::work trip::

In April Kris and I took the whole staff to a training in Phoenix, AZ. It was quite the adventure to drive 16 people across a couple of states. We had a big old 15 passenger van and our SUV.
I think everybody had a really good time, we did take them out to some yummy restaurants. We all learned a lot too.

Here's the whole group without me. Like the cool coordinating t-shirts?
The crew in class:

A couple of other groups there were very envious of our awesome shirts. I think they felt shown up.

Us at breakfast, complete with photobomb by Ivan.
And finally, the whole group with me this time.
We're going back again in July. It's only supposed to be about 110 degrees. Yikes....

::he picked his own outfit::

This is from back in Jan. Pretty stylin'.


I like how Sandy sidles in. And his side curls.

Max cracks me up. I can't remember if this outfit was PJs or daytime, either way, impressive.

::spring break san diego::

Over Max's spring break (a month ago!!) we escaped for just a couple of nights to a condo on in Mission Beach. It was really nice to break away for a bit and spend time together.
I brought my big camera and didn't take a shot but with my phone--classic. But sometimes you just have to live in the moments and not be worrying about cameras, right?

Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. The boys had a lot of fun running around the "new house."

San Diego has such fun flora! Just all sorts of weird plants. This blossom is from a tree in the little tiny yard of the condo. Or else from a Dr Suess book.

We just love the beach. Although I got sand in every crevice from Mr Sandy throwing it on me over and over. He thought it was funny and just couldn't get why I was so annoyed.


The water was freezing cold but of course Max couldn't stay away from it. I had to drag him out when we finally left.


And on the way home--little Sandy with his adorable little plane. It was empty enough that we got two rows and each of us had a boy to manage. It was nice. I'm really glad we went.

::::

Cute.

::april by phone photos::

Hot tub:

We not only got one, but we had to install a little cement pad for it to sit on and move some trees around. It's very fun to sit out there in the quiet dark and look at the stars.
Poor Sandy was really sick in the middle of the month, some sort of stomach bug. He threw up and threw up and it lasted several days. He even threw up in the produce section of Albertsons--buckets.

On the way back from the doctor's office.

Not enjoying my attempts to cheer him up by playing cars with him.


"Pick me up! I can't walk, my nummy huwts."

Making cookies when he finally felt a little better. (only a little at this point as you can tell.)

And last but not least, Max with tissues in his ears to block out the crying at dinner. He's holding cauliflower in his hand. His facial expression I take no responsibility for.

::::

Sultan got brushed (thanks to Kris). And this is what happened:


It was like a whole other dog there on the ground. Ewww. Maybe now I won't have little hairball dogs all over my carpet, at least for a while.

::pinewood derby::

OK here are some pictures for you from the derby itself. We were just lucky to be in town when it happened, and we were lucky Kris worked his tushy off to get the car done in time.

Max with box of supplies. He was very excited and nervous.

Chocolate covered Sandy.

The competition.

Sandy with his own special car and also a special friend.

These things always last WAY too long.

You can see Max's nerves in his face. It was funny to me that he got so nervous! His car did great, winning any race when it wasn't placed on the lane with the big bump in the middle.


Recoating the wheels for speed!

Sandy was absolutely fascinated. He just wanted to get in there and put cars on the track. Desperately.

I think this was about the last run--hallelujah!

Ta Da! Max won the award for being the fastest in the Bear den. He was also fourth over all. He was PROUD of himself and told his Grandma later that he "pretty much won the whole thing." Pretty funny.

::pinewood derby prep::

Kris helped Max make a plan which included car shape and color, and then he and Max spent some long hours in the garage putting it all together.


Kris had to even put some long hours in all by himself getting things rolling along.


Personally my favorite part is the safety glasses. Finished product:

Pretty nice, huh?

::three trees::

We're fixing up the front yard a bit right now. Our landscaper came to put in three new pine trees the other day and luckily the boys and I happened to be home. Max watched a lot and even got to help install the small one in the very front planter. He was quite proud of himself. I love how we have so much more green in front now. I was a little skeptical of putting in desert pines, but I'm very happy with them now that they're in!