Damien!

Os' cousin, Damien, came to visit from Virginia during his spring break. We had a wonderful time with him. It is hard to believe that this warm-hearted teenager that is now the same height as Os was the ring bearer in our wedding.


The kids were thrilled to have a huge playmate. Damien is a really talented song writer and guitarist and he had a few jam sessions with the kids.

Of course, there is nothing better than a big cousin for wrestling.


We went to the coast and the three crazies, Os, Drew and Damien, took a plunge in the 52 degree water. Burr! That makes me feel cold just typing it.



Damien had never been west of the Mississippi, so we showed him some of the highlights of the Bay Area: Alcatraz, the redwoods, the Golden Gate Bridge.





We love you, Damien! Come again soon!

Tadpoles

While my dad and grandma were in town we went on a little hike in the regional park near our house (we can walk to it -- fabulous!)

It was so green and fresh I felt like the crispness of the color was almost tactile.

The boys brought along their nets and had several failed attempts to catch insects. When we reached the pond we found TADPOLES! I was thrilled and so were the boys because they were easy to catch. I told the boys they had to hold their breath if they took the tadpoles out of the water so they would remember the baby amphibians needed to be in the water to breathe. I don't know if it helped, but I think the we left the pond with the same number of tadpoles it had before we came.


I love this picture...

My Grandma

I have mentioned before on this blog my love and admiration for my grandma, but her trip out to visit us in CA was especially meaningful to me.

Even with spring in the air, my spirit has been stuck in bleak midwinter. I have felt weary with life. Being with my grandma was such an encouragement. She is a flesh and blood witness in the crowd testifying to God's goodness and faithfulness. She is turning 89 this May and is still active and purposeful and learning. That is how I want to be in this dreary present when the light seems hazy and continuing on to each day that is set before me.

There is something very special about grandparents. I loved watching my kids with their GG (great-grandma). All three kids had instantaneous affection for her and were bright and bubbly in the warmth of her love.

Sweet Jelly Bean having a chat with GG in the Redwoods


We took a trip to the majestic Redwoods and enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch.


GG, Grandpa and the kids -- there was a bit of a glare as you can see from the expressions.


Family photo of four generations

Mustard Flowers

Our Very Own Solar System

The boys have really been enjoying The Magic School Bus - Lost in the Solar System.

One Saturday Os and Moose were inspired to create their own model of the solar system and hang it up on the ceiling fan so the planets would... you guessed it... rotate around the sun.

I was especially impressed with Moose's coloring of the earth.

Milestones

Jelly Belly (henceforth known as Jelly Bean) has been feeding herself for some time, but I don't have nearly enough pictures to document the fun. Food is delicious and also great for styling your hair!

BiggiE loves having a piano in the house. I wonder if he has a future in music production because often brings his toy computer next to whatever music he is playing.

Moose started riding his bike full on as soon as we moved to our new home. His riding has improved exponentially and he zooms around the driveway doing all sorts of tricks.