JA Biztown

Justin's class went on a field trip recently that was to a place called Junior Achievement Biztown where the kids learn to run a business, including taking out a business loan that must be paid back by the end of the day. They learn to write checks, deposit paychecks (after taxes) into their bank accounts and write checks to pay for business expenses. There was a mayor and City Hall, the kids all got lunch breaks, just a lot of regular real world experience. It was pretty neat! Here are a few pictures of the set-up that this place has for this. All the phones between the businesses work, the computers work and are interlinked with the bank computers, it is quite the elaborate field trip. Best trip by far I have ever been on with the kids. The one thing the kids said that they remembered the most...lunch breaks are never long enough to get everything done that you need to! Amen!

This Banker Doesn't Give Out Sub-Prime Loans

Justin is sitting at his desk as one of the bankers of Keybank during Biztown. He was very careful to do his job correctly. He was the savings officer and during particular times of the day, his job was to track down any citizens who did not contribute to a savings account and put the pressure on them...just like a banker.

"I like to ride my bicycle"

Here is a couple pictures of Christy on her new road bike! She loves it!!!!! Her and Jake are doing a lot of riding lately...even in the wind and rain. Crazy people! They will be doing the "Reach The Beach" in May. Can't wait!!...By:Ashley Eggimann

"Bow Down to Washington"

Bow down to Washington...the school song for the Washington Huskies...and very appropriate for our drive home as we purposefully took the 520 floating bridge so that we could view Husky Stadium. What a beautiful sight! Sorry Aunt Corrie - We love the huskies!

The Lads

While at the conference, we heard a Christian band called "The Lads" who are from New Zealand and Ashley really loved them. We went back to their booth several times to get information about their band and Ashley took one opportunity to get a picture with two members of the band - Bjorn & Mark.

Girls' Weekend Away

Here are the three of us who went to Seattle for the Christian Education Conference. Me(Christy), My friend Jami, and of course Ashley. This is us at dinner at a pizza shop in downtown Bellevue. We had a great time bonding and hanging as girlfriends!



Here is Ashley after swimming in the hotel pool along with a few friends from church who also attended the conference. They all got in the pool and swam in a large circle trying to create a giant whirlpool...Ashley said they really did make one.

Championship Saturday

Okay, you would think that after showing pictures of the first two rounds of the playoffs, that I would have great pictures of the last game and a recap of the action. But I don't. It was near 6:00pm when the game started and I was pictured out. So, what you see here is Justin and his buddies Wyatt and Trevor goofing around between games. Both of these boys live close and are good friends for Justin.

The other picture shows Justin on the phone talking to Christy. Both Christy and Ashley were in Seattle all weekend at a Christian Education conference. I didn't really listen to much of the conversation, however did hear Justin telling Christy that he "got the first double-double in his career."
Ha! His career! I thought that was funny.

Oh yeah, they won the tournament in impressive fashion. So much for a riveting recap.

Upset Saturday III

The boys on the bench taking a rest as well as getting in position after a foul shot. They won their second game and went to the championship game.

Upset Saturday II

The first game of the day was a breakout game for Justin. He scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. I am NOT joking. It was a tremendous performance!! The team won and went to the second round in the championship bracket.

Upset Saturday????

I spent more time than I care to think about this weekend at a tournament for Justin in Estacada. The important part is that I told Justin to dominate the paint just like his favorite player on the Washington Huskies Jon Brockman. Jon Brockman is 6'-7" and 260lbs and plays like a man possessed on the low block.
For those of you who are wondering, Justin is 4'-8" and 90 lbs........ basically the same body type.

Bach II

As you can see..... this is Justin bowing at the end of the performance to HUGE applause. The second picture is with his little buddy Wyatt. Fifteen seconds early, they both had been proper gentleman and dressed for the performance. Oh what a difference a couple of seconds makes.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Well, we didn't realize this at home, but Justin had auditioned for the part of Johann Sebastian Bach for the school play. The scene he played was him talking with a couple of contemporaries and found out his wife died. The crowd left Justin all by himself on the stage and he sang a sad solo.
Biggest Applause of the Night!!! We couldn't have been more surprised or proud!!
He did a GREAT job..... although in a couple of years that solo won't be in his vocal range if you know what I mean!

Gummer Makes Us Laugh

Goofy Gummer!

Who's the Ladies Man Now?

Byron loves Ashley and her pink shirt!!!
Byron must love green too!!
All these pictures brought to you by: Ashley Eggimann

Justin Wins for Best Tasting Healthy Entree

Here Justin and his friend Tyer man their presentations making sure they are ready for the judges at all times.
Here one of the judges tastes Justin's chowder. This particular judge as well as another judge came back twice to taste the chowder. Justin also had to answer questions about what was in the recipe, how he put it together, and why he chose this recipe. Justin was sure to tell them that the reason he chose to add halibut to the recipe was because his Dad, Jake, brought it back from Alaska.
Justin recieving the award, a set of culinary tools of his very own, in addition to quite a few other prizes.
Justin along with all the district finalists, and standing next to the other winners in the dessert, and healthy snack catagories.
The six winners...for all the catagories. Way to go Justin!! We are so proud of you!!

America'a Next Top Chef Is....

Justin entered a cooking contest at school. The total entries were over 100 and Justin and the others here were chosen to be finalists in the Canby School District cooking contest representing their school, 91 School. Justin is in front kneeling beside the 91 School Bulldog. Justin's recipe was Clam Chowder with Alaskan Halibut.
Here is Justin and the group in the kitchen cooking...Justin is the one with the red shirt tails hanging out.
Justin is getting sanitized to be ready to cook.
I think maybe he's talking some smack here...what do you think?! Justin was told that presentation was a part of who would win and here is his bowl of Clam Chowder with Alaskan Halibut, a few choice decorations and the slow cooker behind to keep the chowder warm for the judges.

Hanging Out With Family

Justin got to spend some time with his cousin Andrew.

All of us sitting around chatting - Christy must have had something important to say? Probably not! Hee Hee!
Here is Sandy's husband Rob having a deep discussion with Christy's Dad Leroy - possibly about his big muscles?
Rob, Christy, Justin, Andrew, and folks in the background enjoying the conversation.

The Markus Girls

During our visit we were able to take care of Christy's Mom (and Dad) by cooking some meals and tending to Mom's needs - as she just had shoulder surgery the week before. Here Christy gets the chance to cuddle under the warm quilt and near the cozy wood stove with Mom - Cheryl.
This is Christy and her sister Sandy.
The four Markus women - Christy, sister Sandy, Mom -Cheryl, and sister Julie.

Snow Bunnies

Mom and daughter - wait a minute - which one is taller?

Snow Day

We had dry roads for driving, and the evening we arrived, it snowed big flakes! Yeah! The kids were so thrilled! And had a great time playing.
Uncle Scott pulled Justin on the sled behind the car up and down Grandma and Grandpa Markus' driveway. It was a bit bumpy though because there wasn't quite the snow pack yet.
Justin again - and in the distance - can you spot Ashley and her cousin Shara walking behind.
The turn-around spot at the end of the driveway.

Seeing is believing!

You'd probably never believe us unless we had this picture. While on the drive to Idaho, we made a quick stop in La Grande. While Ashley and Christy were in the store, Jake and Justin waited - while they waited, a man walked his dog in the parking lot, and then a man walked his camel!? Whoa! It was 28 degrees outside with a stiff wind and this man is walking his camel. Crazy!!

The Cascade Mountains

Some of the beautiful views we caught along the way.