Spring Break

So I finally am taking pictures. Must be spring!

We went to the beach for the weekend the last couple days of spring break. Honestly I ran out of things to do in Portland that I had coupons for...shhhh.

It was a wild weather weekend. We left Friday morning and hit a ton of snow on the pass. When Phillip drove over that afternoon it was clear as a bell. Hmmm, I had the kids, dog and snow and he had a quiet clear drive. Bitter but not sure who at, him for working and being blessed or me for not being patient and leaving w/out him.

Here are photos of how it really is to live in the pacific northwest. If it is cold, wet and raining, just wear boots. Hammie dog loves swimming in the ocean, especially when chasing other dogs. We also hit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Yes that is Phillip at the top of an anchor. He was showing RJ that you could climb the chain. I tried not to freak out and just take a picture but I admit, I have a weak constitution...when it comes to my boys.

Enjoy the walk through the pics. I know there are a few.

Easter

Okay, so I have been a little busy w/ the holidays. We'll all get over it some day.

Spent Easter as a family, I know we skipped church, we didn't want to go with everyone we only see twice a year...heathens that we are;)

After eating our fill of healthy foods we headed to Ama's (Connor and Lexi's grandmother) for Easter dinner. After the year we have had I just didn't have it in me to host another family meal. Again, we'll all get over it someday.

Here they are hunting eggs at Ama's house. It was great fun for the four of them. RJ and Connor then took turns hiding the empty eggs for another hour or so until dinner was ready. What a surprise they found one that I had hid. I always forget one.

Aren't they amazing!

First Communion

RJ and Pastor Knapp
Post Communion smiles!
Trying to behave in the pew (w/ buddy James), waiting for communion...

RJ was ready this year to take his first communion. Being Lutheran it is important but not overwhelming for the kiddos to participate. There were a couple of classes and they made the bread that was eaten at the communion held on Maunday Thursday. As his entourage, we converged on the church and had a Sader dinner and then proceeded to have a wonderful service. There were all of us, his friend James, Aunt Kate, cousin Connor, Nana, Papa, Oma and the four other boys that went with him. Quite the trend for RJ to be in a group of all boys. Quite the handful, and funny group;) He got his own cross to wear and now can go to the communion rail w/ Phillip and I. It has been a great year watching RJ grow into an amazing person. I love being blessed by being his mama.

Fun Weeked

RJ and Phillip had an absolute blast at the PBR (professional bull riding) event that the scouts all went to. Here are pictures of RJ with Buckshot...apparently very intimidating at a glance but he licked Phillips hand so was quite the old softy...or he knew to be very afraid of my Men!

I did manage to squeeze in the Shamrock Run. I did the 5K because Phillip and I were teaching Sunday school and I had to run, take the max home and be showered, dressed and ready to go starting at 8:05 and out the door to church at 9:30. I did it! That and I had a hell of a run...9.25 minute mile! Better then last year at a 10 minute mile. I was motivated:) Nothing like running alongside everyone saying, "gotta get to church, gotta get to church". I placed in the top 1/3 for runners in my grouping (whatever that means); top half for women. Yeah! Will tackle better training for the 8K next year and plan not to be teaching;)

All in all a great weekend full of busy busy Erwin boys. We went out for breakfast, shopping, biking, running, writing letters, book store and movie night all in a whopping three days. Ah. Gearing up for the rest of the week!

RJ has his first communion on Thursday and today we made bread w/ the rest of his group to be eaten that night. We are very excited for him. He is enjoying making friends and we are loving to watch him grow into a wonderful guy that is great to be around. Bragging rights aside, he is an absolute delight!

Lots of love!

ps: photo from last week...boys hanging out in the teepee being "indians"

Breathe

I must remember to breathe....

You think you are busy w/ little kids because you are chasing them all over and seem to be really wiped out at the end of the day. As they get older you just trade the busy for activities outside of the house...

Last weekend RJ had the Pinewood derby on Friday night. He made a great car, he and Phillip worked really hard cutting and sanding it to the right shape. Then RJ and I spent time painting, placing the stickers just right and sealing it. So glad about the last step, since Jack thought he should paint too when I wasn't looking! We were able to remove the silver glob w/out incident. He and Phillip went to the race and had a great time! Well until his weights fell out of the bottom and his car jumped the track, crashing and breaking into many pieces. Needless to say that was the end for RJ, he was crushed. I would have liked to see the whole thing, it was amazing from what I heard, flying over the track. Learning moments you know.

Then on Saturday he had his first Lacrosse practice. He is loving it! Such a surprise, it is a very fast moving sport that is very demanding physically. Not something I ever thought he would like... he is having a great time though.

Then on the Sunday was a scouting event to the mountain. RJ and I went to this one w/ a group of his buddies and we tried out snowshoeing. It was a blast! I think RJ and I have found our winter sport...like we have time for more;) He had great fun sledding and w/ the snowball fight. We made it back in time for dinner and I was spent. RJ fell asleep early and we let him sleep in on Monday. Nothing better then a mental health day. He made it to school eventually and it was a good day.

This last weekend was just Lacrosse and then a weekend w/ Nana and Papa at the beach. He kept busy w/ his brother playing on the playground, digging in the sand and baking. I was glad to have a weekend w/ Phillip and getting caught up on rest. We are now gearing up for RJ again this weekend so we are all needing rest. RJ and Phillip are going to a bull riding show, more Lacrosse and then a Communion class. I am hoping to squeeze in the Shamrock run but we will see.

Will get some photos up from the last week as soon as I can find the camera.

Snow!

I finally have the pictures from when we were in Utah. There was so much snow that Jack nor I could walk in it. It came up to my knees and Jack was covered. So here are photos of him attempting to play in the snow. He enjoyed filling the bucket and trying to make a snow castle!

Peace

The service for Pop was today and I have to say there is a lot more peace in my life now. It has been a rather empty month for me with no one to fret over, now that I have had my chance to say goodbye I finally have a quiet within me that is pleasant. It has been a long couple of months and I am so blessed to have had all the moments of joy that came from all the struggle. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails.