Ended the week with snow, conjunctivitis, and otitis media!

Well, it seemed like a week full of, "I think we are getting better"...Merideth is now on antibiotics for pink eye and an ear infection. So much for the high hopes of getting well! Samuel had his last swim class yesterday and starts up with soccer again tomorrow. When we asked which he would prefer to do, swimming or soccer, without hesitation it was an enthusiastic "SOCCER!" Now all he talks about and tells anyone who will listen is soccer. Most of the time he has soccer "tonight" and his team is the wildcats. We aren't really sure where the wildcats came from but we hope he isn't too disappointed when he finds out his team is called the Hoppers.
New goggles just in time for Samuel's last swim class. I think we wore them around the house for an hour or so before both of the kids got tired of them and we had some pretty deep marks left after that.

Happy Easter!

We hope you had a wonderful Easter and we able to celebrate our Risen Lord! It was a pretty cloudy and rainy day in Seattle but nonetheless children can make any day fun! We also got to celebrate Marc's birthday which we found out will not be on Easter for another 100 years. He hopes he will not be alive for that one!Happy Easter! Samuel was very excited that it was finally "Easter Day". He had been waiting since we brought out all the Easter decorations weeks ago!It is so much fun when they love on each other!Happy Birthday Daddy!

LOVE

So I (Erin) am reading this book about parenting with grace and came upon the author's definition of love:

"Love is the commitment of my will to your needs and best interests, regardless of the cost."

This really hit home with me. To me love can be so abstract and there are so many authors/child psychologists/therapists/researchers/etc who fully believe that a huge piece of what our kids need to grow into healthy adults is love. After reading the definition above I really had to sit back and think about how I love, and not only my kids but all those I claim to love. I know that Jesus is love and the ultimate definition of love and often think of him and read about him when I need to work on my love, but we now have this definition on our bathroom mirror to remind us/me how to concretely love those whom I want to know my love...quite confusing, but something I felt led to share!
Love,
Erin

We love Colorado!

We spent four days in Denver and had a ton of fun! We stayed with long time friends Eric and Marsha and their two kiddos, Gabriella and Adam. We spent a day up at Winter Park where Samuel had his first ski lesson, Marc got to snowboard a bit with Troy, and Erin and Merideth got to cruise around in the snow, it was a fun day. We made it to a Nuggets game, the Denver Zoo, and got to visit with the Murphys and Wells. Welcome to baby Charlie and we can't wait to meet you baby girl Murphy!!

We love CO and miss it even more after we visit, it was a great trip!

Warning: There are A LOT of pictures below!

Tummy time on Wilson's swing set. We live over 2,000 miles away but still get the same swing set!!
Boys and their toys, goggles and shovels.
Shawn left his mark on Samuel...and Wilson.

How we would love to give you hugs more often Wilson!Getting fitted for boots and skis. Merideth wanted to be part of it all too!
Enjoying the sun...all bundled up!
Our little ski bunny!

Merideth was pretty exhausted from our day in the snow, yes she is fast asleep in the sled! We got so many comments on what a lucky girl she was to get a ride like that.

Dads and their kids at the zoo.Merideth and Adam explored together.Gabriella and Samuel sharing a cheesy moment.Our metro dad!

Congrats Troy and Dana! Welcome Charlie!No better way to end the day than in the arms of Rocky!

Sibling Love

Samuel and Merideth have been really sweet toward each other recently. It is very fun to watch/listen to them interact and teach one another about the world. Some examples:

*At breakfast Merideth's fork was taken away due to her using it as a drumstick. Samuel then gave her his fork and ate his syrup laden breakfast with his hands!! (Samuel does not like to be very messy, this was big for him!)

*In the car Merideth tends to want whatever Samuel has and he is very generous in passing the snack to her one by one.

*Merideth really didn't want to say good night tonight and asked for more songs. Samuel started to sing the Squatch theme song to her and calmed her down.

*Whenever Merideth asks for something to drink she always makes sure Samuel gets his as well, even if he does not want it.

*Merideth is very helpful in picking out Samuel's pj's and underwear after their bath. (She tends to dig for the Elmo underwear.)

That is all of the corny sibling stuff I can think of right now. We love these times and try to remember them on days that we are playing the role of referee!

Merideth enjoying a "moothie" (smoothie) on the way to the park.
Exploring a new found park. We are trying to get in ALL of Seattle and it's surrounding areas that we have yet to see just in case of a summer move!

Weekend in Pullman

We spent the weekend in Pullman visiting the Larsons. Kelley and Alison braved the 5 hour drive with us while Jen and Audrey joined us in Ellensburg for a caravan! We had a ton of fun and enjoyed seeing eastern WA.Playing dominoes with Matt, Mike, and Alison. Samuel enjoyed two big boys to play with!Merideth doesn't worry, Kelley always has her back.It was beautiful and sunny, but still pretty cold.

Swinging with Abigail at a park.