First Track Season

 Matthew stepped out of his comfort zone and went out for track this year! He loves to run but knows he isn't the fastest, but he decided to go for it anyway to improve his speed and I couldn't be more proud of him. He grew as a runner, made some new friends, and most of all seemed to have fun!

It was pouring during his first meet!

He started his first race (1500) slow.. but then he started picking off runners one by one and ended up coming in second out of all the 6th graders!!!

He was super pumped about that!

This is a pic of his last race. I didn't get a lot of photos thru the season but he did so great. He is planning on doing it again next year. 

Strong work, buddy!!

Easter 2022

 It was SO fun to host Easter again after a two year COVID hiatus! I was so hopeful that the day would be fun and full of good family time.... and it was!

Evelyn made the name tags for the place settings. She is so talented with lettering.

Matthew and I at church

Ev and friends.... love these girlies!

Doug had a silly hors d'oeuvres idea and I let him run with it. He bought a bunch of McDonalds cheeseburgers on the way home from church, cut them into quarters, and put tomoatoes and olives on top with fancy toothpicks. It actually was really good and a hit with everyone. 

The rest of the hors d'oeuvres..

Doug's Aunt Mary is the best and always my biggest helper and cheerleader when I host family events. 

Other photos from the day...

I told them this would be their album cover if they were a band...haha!

Love this group of cousins!

It was a fun day with family!

Spring Break Getaway

We got away to the Columbia River Gorge for a few days for spring break. It was fun to spend time together outside and be in God's creation!

Ready to go... 💗

We have silly kids.... love them so much!

Doug drove to Troutdale. Then we stopped for ice cream and had Evelyn take over driving duties! It was the first time I have been in the car while she drove. 

She is doing GREAT and is a very conscientious driver.

Our first stop.. Multnomah Falls!

Love their relationship... grateful for how strong it is. They may drive each other nuts a lot, but their love for each other is fierce. 

We made just across the big bridge when the rain came. It started as a sprinkle then just kept getting stronger and stronger. It was borderline miserable out there, but we kept on. 

We decided to turn around 3/4 of the way up.. it was just too wet and slippery. We weren't the only ones. 

Sweet photo...

We were a wet bunch but had fun nonetheless!

We got to our hotel and dried off and rested

Both kids' faces in this silly shot are hilariou!!

Morning views from our room. We love this hotel! 

Breakfast shenanigans... 

One of my "bucket list items" has been to walk over the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks (where our hotel is!) so we did that after breakfast!

It was a little windy on the way back across the columbia river! 😂 I am grateful Doug and the kids went along with my crazy idea! 

We then headed to Bonneville Dam where we walked around the amazing  and beauatiful grounds, saw a lot of fish, and learned a lot!

Then we headed under the freeway and went on a hike to Wahclella Falls. It was a sunny and beautiful day to go on the 4 mile loop!

The photos don't do it justice. The falls were absolutely incredible and the scenery was breathtaking! 

We headed back tot he hotel and spent some time at the pool.

And headed out to dinner after that and had a yummy dinner at Thunder Island Brewery

These two.... goodness I love them!

Living his best life...haha!

Last morning at our favorite breakfast spot!

We did one more hike on the way home.. Bridal Veil Falls. It was a short but steep hike with more beautiful views at the end!.

We drove home via the old Columbia River Hwy and stopped at Crown Point on our way...

One last ice cream stop before making it home!

So thankful for time together and for the beautiful place we get to call home!