FINALLY....an update!!!!

I am finally posting an update to our blog. It is not as if we have been SO busy that I have not had time, but it takes time to upload the pictures and write all the updates. I was so far behind, that I did not want to do it....but here it is. Since the last update, the weather has not changed much...spring is trying to get here. The kids have been on spring break. AJ's baseball has started. Luke attended puppy school. Easter has come and gone. We are anxiously awaiting summer...sunshine, warmer temps and drier days!! This post is quite long, so don't get bored and be patient. I will try to stay more update from now on!




WHAT HAS LUKE BEEN UP TO?
You may think he looks innocent when you see this cute, smiling face....but take a look at the pictures below. When he gets "bored", he decides to find his own entertainment. He is starting to destroy our backyard! Digging holes, tearing things up....all the fun things that a 10 month old puppy is famous for. Well, believe it or not....he even passed the beginner training at Petsmart! I know, we were also surprised. I know he will be a good dog, but some days we are exasperated!!! Just like a kid, he does not listen, clean up after himself, and just wants to play:)

This is our former flower bed....it is now his digging place. At least for now. We have moved most of the plants and trees. As you can see, he is removing everything else!
He also decided that the trampoline would make a great tug-of-war game! A loose end of the pad and he was hooked, for hours. What a mess!!





STEVE'S FIRST FIELD TRIP!

At the end of March, Steve got to attend his first field trip with one of the kids. He went to the Seattle Underground with Ally's class....they took public transportation to downtown Seattle and toured the Underground and had lunch. It was a good experience for all, I think:) I have never been there myself, but I guess the city was built much lower at one time, and this is the remants of that.

I believe this is an old toilet. A highlight for the kids, I'm sure!

Ally and her friend Esperanza in Seattle.

Ally showing her stuff.




WATCH DOG DAD!

Steve has signed up to be a Watch Dog Dad at the kids school. It is a program to get more dads in the schools. I think he enjoyed his time there....patrolling recess, grading math papers and putting up art work. He is a great dad and we are so proud that he does things like this for our children! We love you!!




SPRING BREAK 2009

Well, should I say "winter break"? This is how our spring break started.....more snow! I don't know about you, but many of us around here are tired of winter. We may get a taste of spring, but it is not lasting long.
This year we stayed home for Spring Break. I worked 2 days; we spent 2 days at home, relaxing (mainly because the weather was horrible); and then "kicked it up a notch"! The remainder of the week was spent going places with some friends of ours. It was a great time by all....lots of laughs and fun!


BOWLING WITH THE LETTIERES

We spent one evening bowling....we are not very good, but have a lot of fun. At first you think you can actually throw the ball like you do on the Wii...but quickly you learn that is NOT TRUE!

Steve showing great form!

Wendy and Grace....such great friends!



My second game of bowling was probably the best I have ever done! I actually got a strike and some spares....a 134!!! WOW!!


Ally....way to go girl!!! She bowled one game and then lost interest! Just was there to socialize!


A TRIP TO THE GLASS MUSEUM

Later in the week, we went again with the Lettieres to Tacoma. We rode the little trolley car (Link) for free and walked the streets of downtown Tacoma. We had lunch and visited the Glass Museum. What a treasure! The art is beautiful and you can sit to watch them blow glass in the "Hot Shop".
This is a display of glass art that is along a walk bridge to cross over Pacific Avenue to get to the glass museum. They have may great pieces displayed behind glass.


Andy, Ally, Grace, Ethan and AJ at the base of the Glass Museum. Steve was lying on the ground for this shot...pretty cool!


Two artists working on a piece in the hot shop.




DAFFODIL PARADE


Finally, the weather was getting nicer. The week ended with a trip to the annual Daffodil Parade. It was our first time attending this long time tradition for this area. Many local schools and organizations put together floats and many marching bands participate.


We once again went with the Lettieres.....Ally and Grace looking cool!

Here we are waiting for the parade to arrive!




HOME OPENER FOR THE MARINERS

We were lucky enough to attend the home opener for the Mariners. It was the return of Ken Griffey, Jr. to Seattle. Steve was so excited to go....you know baseball is still his passion! And we enjoy it along with him. Even I can get into a game. Safeco field has a great atmosphere for baseball...and we were lucky enough to get some sunshine so the roof was open!!!! The Mariners won in extra innings.....3-2!


The big flag for the "Star Spangled Banner"

Ally and AJ from our seats in left field! Even from this viewpoint, the game if exciting.


Rolling the roof open!!! Here comes the sun!!