Family Fun

For the 5 years I have lived up here, I had heard of the Purgatory Chasm. I read about it. I have experienced it. What a fun night. That, a picnic dinner, and the boys playing on the playground. This looks like a family favorite of ours to do.



We were amazed at how one minute it was warm and humid and the next we would look down into a cavity of the chasm and see snow that had not melted yet. Or the fact that it would be cool and moist then suddenly you could feel the warmth and humidity of the normal air temperature. We loved the moss, lichen, trees that were hallowed out and holding water in them just like a little well and ferns.

Easter 2011

I don't think I will get too many more Easter bunny pictures from Michael and Jacob, especially Michael. This was taken at the neighborhood Easter egg hunt. They had the egg hunt for the younger, which Jacob participated in. He was disappointed that he didn't find the golden egg that had the cool prize. Michael participated in the older kids games which was building a cushioned container to see if their egg would break. His broke. But it was a fun time.

No candy for the boys this year. It just makes them so hyper. So we did the baskets with their favorite toys and they got a big item. Jacob chose a scooter with a swivel wheel in the back. I tried to ride it but thought I was going to be flipping over the handlebars so I just stopped immediately. I am definitely not cut out any longer for swings, skates (maybe ice skates), roller coasters, or anything that moves faster than I do. Michael hasn't decided what he wants.

Today, Michael is at his 1/2 year mark. In 6 months exactly, he will be 14. And be able to start going to church dances. Even school dances. Michael is eager to finish 6th grade. He is doing well but it's been a rough year. He has grown another 1/2 inch and another shoe size. It won't be long until he towers over his parents and starts shaving. Michael is 1/2 way to Eagle rank for Scouts. He's working on his Star rank. Then it will be the Life rank, then Eagle. Summer camp in July will help him achieve a lot of the requirements that he needs to get his Star rank.









Jacob loves being 10. He is in Webelos. He has a lot this summer he is going to be doing with the requirements. Much of the requirements will have him going places and exploring or finding the results of experiments. He loves the science parts of the requirements. While Michael and Dad are gone to summer camp, Mom and Jacob will be going to the ocean and other close places or just hanging out at home. Perhaps the painting in the house might get done that week. Jacob loves to do that. And he's good at it too. Jacob will done with 3rd grade in June, and entering into his last year, 4th grade, of elementary school in August. Hard to believe!








This is what I love best about having family time together. The smiles of fun. Easter for our family is what the holiday is really about. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We allow for the non spiritual side of the holiday but not until after church and given time to reflect what the Savior has done for us. And time for a nap. Then out comes the tradition of egg coloring. We used the Paas Magic Stix. They were ok. Nothing to rave about. They were hard to use. But it was fun to try new things. Steven is the master egg colorer. The one in the upper right picture with the four colors is one of his creations. The one that looks like a watermelon is Michael's. I think the lime green colored egg (mine) is my favorite. There's just something about that color. Maybe I'll paint my kitchen that color. Hmmm...