Updates...

There once was a horse who was afraid to cross the dirt road when covered by mud. So...

Nah! No joke here... but I am tired of the rain and cool weather we've been experiencing here lately :) Last week I sat through one of Dalton's track meets with two layers of clothes on, a heavy jacket and a fluffy fleece blanket. It seemed more fitting for the setting of an October football game than a Spring track meet!

Latest in our Family News:

Well, the kids were as Emma said "oober excited" to celebrate Tony's birthday with him yesterday. Though his present was delayed by UPS, we had an enjoyable evening... complete with Bethanie's hand-picked Scooby-Doo birthday cake! (It's an inside joke centered around Tony's ability to imitate the voice).

Last week was Emmalie's first school music concert. It was so much fun to watch the kids. For Kindergarteners, they did an absolutely wonder job singing. And the overall program was probably the best I've seen for Kindergarten... though it's close with Dalton's rendition of the song "Guacamole" at that age :)

And Dalton has received a sneak peak at his state assessment tests for school. The letters should be out soon, but initial report back is that he scored Exemplary on every level! Oh, I love having a good school system for the kids to attend... the teachers are all excellent.

That's it for new news... as we've been busy and will continue to stay that way, for sure! We have a May full of baseball tournaments, school field days... and then, (insert sob! here) we will close out May with an 8th grade graduation breakfast and awards ceremony for Dalton.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter... and will end this post with some images from our wonderful life!

Bethanie tries to sneak a confetti egg!

Kalix hunts for some eggs...

...And is ecstatic about finding them, too!

Dalton ready to get the runner out at first
(see the ball?!)

Ready for High School?
We still remember Dalton as our baby boy!

Saving the best for last... since it fits so well with the rainy day theme we've had here...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Walk This Way...

Anthony Robbins once said that life is a gift that "offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back", thus becoming more. These are words that hold true to the values that have been passed down to our family from those before us. We are a family of givers who appreciate the many blessings of life... from the oldest to the youngest.

Why is this important? Well, five years ago when Emmalie was born prematurely with some medical difficulties, Tony and I learned first-hand about the gift of research and advancements in neonatal medicine. From that time on, our family has chosen to give back or participate in every great cause that has (or will) effect us. This year marked the fifth year of our involvement in the March of Dimes annual "March for Babies" event. What started out participating in fundraising and walking years ago as a family team, then part of a corporate team for work the past three years. But our overall involvement has progressed to my volunteer work with the organization on their local March for Babies walk planning committee. This year marked not only our fifth year of participation... but also marked the first year that Emmalie walked the ENTIRE walk (over 2 miles). We are so proud of her, and thankful for the assistance in the NICU/NSCU that helped in her first days of life. What a blessing :)

So... without further delay, I'll share some photos of our wonderful day for walking!

The sticker says it all...
Emmalie did it! She finished her walk!

All the Pretty Flowers

"But I tell you that even Solomon, with all his riches, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers."

- Matthew 6:29

Tony took this photo at Botanica last weekend. How much more wonderful is a world with such color and beauty? Think about it... flowers are used to make people smile, as part of a variety of traditions, to show love and admiration, and to say farewell to those we have lost. And right now, it is a symbol of the fact that Spring is in full bloom... FINALLY!

Of course, what would a post be without a glimpse of the other objects of Tony's camera focus...?!

Little Miss Emmalie- always posing pretty!

Little Miss Bethanie- always contemplating something!

Books, Gardens and Sunshine!

Butterflies are self propelled flowers.
R.H. Heinlein

Oh... such a beautiful weekend we are having! We were outside for daylight hours last night, and have been back at it since the girls' gymnastics classes early this morning. And we are absolutely loving it :-)

We even found time to take a trip to Botanica so we could get some yard transformation ideas. They have a gorgeous set of garden areas there. AND... for those of you with kids... they are in the process of building a special new Children's Garden (which, from the sounds of their plans, should be a very worthwhile thing to experience). It's amazing how much of difference nearly nine years can make, yet how some things have also never changed! Like the special walking path to overlook the pond area... A favorite of ours!

Chinese Proverb says... "A book is like a garden carried in a pocket." Over the course of the past year, I have written two children's books to have illustrated and published. We are using a Christian Book publishing company and I'm so excited since both of these books are part of a group of books... starring two sisters (which there is no bigger bond between... trust me!). I have two wonderful sisters, and watching the girls grow up together sparked my literary efforts to express the tales only sisters can truly share. Book writing, especially for children, is definitely different than writing the poetry I've had published in the past. But if Jay Leno can do it... RIGHT?! Now... if Tony can just find time to get all of the illustrations done! YES... this is a true husband and wife effort ;)

Well, I have to cut this post off. We have more outdoor fun awaiting us before dinner! Happy weekend all...