science teacher told us that she can't help but be happy when she see Allie. Her smile is contagious. I agree! She also got two awards this semester for citizenship and English. We are proud of both of them!!!!

John is always busy at work. He always has great stories that are hard to believe are true. He may have to go to Red Lake Minnesota in December - which he is not looking forward to - since its about as far North as you can get without being in Canada. Last week he taught a lesson in Jacob's class about Native Americans. He said it went good, but that they would not stop asking questions. He then realized they were getting out of doing more work if they keep him there a little longer.

I absolutely love my job. I need to go back to school myself so I can have my own class. It is so fun to be around kids again!

Well, Memaw, I hope this is not too much sharing. I sure feel like it is bragging!!! I tried to attach some pics from our trip to the Shenandoah Nat Forest...

Robin