Aaron's actually Sky Diving

Aaron had an amazing weekend - he got to actually skydive this weekend.  He got his first real tandem jump in and he LOVED it.  He was grinning ear to ear and bouncing all day Saturday - both with anticipation before and excitment after!  

Aaron was also at the CDL classes this week - he had a great time learning and using simulators and checking out different companies in the area.  

This week was Spring Break for the kids, so they kept busy at home - we didn't really have any plans - too much else going on!  David spent at lot of time with Paxton and some other friends including a sleepover.  Evelyn had track practices all week and Anna and I had our usual work schedules.  

David asked if he could dye his hair, so on Thursday after I got home from work, we used the box dye I got on Monday and turned him into an "orange-head" (he gets annoyed when people call him a redhead...)  I think it turned out pretty good though, and he's had fun showing it off!  

This weekend was exciting - the Messiah Choir had their final rehearsals and then our performance tonight!  It went well and we had a great time.  Dan's friends Ed and Ben came to the concert and it was fun having friends there!  

It was also our Easter program this week at church - Anna was accompanying two numbers - I was directing the choir for two numbers and Evelyn had put together a group for a number.  Everyone was amazing - Evelyn's number was especially beautiful - especially after all the trouble she had getting it together -  she had 3 of the 4 friends she had asked to help with it back out on her - one last minute.  But with Anna taking over piano and some help from friends she made it work and it was beautiful!!!  

Aaron's Skydiving...almost

Aaron decided that for his 'senior trip' he was going to do a week long school to get certified to skydive.  Before that happens this summer, there are some pre-requisites.  He took care of the first this weekend - he went to a safety course.  Dan just hung out and got a couple jumps in, Aaron had a blast doing this class - every time he came out, he was grinning from ear to ear.  While he was doing that, mom was running errands and playing water polo.  Evelyn was with a bunch of friends out at the coast.  Anna had work and the temple and David was at Paxton's house.  So it was really only James and Eileen home to greet Grandpa when he arrived.  He flew in to be here for Anna's farewell talk on Sunday.  Anna spoke, and she and I performed O Divine Redeemer again.  David invited Paxton's family to church and it was a great day to have them there.  The lessons and talks were wonderful!  

The rest of the week was pretty normal craziness - school, sports and friends.  Evelyn is doing track and Aaron has started Club water polo.  Anna is keeping busy with work and the temple - though she is getting very tired of the early morning shift!  

Weather has been nice, so we've stayed after school to play most days and the kids love getting to hang out with friends and play on the playground

We hosted a youth activity at our house and the kids ate cookies and played games - everyone had fun! 

Swim banquet

The kids had their end of year swim banquet this week.  It's been a ton of fun and the kids were amazing.  The head coach worked this year on getting a Mountainside records board - and it's was fun seeing how many of the names I recognized on there!  The kids all did amazing and Evelyn was super excited to be chosen as one of the captains for next year!  

Other than that, it's been a normal busy sort of week with school and work and kids stuff.  Dan is still on the hunt for a new job and Anna is still getting ready for her mission.  Eileen is finishing up her Associates degree at PCC - but the teachers went on strike, so she may not even have to take a final.  

David and I found a newt on the way home from school one day which was fun!

Ummm... Where did February Go????

This has been a crazy busy month!  The kids finished up swim season.  Aaron had his senior night at our last meet against Jesuit.  It has been a great season for him and for the team as a whole.  It's been a lot of fun helping out with them and a lot of fun seeing the kids grow and improve!  

Districts went well for both of them - Both Aaron and Evelyn made it to the finals in their events as well as Aaron being in one of the relays.  The kids all did an amazing job!  We had a few kids go to state - Evelyn and Aaron were alternates again, but they didn't swim at State.  Evelyn loved going and supporting her friends who were swimming though!  

The weekend of State was crazy busy.  It was also the weekend of the Portland Regional Music Workshop and Performers Concert.  Anna and I performed "O Divine Redeemer" together.  She did an amazing job on the piano and my solo went pretty well too.  Everyone was so kind and all the performers did an amazing job!   

David's 3rd Grade class had their big music concert.  David was SO excited about it.  He has been talking about it for over a month and invited everyone he knew to it.  He did an amazing job and had a part in a small group part.  We got him some balloons and candy and a card as a "congrats" type of gift.  He was super excited about it.  :)  

I got to scrimmage with the masters group at the MAC this month - it was such a fun day, and we had a great time.  Our team did well and I played alright.  It was fun to see friends and then after, we went out to a nearby bar and grill to hang out for a bit.  

The beginning of March signals Grandpa's birthday.  He turned 99 this year!  Sandi and I flew out and we met our parents out in Colorado.  My parents got an airbnb for us to all share.  It was great.  I found a place to swim and went to do laps most mornings.  And I even got to go play water polo one night with the masters group in Denver.  It was a lot of fun and I met some great people!  During the day, we spent our time hanging out with Grandpa and trying to help him out and get some things done for him.  Sandi is so amazing - she was SO MUCH help with Grandpa and helping figure out some financial things and finding some tax deductible stuff for him.  Wednesday evening, we had a little party for Grandpa with the family - We brought in Olive Garden and held it in the activity room at his place.  Grandpa asked us to all share a favorite memory of the cabin and we had a great night spent reminicing together and laughing and talking!  

Thursday night, my mom decided to make steaks for Grandpa, so we had another smaller dinner with Grandpa of steak and mashed potatoes and peas.  The food was all super yummy!  The steak was amazing - my mom is a great cook!  

In addition to the big get together meals, we had lots of little one on one and 2 or 3 on one meals with Grandpa.  Sandi or I had breakfast with him every morning.  I got In-N-Out burger for us for dinner one night.  I had lunch with him one day and Stuart brought Freddy's for lunch one day.  It was so nice to have these more personal interactions and also to get to meet some of the people he usually eats with and talks to.  

The weather most of the time we were there was sunny and warm and beautiful - but Friday, it started snowing and snowed all day.  It was fun, but also a little worrisome since Sandi, Dan and I were all flying out that evening.  Sandi got out just a little late - Dad and I were over an hour later each, but we all got home safely.  And we enjoyed getting to see the snow! 

Saturday morning was back to the usual.  David and I had a tournament this weekend.  He had a couple games on Saturday and one on Sunday (there were actually 2 on Saturday, but we went to church during the first one) They won 2 and lost 2.  But they all played SUPER well.  It was a lot of fun to be there with them and working with them.  David was super excited and talking about doing more tournaments!  

Sunday also included a wonderful church service and choir practice and the Messiah Choir practice.  It's been so much fun having these practices and getting this amazing music ready to perform!   

Anna's leave date on her mission was pushed back a couple weeks because of some mix-ups about her MTC time and beacause the mission she was called to was getting split into two missions.  She is spending most of her time working or at the temple.  And because of the change in start time, she is now able to do the Messiah with us!