Our Annual Spring Break in OR.

Here is Blake's bachelor pad/loft. It's very small-but what does Blake need space for??? I brought Johanna and Logan down to Medford to visit Blake. Johanna slept on the loveseat, Logan on the floor, and luckily, Blake had a full size bed for me to share with him = ) We drove all over Medford looking at houses-always fun to do!

Yes, here is photographic evidence that Blake can cook-oh wait-I made this meal....Anyway, this is the very cooktop that Blake has been using to concoct gourmet Hamburger Helper.

the capitol was gorgeous as ever. (dandelion courtesy of Ed)

B B B BUS

Flower Power and the Thurman kids

A Night at the Races

It's Pinewood Derby Night! This is always a very exciting time for a young boy scout (and their not so young fathers too). Thankfully, Blake was on top of things and had Logan's car all ready to go a month ago before he started his new job. Logan had a great time (he came in 19th over all), and I was just glad his car wasn't last. Logan is waiting at the finish line, anxiously awaiting the Big Cheese's top time.

Logan carefully putting his car on the track-a couple kids lost a wheel along the way!

Logan received a special award for the "cheesiest" car. This is because for some reason he had Johanna paint "The Big Cheese" with an accompanying wedge of swiss on the top of his car. All the boys got awards for their cars and Logan was pretty happy with his award. We all had a great time watching the exciting Pinewood Derby races. Some of those cars get pretty fancy-but we like to stick with the basics!

Dad is in the house!

Eddy is feeling downcast after yet another gutter ball. We all had a fun time bowling Saturday afternoon.
Blake was able to come visit us last weekend-after three weeks of being at his new job in Medford. The kids were all so happy to see him-especially Eddy, who became Blake's shadow for the three days he was here. We had a good time together and kept busy doing fun things or just enjoying time at home.

Not a real flattering picture, but this is what romance looks like after 15 years of marriage.

President's Day was unexpectedly nice, so we had a rousing game of Ultimate Frisbee at the park. Ed refused to play, so after making him watch us for awhile, I took him to the play equipment.

Blake and Logan getting his pinewood derby car ready to go, since Blake won't be here for the derby. It's been dubbed "The Big Cheese". Johanna painted a lovely wedge of chedder on the top. I'm sure it will win top honors for style, but we'll have to see how fast it is.

Fun at home with mom

There are perks to being the only one home. We play games, and have popsicles at 10 a.m.

We got a couple inches of snow yesterday morning, so Ed an I hurried out to make a snowman. Just 2 hours later, our poor man had already met his demise. I also gave Eddy a ride around the backyard on our sled. We made it around our "track" twice before we were down to the grass and had to stop-still, it was fun-we may not get snow again this Winter.

Weekend Happenings

Eddy started off our weekend with a Preschool Sleepover at our house. We played "Bug in the Rug", danced, drank hot cocoa and watched a scary movie with popcorn, of course! Johanna had about 5 girls over that evening and Logan had a friend too-together, they polished off a huge pizza, breadsticks, and an entire pan of Rice Krispy treats (but somehow, the salad survived un-touched). Exhausting, but fun.


Sunday afternoon was spent making Valentines. Eddy has been so excited about "Valentimes Day" I hope it meets his expectations tomorrow. Everyone had fun putting togehter their creations. However, with class sizes so big these days-it's quite an ordeal! We made about 60 cards all together.

Doesn't my mantel look festive, but not overly so? Blake sent the beautiful tulips yesterday. I made the cute (and super simple) heart garland with a friend last week, Cam brought the nail and string heart art home from school, and I canabalized an old art project from one of the kids (no name on it, so I felt free to) and put the latest pic of Blake and I in it. The kids were wondering why it was just a picture of us, and not them too!

There's no fun like snow fun!

We had a great time at the cabin last weekend. There was a ton of snow-so great sledding! We relaxed, played and ate. Blake's parents were there with us, as well as Johanna's friend, Brittany. It was a long drive to get there (we arrived at 12 a.m. and it was freezing!), but well worth it.

The kids looked so cute in front of the pond with the beautiful snowy background

Cam throws a snowball at the girls-there were snowball fights aplenty

Grandpa loves to chop wood and start fires-he made one to burn up the old Christmas tree, so the kids took the opportunity to roast marshmellows-it was weird smelling like smoke in the winter.

Johanna launches her Spring clothing line (sorry-only in size doll)

This was cute and I had to put it in-Ed's preschool was saying the pledge of allegiance-they all know it really well. One of the mom's has even taught them the Star Spangled Banner! So patriotic

Here's Inky modeling the latest in hair fashions, Made by Jen. Also in the picture...my foot.

Johanna has spent hours sewing doll clothes lately. She just finished these "skinny" jeans and tank top. They are so cute!

Johanna's inspiration...Aunt Jen. Jen sewed these absolutely gorgeous dresses...amazing! Better then the real thing.