Safely Home

I just thought I would post that Uncle Josh (my sister's husband) is home safely from Afghanistan. He left in December and got home last week. It was so interesting/disturbing to hear about some of what he experienced over there. I know I will never fully understand what it is like to be there, but I feel like I have a better understanding now. While he was gone, Carter prayed for him every day. As Josh shared some stories with the family on Sunday, I could tell that he had been protected and that he was blessed with the guidance of the Spirit while he was there. Carter sat very intrigued while he talked and I saw his eyes well up a couple of times. We are so glad to have him home!

A Rough Month

Olivia's 9th month was a rough one. It started with an ear infection, then we moved on to a lovely case of Roseola, then after a week of good health, a double ear infection, sinus infection, and pink eye. Just in case she wasn't in enough pain, she broke 4 top teeth that month. In the midst of all the pain, she did learn to stand while holding on to something (she is not pulling herself up yet) and she is really cruising on all fours!

Although we have had some bad days, she is still such an easy-going baby and so far, month 10 is going much smoother!

Easter and a Birthday

Aren't these the cutest cupcakes? I made them for Easter dinner at my Aunt Nancy's. Garth said I ruined perfectly good cupcakes with coconut. Judging by how the kids ate the eggs, and the cake but most left the frosting alone, I would venture to guess that they agreed with Garth.

Just when Garth was getting used to being 30. . .he has another birthday! I was a pretty lame wife this year. Before we left for Canada, he bought himself a new grill he has wanted since last Spring. I will be the first to admit that Garth is WAY better at BBQ than I am. . . I have a tendency to burn things. So for his birthday dinner, HE made us all ribs on his new grill. Notice the super cool rib rack so He can make twice as many in the same amount of time (looks like we need to have a party this summer!)

How can you compete with that? I did make him an amazing apple pie (his favorite) but I still felt a little lame. Happy 31st Garth!

Spring Break 2010

Spring break at Big White was amazing! We were pleasantly surprised at how much snow there was, considering what a mild winter we had down here in Washington. To add to the fun, we invited our neighbors who have a boy Carter's age and a boy Syd's age. The Dunlop kids got snow shoes for Christmas so on the day they all skied together, we took their snow shoes for a spin.
I was so impressed with how well Carter and Sydney did. They were actually a lot of fun to snow shoe with because they wanted nothing to do with the beaten bath.

Quite the pose from Sydney. She tired out faster than Carter but she never complained or whined, she would just sit down occasionally and make a snow angel.

This was the view I had of Carter most of the morning, his backside as he disappeared into the trees.

Of course we hit the Kid's Carnival on Thursday night.

Derek got to go for the first time. He had fun doing the games but had a seriously hard time waiting in line. He didn't understand why he couldn't just walk right up and do what he wanted to.

The cotton candy line was the longest, but worth the wait!

Tubing was a bit windy. The kids didn't seem to mind, especially when they brought out the free hot cocoa.