Guess Who Got a hold of the Camera?

Colors of Spring

Jake & the kids. We've decided just to shave Jake's head lately. We need to face the fact that the hair on top is not growing back any time soon. . . I think he looks so handsome with it.

Washing the car on a nice Spring day. Yes, Taylee is always in a swimming suit.

Our house is situated right in the middle of some great big trees, and lots of foliage. It feels like we live in a cabin, in the middle of the woods. All of the "Rhodies" are blooming right now. My mom was curious about this very common Washington plant, and what they look like in bloom. So, here are a few pictures. I also threw in some wildflowers, and my very favorite flower in the world, lilacs. I wish they would bloom all year long, but alas, when spring leaves, so do the colors. It is so pretty right now, and the kids have fun picking all the flowers. I always have a little vase full of something, even if it's just dandelions.

Sports Class & Swimming Lessons

The kids finished their first 5 week session of Swimming Lessons. They love to go, and it has been fun seeing them get braver in the water, and see their skills improve. We are starting another session next week so we won't lose the momentum!

Tay used to scream when we let go of her in the water. She has tried to be so brave, and I see her genuinely trying to get over her fear. Notice her death grip on the Coach's arm. She was better at the slide today, though. No hands!

Rohne is not really afraid of the water, he just doesn't like to stick his face in. They can't move up a level until they have mastered this skill. It may take some time to convince him. . .

While driving home from class today, Tay asked me: "Mommy, don't you wish we could live at the swimming pool? I said "No, why would we want to do that." She said: "Because then we could go swimming all day long, and I could have a swimming bed." Silly thoughts. She is our little mermaid.

Rohne has been doing a Sports Sampler class. It is 3 weeks of soccer, 3 of T-Ball, and 3 of Basketball. He was not a fan of soccer, we found out. He loves T-Ball, but, just wanted to hit all day, and they wouldn't let him. We'll see how he does in Basketball next week. It has actually kind of been a challenge for him to listen to the coaches, follow directions, and wait for his turn. I know he is still young, but I think it has been good for him. If anything, he comes home a little more tired afterwards. He always needs to burn off energy.

The class is made up of mainly 4 year olds, and Rohne is one of the tallest and biggest kids there.

Here he is stretching at the beginning of class. These activities have made our lives a little busier, but, I'm trying to squeeze them in before this new baby comes. If baby boy comes right on time, we should be all done with classes, and just have relax time. If he decides to make an early entrance, which I doubt, I don't know what I will do.

The Drillers are Tournament Champions!

Here's Jake's Champion Softball Team, the Drillers/D3VO. They had a big tournament all day Saturday, and after coming back from just one loss, they left #1. The kids and I suffered through the hard bleachers, and scorching sun for about 6 hours, until we could bear no more. The day was not so great on my growing belly, and aching back. When I have the kids, I don't get to see a lot of the action, but I was so proud of my husband. He displayed his plaque proudly on our wall, much to my dismay. But, he enjoys it so much, and has spent many hours, e-mails, and phone calls, putting together this team. It has been 6 years in the making, and they are finally winning. Good Job Guys!

Jake and his childhood friend, Jimmy. They have known each other since grade school, and after reconnecting, they are now closer than ever.

Here's the MVP, Simi, another friend from Jake's childhood. Simi is a single, good looking, Returned Missionary currently looking for a wife. If there is anyone out there you know who would be a good match for him, please let me know. We could probably coerce him into travelling for the right girl.

Clark, one of Jake's best friends from College. He was given All Star Pitcher.

Tila and Jordan, both Ex Minor League Baseball players. There are 3 prior Minor Leaguers, and 5 college ball players in the line-up.

They are all great guys, who get along really well with each other. It's actually so fun to watch them. . . . when they're winning, of course!

Here are my kids, with one of their best friends, Fallon. She is Jimmy's daughter, and such a sweet little girl. The games are so much easier if Fallon is there, because they are so entertained by her. Her mom is turning out to become one of my good friends, too. And, I definitely can use more girlfriends. All of the wives and girlfriends of the players are so fun to talk with, and be around. Jake's connections always seem to make me friends, because I am so inept at making them myself.

Some Mother's Day Entertainment

Here's a little shout-out to all the mothers out there, especially my own mother. I hope these videos enrich your heart and soul.

Love Love Loving These. Way 2 Much!

When we were at my in-law's house a couple Sundays ago, my mother-in-law had made this yummy dessert, and I probably ate a quarter of it myself. These bars are so moist, and yummy. It makes a whole sheet cake full, but they claim to freeze well. I really really should freeze them, because I've been eating, and eating, and eating. I went to the Dr. today, and the calories really screamed at me when I timidly stepped on the scale. While talking to my sis, Nat, on the phone yesterday, she requested I post the recipe for all of you to enjoy them also. Super easy.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1-1/2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream (8 0z. carton)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 medium, ripe bananas mashed (about 1 cup)

FROSTING:

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

3-3/4 to 4 cups Powdered Sugar

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the bananas.

Spread into a greased sheet cake, or bar baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool.

For frosting, in a bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Gradually beat in enough powdered sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in refrigerator. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Spring is Here! Finally

I think it just might be here to stay. We have had our share of rainy, dreary days, and know there will be many more in the future, but it sure feels good to have some sunshine lately. On Friday, it was beautiful, and I ripped out the shorts, and let Tay wear a tank top. Spring also means many skinned knees, antibiotic ointment, and band-aids, until their knees get calloused over again. We have had many tears shed over a few drops of blood from our dear little drama princess, but, that will soon stop too. The kids and I love to take picnics to the park. I have a knack for finding the parks that are not very inhabited, which is good for a paranoid mom like me. (Over 30 cases of Swine Flu in Washington, mainly Seattle. YIKES!) On Friday, I piled the kids in the wagon, packed a yummy lunch, and we headed to one of our favorites. I failed to remember that my children actually gained some pounds from last summer, and I was 8 months pregnant. It was not an easy walk. At one point, I thought I might pass out, but, I persevered. I might think twice before doing that again though. I had let Jake take the car that day, so I had no other choice.

Last summer, the kids wouldn't even try to climb this spider web. Now, they are old pros. What a difference a year makes.

We celebrated our nephew, Parker's 2nd Birtnday, on Friday. It was such a great party. Here are all the cousins piled on the bed, while Grandma reads stories.

Our weeks are a little busy right now. I'm trying to fit in a lot of stuff, for the kids sake, before the baby comes, and makes me slow down. Rohne has a sports class every Monday morning, and both the kids have swimming lessons Tuesday and Thursday. Tay's preschool is on hold for a bit, since one of the moms just had a baby, and the other family is moving into a new house. I am now going to the Dr. every week, and finding a babysitter is so stressful. I worry and worry about it, until it's taken care of. I have the hardest time asking other people to watch my kids. Jake is in full blown Softball mode now, with games a couple times a week, and either practice or tournaments on Saturdays. I got released from Young Womens, so my Wednesday nights are now open, but it seems like we are still really really busy. And, I am just getting larger, and more tired. Although I secretly hope that this baby comes early, I feel like I need to utilize these last weeks to prepare myself, and my family for the upcoming change.