Author Archives: we4keenes

I was asked a few months ago if I would lead the Educator Challenge at this year’s Microsoft in Education E2 event in Budapest. As Jim put it, when someone asks if you’ll lead an event in Budapest, there is only one answer. 🙂 I have attended E2 as a participant in Barcelona, as aContinue reading “E2 Number 3”

Did I mention that I spent 28 hours in Anchorage last week? I had a quick trip for work but it was my first time in Alaska, and I went one flight earlier than I needed to so I could see the city by daylight. I was so glad to have my cozy, fur hoodedContinue reading “Alaska”

We had a great time celebrating Grandma Cole’s 60th birthday this week. We brought in Chinese take out from Tacoma and feasted! Grandma’s dessert request was raspberry sorbet with vanilla wafer cookies, and it was all very yummy. Of course, having three grandchildren to celebrate with her (as well as two children and two in-lawsContinue reading “Celebrating Grandma Cole”

This year was pretty low-key compared to last year. We started on Friday with parties for both kids at school. They wore their red and white (and Haley actually had a heart shirt I bought ages ago on clearance). They came home with completely different accounts. JT: “We passed them out and I got aContinue reading “Valentine’s Day”

I finally got a chance to take some photos at JT’s basketball game this weekend. We have enjoyed our second year with Upward Basketball and love seeing JT grow in his skills and affinity for the sport. Pregame player prayer Fun on the bench JT has scored a couple of times this season, which isContinue reading “Upward Basketball”

How is it already February? JT was awarded Sparky of the Month at Awana the same night he said his personal record for number of sections signed off, so that was exciting! Because Grandma Cole is still recovering from her knee replacement, Haley stayed with the Bonnells for one day when I went to workContinue reading “How is it February?”

My youngest niece Ali turns 16 today. I can’t believe it, and yet it is fitting because she’s always seemed a little older than she is. Maybe because she’s the youngest of her siblings, but she has often surprised us with how much she could do at a young age. Ali has always been cheerful,Continue reading “Celebrating Ali”

We don’t normally have a whole weekend with only a few plans, and we were very happy to notice our calendars oddly empty. On Friday night, Haley and I went to see Where the Wild Things Are at Seattle Children’s Theater. It was so well done. The word “play” does not accurately describe the experience.Continue reading “Weekend Family Time”

Every year, Kent School District hosts a giant Technology Expo. It is the largest event of its kind around, and I help oversee all of the teacher and student participation. It’s a lot of work but the payoff is wonderful, because we get to see 800+ students sharing their learning with the community. So lastContinue reading “…and then it was the Expo”

It’s also known as #roomiereunion because these are the guys Jim lived with in the 17th Ave House in college, and 15 years later they’re still friends, and since they married these lovely ladies, we’ve stayed in touch ever since. Now the 12 adults have been passed up by 15 children and we have aContinue reading “Bethel Ridge Weekend 2016”