Easter Events

We started our celebration by coloring eggs and decorating sugar cookies at the Gealtas. Thanks Rebecca for all the prepping.

Then we had our annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt that I am in charge of. We had about 25 kids from the neighborhood split into three age groups. We filled over 400 eggs for them and had 9 prizes for those who found a penny in their egg. It had rained over night and was still raining at 7am, but by 10am it had stopped and the kids had fun. We had hot chocolate, cookies and doughnuts afterward, to make the event last longer than 10 minutes! It's a great way to meet new neighbors.

Paige hung out in her carseat in the car while the kids hunted!

Afterwards, we went down to Kent Station where Kate got to do another hunt (limit of 5 eggs) and the boys did a scavenger hunt around some of the businesses.

Then we got our picture taken with the Easter Bunny.The kids favorite part was after the event, when a guy found 2 boxes of eggs they hadn't put out for the hunt and he dumped them right in front of about 10 kids and let them go to town. They ended up getting a ton of eggs (with amazingly good chocolate). They were thrilled.

I had a few things for the kids so we had another small hunt at home on Saturday night (after their baths). Because even though Bradley had said it was the best day ever (again), he still said we needed a hunt at home, like we always do.

Kate got princess dress-ups.

The boys got a nerf football/basketball set. Even Bradley thought Kate's new earrings were great.

Sunday we were able to focus on the real meaning of Easter, the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was nice to be able to go to church, have dinner with the Hatchs' and have a spiritual lesson (thanks Emily) the end the evening. A few pictures of us in our new duds (which are actually last years' clearance of course).

We Went A Whirligiging

I think I was mostly attracted to this event because of the name (Whirlygig how cool is that?). We went as a family up to the Seattle Center House where they had bouncy houses set up. It was free on Thursday so we headed up during Spring Break. It was a little crowded, but fun. We met their cousins there.

Tyson found a dragon he wanted his picture with.Afterward, we went outside and the fountain was just being fixed and turned on. The kids ran around for quite a while, it was nice and sunny. We enjoyed the music, water, and sunshine.

Before heading home we stopped in at Krispy Kreme for a treat. On the way home Bradley said "wow, this was the best day ever (which he says alot), and I even had fun without my friends." It's nice to get out as a family once in a while, even though the kids are perfectly happy just playing in the neighborhood with their friends.

Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break we went to the park, it was 72 degrees. We got a sunburn the first day!

Paige had her first ride in a real swing.

The boys also had their first visit at the optometrist. Their eyesight was normal, Rick just wanted to have them checked. They liked the cool shades they came home with.

And of course they wanted Paige to try them too.

Fun with Uncle Jeff

The boys built and slept in a fort for a few days last week. Jeff went in to check it out, he didn't make it out until morning. Guess it was more comfortable than it looks!

Day Trip to Bellingham

Friday, April 3rd, Paige and I went along with my parents and brother, Jeff, up to Bellingham to check out a dental opportunity. I'm not sure if Jeff will get a job after the trip, but we had a great day tagging along (Thanks to Rick for keeping Kate).

Paige showing off her pretty flower. It's a fun time to have a girl.

We stopped in La Connor to check out the daffodils and other sights...

The tulips weren't out yet, but we enjoyed the daffodils.

We were surprised to see a field of swans.

Picturesque.

Paige playing with her tongue at the Greek restaurant in downtown Bellingham. It was delicious.

Daily Gems

I was on the church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) website recently (http://lds.org) and I found that you can have emails sent to you daily or weekly. I love it. They are inspirational and applicable. Give it a try... http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=eeb8813d71189110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0
This one was my favorite so far. Definately words I want to live by.
Family Gems
President Benson’s 10 Suggestions for Successful Parenting
Posted: 27 Mar 2009 01:00 AM PDT
“Thinking of the example of his own mother and that of his beloved and faithful wife, Flora, President Benson has offered ten specific suggestions for mothers as they guide their precious children:
1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.
4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children.
A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love (see Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987, pp. 8–12; see also Ezra Taft Benson, Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990, pp. 32–36).”
Thomas S. Monson, “Memories of Yesterday, Counsel for Today,” Ensign, May

It was a stinky night

The only thing really stinky about the night was Tyson's armpits. He used deordorant for the first time after the evening. The Pinewood Derby is a high pressure event for these boys and dads. Last year Tyson's car did not do well at all. This year much research and time went in to developing G-Mudd (as he called it). We were just hoping for a decent car and knew it would atleast look good. Grandpa Hoyle helped cut it out with his tools (Thanks!). Then Tyson and I painted and tattooed it. Rick did the weights, wheels and axel preparations.

