Backyard Camping

This week we postponed FHE until Friday because the boys were planning to camp in the backyard. Matt pitched the tent and even ran an extension cord to plug the little TV in so that he and Griffen could watch a movie. The week was fairly dry but the wood that Matt gathered was still wet so it took some time to get the fire started. Matt was determine so with the blowtorch in hand and a little gasoline he finally got it going. We held our FHE around the campfire and listened to the lesson of the evening. Our treat was smores of course!

Zoo Trip

Our first trip to the zoo this year! Knox and I visited the zoo with Griffen and his class. We were extremely lucky to have a day that was sunny and 70 degrees. Many of the animals were out so it made for an exciting field trip. We got to see the elephants, giraffes, wild dogs, lions, and hippos. Griffen loves bug world. He is so fascinated by the spiders. Knox was fairly content in his stroller for the day. We didn't get to see the dinosaur exhibit that was taking place but hopefully we will get to use our zoo pass plenty this summer and have the opportunity to see it again.

Spring Baseball

Griffen has now graduated to Coach Pitch and he is doing great! We've had some pretty soggy games but luckily the sun has peaked through for a few of them too. The season is going well and Griffen is enjoys playing with some of the same kids that he had on his basketball team. We found out that coach Newman also coaches baseball so we made sure to get on his team.

Nick has been working with Griffen on his swing and it continues to improve. He is a little scared of the ball when he is playing the field but I think in time he will gain confidence. Go Sparks!

Easter 2011

This year we got to celebrate Easter with both of our boys. Griffen was with us and this was Knox's first Easter. Griffen was pretty excited about the new Ben 10 mini guys that the Easter bunny brought to him along with the candy while Knox was more interested in trying to shove the plastic eggs into his mouth than his new bunny book. We did a mini hunt inside the house because as usual at this time of year it was pouring outside. I look forward to a year that we get a dry Easter and we are able to do an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. I hid eggs around the living room for Griffen to search for.

For FHE the Monday before we talked about the death and resurrection of Jesus so Sacrament service today was another Great reminder. I'm glad that my children enjoy the fun part of Easter with candy and gifts but I also want to make sure that they know the true meaning of our celebration.

Matt is working for Everett Fire Department

After over 1 1/2 years of searching for a firefighting position on the western side of the state Matt received an offer from Everett Fire Department. He interviewed with them and was #2 on the list. They offered the position to the guy that was #1 on the list and let Matt know that they would keep his information and if they hired again before December he would be contacted. Less than a month after the interview he received a phone call with the job offer in mid March. Matt and I were so overwhelmed with excitement! We could not believe that he was actually going to be coming home permanently. Matt's first day with Everett was on 4/4 which also happened to be his 30th birthday. He couldn't have asked for a better gift!

Field Trip to the Seattle Aquarium

Griffen's 1st grade class took a field trip to the Seattle Aquarium in March. I hadn't been to the aquarium since I was little so I took the opportunity to chaperone and take Knox along for his 1st trip. Griffen had a blast looking at the sea life in the tide pools and was most excited about the sea lions. We were able to touch starfish, coral, and tons of other sea creatures. There was a tube that we could walk under that allowed jellyfish to float over our heads. Griffen was amazed by the octopus and learned some fun facts. The kids even had a class to learn about some of the life found in the Puget Sound. Even Knox enjoyed walking around and viewing all of the fish and sea creatures.

Knox has teeth!

In mid March I started to notice that Knox had swollen lower gums. Within just a few days a sharp little tooth was already poking through. Only a week later he had a 2nd tooth! Now that he has two little bottom teeth her sure likes to use them. Unfortunately he sometimes uses them on me and I have to give him a gentle reminder not to bite. :)