My Favorite Childhood Look

Is there anything cuter than a toothless smile?


Seeing this makes me want to jump rope, play jacks, walk barefoot through the grass, climb a tree and eat a popsicle...

The Magician

Today was the last day of our soccer season. The boys ended with a win, completing an undefeated run.


They all play well


And most important, they encourage, support and ENJOY each other. As a parent, I also feel extremely lucky to have such amazing coaches for Mitchell. They really see the "big picture" and are teaching these boys life skills that will benefit them far beyond the soccer field.


After the game, the coaches gave each boy a certificate with a complimentary and appropriate title. Mitchell is now "The Magician."

I might point out that Mitchell is wearing a different color jersey than the rest of the team. Is it because he is extra special...or likes to stand out in a crowd...is it because magicians typically wear black or because he went straight to the game after a Father-Sons camp, for which he proudly and responsibly packed for himself (he didn't have his matching shorts either)...hmmm...you decide:)

Japanese Sous Chefs

Our friend Serina came to visit for a month from Japan. We couldn't let her go home without teaching us some Japanese cooking. She is quite the chef and a great teacher.

We made gyoza and karaage

I have no idea what Emily had just said to Ellie about their "mixture", but apparently it cracked her up and grossed her out at the same time


Learning from the expert


This is serious stuff


Serioiusly, this is serious!


The 1st gyoza attempt...pretty good, I'd say


Everyone getting in on the action.




This picture has nothing to do with this post, but it really cracks me up. I'm surrounded by so many hotties!

The New Bike

Maybe it's because we live between so many hills...or maybe it's my lack of excitement for running behind a bike for miles and miles (again)...or maybe Madelyn has just grown up too fast. In any case, Madelyn is WAY past the point when our other two learned to ride a bike without training wheels. We decided it was time. Lon took on the task.


First, learning to balance. We should have found a yoga instructor for this one..."find your center, feel your core, etc."


Lon: "Here, let me show you how to do it"


Madelyn: "When is dad giving me my bike back?"





Maybe if some warm weather finds stability in our little corner of the world, we'll have some success.

Happy Seventh, Sweet Madelyn!

How can my baby be 7??!! (She often reminds me that she's NOT my baby.)



We celebrated Friday night with the girlfriends during a pizza, popcorn, pajama and pillow fight party.



We celebrated Saturday as a family at Lagoon. This is the new ride and Madelyn's favorite...the Jumping Dragon...

A Hero

I feel so lucky that my children are surrounded by people who are great role models and influence them in positive ways. Brandon Mull is Mitchell's favorite author. He loves all of his books. He loves to read because of talent like Brandon's. We couldn't pass up a chance to go to our local book store to meet him.


He was so kind...he signed all 5 books that Mitchell took, each with a personal message, he talked to Mitchell and posed for pictures.

Belated Easter

My Easter morning started with a beautiful sunrise service where Ellie sang and played violin.


We had a fun egg hunt with the Rosqvist family



and egg dying and dinner with the Wasden family