Birthday Bowling....Finally!

Griffin and two friends hit the bowling alley in Roseburg yesterday afternoon.  The bumpers were up otherwise it would've been the lowest scoring game in history.  I made cupcakes, but of course Griffin reminded me that his first choice is ALWAYS doughnuts.  So we had cupcakes and doughnuts after bowling.

Griffin after releasing his ball with a loud bang

Griffin opening a gift of Pokemon cards with Faith in the cupcake zone

Enjoying the treats after a fun game

A Visit to the Fire Station

Griffin had the opportunity to go visit the fire station and learn about being a firefighter on Friday.  He and another cub scout got to ask a lot of questions.  After being given a plastic firefighter hat, Griffin wanted to know why they wouldn't give him a real one.



Inside the aid car

A lot of gauges on that fire truck!

 



SMS Home Track Meet

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon in Sutherlin for the first of two home track meets.  Track meets are very time consuming, but can be fun if you know the kids.  Since I know more high school kids than middle schoolers, it was only fun when watching Faith or her two friends in their events.  Fortunately the concession stand (run by the SMS Booster Club) was open so that helped.  Vaughn and I will be in the concession stand at the next home meet in May.

Faith in her 100 meter hurdles race at her first meet at South Umpqua HS (Lane 1)

Faith approaching her last hurdle at South Umpqua HS.



Faith in her 100 meter hurdles race in Sutherlin.

Faith in lane four.  She finished third.

Faith in her 100 meter sprint.  She placed third.



Faith and buddy, Cassidy

Our HOME

I have to admit, there were times in the last few months when I was really wondering where God wanted us to live.  I never felt that the apartment was where we were supposed to be permanently because there was a definite lack of hospitality space.

From the moment we walked through this house, it felt right.  Moving far away from family and friends we so wanted a house where we could have visitors without sending them to a hotel.  A place to host dinners, small groups, and play times for the kids and their friends.  We have that in this house and so much more!  Thank you God for this blessing!  Help us to use it to honor You.

Come visit us!

The Move Across Town

Moving day came on Saturday, April 6th! We were blessed to have friends: Devin, Steve, Bea and Mike helping us. Unfortunately Vaughn's back didn't do so well that day, and he was in a lot of pain. The storage unit and most of the apartment were emptied. Our new garage is FULL of stuff we'll probably be going through it until summer.

We had to have everything out of the apartment and cleaned by 5pm on Wednesday the 10th. This was a major challenge as Vaughn was still recovering from his sore back, and I work full time. It did get done, (Thanks to my parents for graciously helping us load up the remnants and getting them to the house. They were visiting over night to bring us a few things that didn't fit in June.) but boy was I tired last week!

Faith and her buddies taking a break on the porch swing

They are silly but lovable

So glad it doesn't look like this anymore!

What a disaster, but the TV is hooked up!

Spring Break 2013 Part Two

Once the kids and I got home Tuesday night, it was time to get the house ready for us to move in.  We had some help with the cleaning before we got home which was a blessing.  Vaughn had spent time over the weekend patching holes and blemishes that would be covered by paint.  Wednesday, I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned!  Then Vaughn decided to allow me to paint.  He even allowed Faith and her friend, Cassidy to do a little painting!  Besides getting the locks changed and the carpets cleaned, we did get most of the painting done.  Even though we had a bit more left to paint, we were ready to move in on Saturday!

The kitchen with cleaning supplies but not much else

The family/living room before painting

Vaughn "cutting in" around the closet doors in the bonus room

Griffin hanging out in his room, waiting for it to be painted.

Upstairs hallway

One of two master bedroom walls before painting.  It wasn't pretty.

Vaughn rolling the family/living room

More painting...

Spring Break 2013 Part One

This was definitely the most unusual spring break we have had in a long time!  On Friday, the 22nd we got the keys to our new house which was wonderful except for the fact that the next day the kids and I took the train from Eugene to Seattle.  We had been planning our trip up to Washington for quite a while and originally thought that we'd be in the house for about a month by the time spring break rolled around.

Our Washington trip was a quick trip, so quick that I didn't take many pictures.  One of the highlights was seeing Kaden in his Aladdin play that many students from his school put on.  It was very well done, and Kaden was an awesome grocer and guard!

The ride to Seattle - a full train.  The trip home was much less crowded.

Candace and Erik waiting for "Aladdin" to start

Griffin (not in picture) entertaining Grandpa.  Lance and Shaana keeping Eden busy.

The set of Aladdin beyond all of the heads.

Happy cousins!

Our Star (with eyeliner to bring out his dramatic eyes)!