the sea lab

living surrounded by Puget Sound like we do

we get to see all the amazing things found in the tide pools

Grace's field trip to the Sea Lab

was NOT her favorite

my girly girl would NOT touch 

anything

even when friends did 
or when mom did
in fact when we did her good opinion of us seemed to diminish just a little

 but I can't say that I blame her
it does look really gross

Yeah 
that's as close as she got to the tanks 
I'm not sure she could even see into the pools

But outside was better
it was a beautiful day!
looking over at the Olympic Peninsula 

the beach was even better!
even if they weren't allowed near the water

Happy field trip day!

the teenager

I love you Jared

Apparently that statement is embrassing
we can't say these things in a public places like the school drop off

His birthday was actually 2 weeks ago 
so I'm slow 
hey! we can't be perfect all the time!

his Grandma and Grandpa Johnston came up and took him out of school and to lunch on Friday
I didn't get a picture of them with him
(bad mom)
afterwards they hung around with Ms. Grace and made Easter bunnies
(actually that was Grandma I don't know what Pop did)

they stayed for dinner then came with us to Alex's clarinet choir recital
(no picture of that either, I really am doing bad these days)

His actually birthday was Saturday and we have an official teenager  (scary)

that day he had his wrestling finals in Anacortes

I think he liked wrestling 

sometimes its hard to tell the difference between like, hate and total indifference

The other kids were home so we took Jared to a late lunch at one of my favorite places!
he liked it too

then he came home and crashed....
he had to be at the middle school at 5:45am

it was hard this year the things he wanted are getting to be out of our general budget 
we got him a couple of small things book, gift card, candy...
then we went 1/2's on a new to him mountain bike
both he and Eric agree its totally awesome so I'll say its totally awesome too!

as requested
Pizza for dinner and
toffee cheese cake

I didn't get a picture of him and Eric and I so I'll have to grab that soon
somehow he didn't want one

We love you Jared we are so grateful you came into our lives 

life.... long post

fast forward
that is how I feel my life is going
like someone pushed fast forward
and I can't slow it down
and I'm trying
we've stopped doing A LOT
but its not really helping

Jared has finished with basketball season
they only lost 1 game 
he is thrilled because his team earned a trophy for the school trophy case
one thing we liked about this team is the coach had them dress for every game 

with basketball over he moves onto wrestling
he is doing all 4 school sports this year

in a rare moment at out house I everyone was home and everyone was calm
Ms. Grace was playing at the table

 Jared was fixing dinner

 Alex was practicing

 Tyler was in his room playing

There was a picture of Eric mostly asleep on the bed but no wants to see that!

we have a joke that we only need a 10 square foot house because usually we are all right on top of each other
so it was awesome to recognize a moment when we were all spread out taking up the entire house!!

So my daughter is obsessed with Valentines
she has wanted to make cards for her friends since Halloween
so for the last several weeks we have been spending Fridays making Valentines 

random 
the love the 4 wheeler 
I don't it terrifies me 
so they can only ride it with dad home and I go inside where I can't see my children risking their lives
I know that means I'm no fun
but then I guess that's me

Granny and pops came up for a quick visit
they took Tyler out for a birthday celebration 
ice cream I think

then we had to show them the rockets
pop, granny and I decided Eric has the most fun!

 love this!

in part of that slowing down I told you about
Alex had his first middle school band concert
he is doing really well with the clarinet 
way better than I ever did
he is even joined a clarinet choir

Jared has his art show
he submitted an abstract piece

we don't see many movies in the theater
it takes a small fortune to take a family of 6 
but this one was worth it!

 and in truly slowing down there has been time for these moments

and in the most excellent news

while most of the country is freezing and covered in feet of snow 

my front yard has signs of spring!!!!

Some of these pictures are part of my new project 365
I tried it 2 years ago and made it every day until August when I went on vacation
so I thought I'd try it again
its fun for me :)
go check it out
see good days

too fast, way too fast!

how is it possible?

that this sweet little baby

turned 4 years
scary!

it really doesn't seem fair
she is growing up very fast

we love this crazy

 take charge

 independent

creative

helpful

stylish

 happy 

sweet

little girl

she keeps us on our toes and keeps everyone in line

this year she wanted a rainbow cake again
and she wanted to help make it

it had a few problems this year
the red layer never made it on to the cake
but the birthday girl still loved it!
she chose the order of the colors

Granny and Pop came up for her birthday 
and shame on me I didn't get a picture of them
but they took her to get a special treat!
she choose to go to Baskin Robins (smart girl) for an ice cream cone

then back home for pizza, present and cake

now for the big present

no peeking

a new bike

pink and purple of course

its a little big for her

but then she isn't getting smaller and the size down was too small 

with a little help she was good to go!

happy birthday GRACE!!!

 We love you!