Easter 2010

Easter came quick this year. It was here before I knew it and was ready for it. We didn't get around to dyeing eggs until the night before Easter. Our ward didn't do an egg hunt and the weather didn't cooperate for an outside hunt. The kids had to settle for a hunt around the house, which they were perfectly happy with. We spent Easter Sunday at Kevin's parents' house. It was also conference Sunday, so we watched conference and had a delicious Easter meal. It was a very relaxed day. The kids got to play in Grandma's jetted tub together while the adults relaxed and took turns watching them. We had a good mix of thinking about Jesus and doing the secular stuff that the kids like to do for it.

Art Show 2010

Every year, the school puts on an art show schoolwide. The kids love to see the halls of the school decorated with the art projects that they have done throughout the year. It is fun to go and take pictures of all the creations by these artist kids. Andrew was a little shy about his artwork. Marin proudly showed hers off. They made some beautiful things and I will be anxious to showcase them when they finally come home.

Spring Break 2010

Spring break was pretty low key this year. We didn't make any big plans, choosing to just hang loose and play as the wind took us. Fortunately, the weather was pretty nice all week which is rare for Portland. We had very little rain and the temperatures were nice enough that the kids wanted to play outside a lot. We spent a lot of time up in Vancouver, WA with Lisa, Kyle and Keri. It was fun for the cousins to play with each other and for the adults to have someone else to talk to. We went out to Seaside, OR one day with Lisa and Kyle. It was supposed to have been 62 degrees out there, but the wind was incredible. We played for a while on the beach, but the kids couldn't deal with the cold and wanted to come home. (Despite the cold though, Andrew and Marin opted for shaved ice on the way home as their treat. Brrrrr.) Nothing like the Oregon coast to make you appreciate warm sandy beaches. It was still a fun day trip though. Aunt Keri planned for the kids to do some painting one afternoon. They all had a good time making their own masterpieces. Overall, it was a relaxing spring break.

Vernonia Taekwondo Tournament

Andrew competed in another Taekwondo tournament. It was out in Vernonia, OR which is out in the boonies. Laura was here for a weekend visit so I felt bad that we were going to spend most of the day sitting in a high school gym. When we got there, the gym was frigid!! Apparently the boiler had broken in the middle of the night and had been sending cold air into the building for several hours. They had the doors open because it was warmer outside than it was inside. Needless to say, it made for miserable conditions. Andrew competed in his form, board breaking and sparring. We came unprepared for board breaking. He told me that he didn't want to compete in it because he had never broken wooden boards before. When we got there though, they had said that he could do it and they had extra boards. Andrew did really well, despite the cold. He finished first in his forms, second in board breaking and third in sparring. He should have been second in sparring as well, but there was a mistake with the judging. They had an inexperienced teenager keeping score during one of Andrew's sparring matches. Andrew had beaten his opponent, but the kid had scored it wrong. Even the head judge questioned it and said he thought Andrew had won. To be fair, they sparred again, but Andrew got beat the second time around. It was good experience for him. I am so proud of how far he has come in taekwondo. He is getting so close to getting his black belt. This time next year and he should have it.

Marin's 7th Birthday

I am ashamed to say that I am not even posting about Marin's birthday in her birthday month. I have been swamped with stuff and have not gotten around to posting anything for two months. Marin is so sweet and she deserves better, so Mommy is sorry Marin.

Marin had a great birthday. She had her first party with friends. Every other year, she has chosen to go to Skamania Lodge instead of having a party with friends, so this was a bit of a shock. Marin invited several friends to go to Build-A-Bear workshop. They were all very cute. Most of the girls chose a bear covered in shamrocks. I think they all had fun making their bear and choosing names, clothes, etc. We had pizza and cupcakes after the girls were finished with their stuffed animals. Marin seemed to be enjoying herself as did the rest of the crowd. We also had a family party for Marin on the Sunday before her birthday. Marin chose to have homemade mac and cheese for dinner. That is her favorite thing. We got a cake from Costco and we put an edible image of Marin as a baby on the top of it. It was very cute, but I didn't like the idea of eating baby Marin. This is the second year in a row that Marin has wanted a picture of herself on the cake. She said it was a Marin-themed birthday. On Marin's actual birthday, we went to Red Robin for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Harker and then the kids came with me to my dodgeball game. (Yes I am in a dodgeball league.) They love coming to the games, even though there isn't really a safe place for them to sit. They end up dodging balls too. I think that overall, Marin had a great birthday weekend. She is such a sweet, special little girl. She would do anything for anyone. I am so glad that she is in our family. I continue to be proud of what a wonderful daughter she is growing up to be. Where did my baby go though? Seven years old already?