The rest of the week. . .

 We have been busy, busy, busy, busy.  I wish I had more time to blog, but it just doesn't often present it'self as the most important thing I should be working on.  Here is some fun from the rest of our week.

Upon entering the garage to find some cereal, I heard, "Hey mom!" and looked over my shoulder to find Chandler's head popping out of the hedge.  It gave me a good chuckle. . .

Ethan received a rank advancement to 2nd Class scout and 4 merit badges.  Congrats Ethan!

Emilee enjoyed trying on his uniform when I got the patches all in place.  Emilee actually always wears her "uniform" to all boy scout activities  which consists of any pair of pants (usually leggings) with a shirt TUCKED IN (like a proper scout) and a belt of whatever she can find around her 16 inch waste.  Usually made of some sort of ribbon picked up in her treasure box.  :)  She's a good little "scout." 

Here are ALL of our kids playing together.  They put Emilee and Heidi in the trailer and pulled them all around the neighborhood.  So fun!

And this is where we live, on the bleachers at home plate, watching our favorite little slugger.  Ethan had three games and three practices this week.  He is doing well and really enjoying being a member of the team!

Life in the stands. . . 

 Don't forget to take a quarter for the snack shack!  About inning 5 everybody usually needs a little pick me up. . .

 And one last picture of Ethan fielding a ball.  He's way back in Left, but I think you can kind of see him through the fence.

 Phew!  I'm pooped just thinking about doing it all again this week, off we go!

Gordon's big trip and Grammy's visit

A little more than two weeks ago, Gordon left on a business trip to Germany, that we combined with a little fun time for him too.  While he was gone (about 10 days) we had a great visit with Grammy!  I was so glad to have her come keep us company while daddy was absent!  Here are some pictures of our fun. . .

 We headed down to Woodburn for a muddy good time at the tulip festival.  We didn't get to see too many flowers this year, because of the slippery mud, but what we did see was beautiful!

 We had a nice little visit with our cousin, Miriam!  Heidi and Emilee think Miriam is the bee's knees!

 And then before we knew it, after a few more days of school, baseball, scouts, and homework, Daddy was back.  He brought home lots of German coins, and chocolate!  Yay Chocolate!

Thanks again for coming to our rescue, Gram!  It was much more fun with you.  And look!  Those orange and turquoise outfits were definitely a fun choice!  The girls loved being twinkle twins!

Opening Day

We couldn't have been more surprised when Ethan announced that he wanted to play baseball this year.  We were happy, but surprised none the less.  We were SHOCKED when he tried out and made the "majors."  The top tier league for the Little League around here.  He is playing with kids that have played for 5 and 6 years, but he's doing great!  His coaches really love having him on his team and how eager he is to learn.

Yesterday was opening day for the Lake Oswego Little League.  All the kids got paraded out onto the field so they could throw the first pitch.  Very fun stuff.

 Here is Ethan's team running the "bases."  Ethan is second in line, #17.

 And later that day we had his first game.  He did great!  He plays mostly left and right field because he's never played before, but he's doing great and holding his own out there.  He's hoping to try second base later in the season.

 Batter Up!

 And, our first injury!  He got hit by a pitch when he was up again later.  It hit his helmet, then his nose (small bruise) and then bounced to his finger.  It is black and blue and so swollen!  The picture doesn't do it justice. Hopefully this will be our worst injury.  :)

Great Job Ethan!

Happy 7th Birthday Chandler!

Yea!  Chandler's birthday brings with it the end of "birthday season" around these parts.  We made it!  Here are some highlights from his animal themed birthday party.

We did wrap the caterpillar in the chrysalis. . .

Sea otter relays where the kids had to dive for clams (easter eggs) rocks, and then wrap themselves in sea weed (jump rope) and eat the clam. . .

a shark pinata!

 And one happy birthday boy. . .

We kept it pretty simple and it was just right!  And most importantly, Chandler had a great time!  Happy Birthday Chan Man!

Rachel's Adventures in Utah!

A few years ago I tried skiing and snowboarding again after a long hiatus.  Much to my disappointment  my boys had become so fast, that I spent the entire time chasing them down the hill, feeling like I was going to die at any moment in a crazy crash.  It was decided a couple of years ago that what I needed was a good dose of skiing, a few days in a row, to really get my skills back.   We decided then (2012 I think) that I should go to "spring break" with my dad in Utah, and ski my guts out.  And that's exactly what I did!

Day one was at Alta!  What a beautiful place!  We had some nice runs in the morning and then it was a total white out so we headed in for lunch.

Bucket of French Fries, a must at a ski lunch. . . 

Dinner at the PIE in SLC that night.  So yummy!

 The next day (Tuesday) we hooked up with my BFF Michelle Webecke and had so much fun together!  Michelle and I learned to snowboard together back when we were chasing boys down the slopes and had a great old time.  She was still boarding!  Her oldest 3 boys and hubby also met up with us and we did some runs together.  Such a fun day!

 Michelley made a wrong turn at one point and did a little hiking through the powder.  She earned her french fries, for sure!

 Here are the skiers, enjoying Michelle's climb out.  :)

 That night we headed to Cafe Rio.  Need I say more?

 We took Wednesday off and I did a session with my mom at the SLC temple, which was so beautiful.  I'd never been inside and I really enjoyed it.  We had lunch at Kneaders and then I spent the afternoon at Michelle's house catching up.  She and I get together after years of not seeing each other and it's like we didn't skip a beat.  I love that about her!

Ski day 3 was at Alta.  It was the most BEAUTIFUL day!  Blue skies, and the snow was pretty nice.   I love a warm ski day.

 More french fries, of course.  This is Ralph, my dad's partner who skied with us every day.

 And that's about it!  Just skiing, skiing, and more skiing for 4 days!  It was so fun to take a little trip with just my parents and be an adult for a few days sans kids.  I don't think I've ever done anything like this and it will probably be a long time before I get to do it again.  I loved every minute!

Home again Thursday night to find my children did just fine in the care of my dear girlfriends, and of course, Gordon, who worked half days to make this all possible.  Thanks everybody!!!

Easter Eggs!

We were sad to not be throwing a big hunt this year, but I was leaving the next day and we just felt like it was too much to try to coordinate.  So, we had a little hunt of our own.  We made sure to do it in the front yard so the neighbors could be entertained.  ;)  Here are a few photos of the fun, Heidi thought it was terrific!