Farewell Flag Football...For Now

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A shout out to my little "Buddy"!

I just wanted to tell my little brother how incredibly proud I am of him. He just made it through a grueling pilot training program. It took a lot of dedication and commitment. I knew he would make it. Way to go, Jim! We look forward to having your family back home soon.

A day at the Zoo

"Frosted Flakes. They're GRRRRRR-EAT!" Tigers eat Frosted Flakes, right mom?
Double strollers are for wimps. "Hey, Woody, have you seen any real penguins around here?"

The rare bat-eared fox, originates in Arizona but dwells in Idaho.

Caleb in front of the Python. His expression shows his desire to get out of the Rainforest Room a.s.a.p. due to the smell, but he graciously posed for me to take this picture.

Today we decided to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and take a trip to the Zoo. The weekend forecast is for cold temperatures and possible snow by tomorrow night. That seems virtually impossible after spending the better part of the day outside in mid 70 degree weather.

Chloe, Caleb and I enjoyed a nice afternoon strolling around the Boise Zoo. Caleb has been learning fun facts about a variety of animals at pre-school, so it was especially fun for him to see them in person. Did you know that a zebra runs 37 mph? A kangaroo can run 40 mph and jump 10 ft.? When he saw the tiger he wanted to know if that's what tigers look like in "real life", too. I'm not so sure that Chloe actually looked at any of the animals but she had a wonderful time cruising around in the stroller with Caleb. I'm sure glad I didn't waste the money on a double, it's far more fun testing the weight limit and shock system of a single.

We dig it!

The farmer in Larry is alive and well. He has ordered seeds, plants and saplings in anticipation of growing his own mini garden and orchard on our postage stamp size lot. Seeds are germinating in our kitchen in little containers and Larry is treating them with TLC until they are ready to transplant outside.
So, when an invitation came to participate with some neighbors in planting, caring for and harvesting a garden on a neighbor's not so postage stamp sized lot, how could Farmer Larry refuse? This morning he put on his John Deere t-shirt, work gloves and hauled his tools over to the dirt to start digging and planting seeds. The weather was beautiful and made for a fabulous morning.
Caleb pointed out this little bird guarding it's nest of eggs--although, I highly doubt it put those rocks like that. If all of this doesn't say Spring, I don't know what does?

Carter's Track Meet

Carter throws the discus in his first track meet.
Caleb & Corbin anxiously await Carter as he races in the 800 meter.
Go Carter! (He's the racer in yellow).

This school year has been an eventful one for Carter. He ventured out of his comfort zone and found a new love, football. Wanting to improve his skills on the field, he consulted with his coach who suggested he go out for wrestling and then track. He completed the wrestling season and has spent the last couple of weeks practicing track. We have seen a big improvement in Carter's speed and strength and have thoroughly enjoyed watching him participate in athletics. As our blog reflects, his love for sports has been contagious to the rest of our family. This week was his first track meet. He signed up to do the discus, the 800 meter, and at the suggestion of his coach, the 100 meter. It was so exciting watching these events! When he was about to start the 800 meter, Chase kept saying, "I'm so nervous. I'm so nervous." The day before his meet the weather was alternating between hail, rain and black skies. Luckily, on the day of the meet it was sunny and almost warm.

A Nice Visit

Grandpa C and Chloe catching up

At lunch together
Chloe bonds with her Aunt Laura & girl cousins, Kayla & Kami
Chloe with her cousin, Kent

On Saturday afternoon we met up with Grandpa C, Marlene, & Steve's group for lunch in the Church Office Building. We had a nice time visiting with each other before the afternoon session began. Later that night we went to Adam's (Marlene's son) home for an ice cream party. We were able to visit with Laura & Tracy's family there. They made the trip from Virginia! It was very gracious of Adam & his wife, Christine, to host the party and I hope their GIANT luv-sac beanbag survived all of the wrestling boys!

General Conference Weekend

Football with the Cousins

Dinner with Grandpa & Marlene

Conference with Grandpa & Grandma Hawkes

We arrived home from Spring Break in Utah on Monday, spent just enough time at home to do laundry, have a few flag football practices, and headed back Friday morning for General Conference.

Larry's brother, Steve, his sons, Jeff and Justin, and Brian's son, Kent, drove from Washington late Thursday night and stayed with us. Friday, all of the guys had a football game in our neighborhood park and then we caravaned down to SLC. We met up with Grandpa Christensen and Marlene, in town from Guatemala, and enjoyed a late dinner together.

The following morning, Carter, Larry, and G&G Hawkes attended the Saturday morning conference session together.

Our trip was short and sweet. Conference was wonderful, inspiring, uplifting, and rejuvenating. We sustained the new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He is a wonderful man and I know he is called of God.