Everyone watched in anticipation. Tyson got third in his first heat. His friends Max Haddock, Christian Gealta, and Zac Hillyard were all in the top 5.
The little boys were so excited, they went to the back of the room and made posters with all of their favorites. Bradley came home with a hoarse voice.

Undefeated Max beat Tyson in the last heat; so Tyson raced Zac twice to see who would make it to the Championship round. Tyson beat Zac twice and got the #4 spot. Then he ended up winning 2 out of 4 of the Championship heats, losing once to his friend Christian. Christian ended up with 2nd place and

TYSON WON THE PINEWOOD DERBY!

I must say, we were shocked. It was very exciting.

As a celebration, Rick let Tyson (and Bradley) steer his car (our Honda Accord) around the neighborhood. And at the end of the night we had a family cheer. It was definately teamwork.

Congratulations Tyson! And now for next year, when Bradley joins the race......

Our Artist

Tyson reproduced a oil painting by Marc Chagall (1913) as part of the Art Docent Program at school. It was picked out of all the art projects for the year in his class to be displayed at the Kent Art Walk. Rick and Tyson went to Morningside Farm, a church owned property, to do service, so the rest of the kids and I went down to the event to see his work.

Below is the picture he based his project off of. It's called Paris Through the Window. It was a fun evening. We got to visit many of the shops in downtown, something I've wanted to do the whole 9+ years I've lived here. They had live performances, and many of the busineses had something for the kids like cookie decorating or stamping. There was art from the entire district displayed all around. It was a great free event. If you look up closely you can see how much fun Bradley had by how dirty he got his sweatshirt and face!

Rattling Paige

I can't believe Paige is big enough to hold a rattle. She's starting to sit up by herself and enjoy bowls of pureed peas (that Bradley thinks are totally disguisting. He asked me if they were melted peas). We love listening to her giggle and her sweet calm personality.

Duck, Duck, Goose!

This morning Kate was playing with her duck that she got for Easter last year. She decided we should play Duck, Duck, Goose, which I thought was going to be a little difficult with just the two of us. But of course she had a great plan. We played with her new bunny and her puppy. We had a great time chasing each other around the family room with stuffed animals in our hands. I love how much fun she make believes.

This is how she really wanted the picture taken!

March Madness

Do they call it this because it make all of the wives go mad? I was talking to a friend today who was complaining about all of the basketball constantly on her TV and I agree (and it's only the first weekend!) I'm thinking the next time I plan a girls trip it's going to have to be March, or wait there's always the baseball playoffs in the fall, or football in the winter.... Actually, I must say, Rick doesn't watch nearly as much sports as he used to, or could. I just hate the noise (that's what it sounds like to me). Thankfully we have slingbox so it's mostly contained to the office.

One Year Anniversary!

It's been one year of blogging (and almost 100 posts) and I love it! Not only do I love keeping up on my family history, I love keeping up with my family and friends this way.
I'm looking forward to printing my first year so we can have a hard copy. My kids love looking through scrapbooks. If anyone has any advice on that, please share.
Also, if you check my blog, leave an occasional footprint (comment), I like to see whose checking.
Thanks for reading!

St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day. We celebrated by having a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage.
It was my first time making it, which was fun for me. Everyone cleared their plates so I guess it was a hit. We also all wore green, except for Rick. Kate had a hard time agreeing on an outfit that had green in it, since she's picky and has a wardrobe of mostly pink. I told Kate to go into Rick's office and pinch him since he wasn't wearing green. Like a sweet little girl, she said "I think I'll just hug him instead!"

Happy 7th Birthday Bradley!

This was the scene as Bradley went to school on the morning of his birthday! The boys kept saying, "are you SURE school is not delayed?"

The Hatch's came over for Sunday dinner to celebrate with Bradley.

On Friday, there was no school so we had a party with his friends. He loved all of the gifts... He even told each one of his friends that he loved them after he opened their gift. There was a lot of love at his party.

We had ice cream cone cupcakes filled with gumballs.We took the kids to Chuck E Cheese. I didn't get very many good pictures because they couldn't stay still for a second.

You're growing up Bradley! We love you.