Easter 2011 weekend

This was a first sunny weekend in a while and we so enjoyed it!  But by Sunday, it was mostly cloudy, with the predictions of rain/clouds for the rest of the week...

On Thursday Larissa participated in the schools' Talent Show.  We got there at 6pm for the 6:30pm show and got the best seats in the house.  Just as we settled in, I realized that my new camera was missing a memory card!  Good thing we are only 5 minutes from home.  I had to forfeit my great parking spot for the sake of taking pictures.

Larissa performed in a group dance first.  Then, she sang with the school's choir.  She requested that we would videotape the whole concert, so that she could see it too.  Wouldn't you know it, just as her choir group came on stage, my video camera run out of memory!  If it's not one thing, it's another.
Meanwhile, I was trying to get familiar with my new camera's functionality (in the dark).  Probably something I should have done ahead, huh?..

On Friday we were going to go to another Liberty lacrosse game, but it was such a long week, that neither Tim or I had the energy to sit through another game.  Plus, weather was actually so nice that we just wanted to "chill out" at home. 
We decided to try a new restaurant take out for dinner.  There is a small Vietnamese house we often drive past.  Sadly, we got there right at 7pm, which happens to be their closing time (Ok, what eating place closes at 7 on a Friday?..), so after much consideration, we got Ceaser's Pizza instead.  So much for trying something new!

Saturday turned out just perfect!  Sunny, warm.  Gabe played his first game where he wore shorts and was comfortable.  He is not the greatest player, but it seems a little unfair that his coach gives him so little chance to try.  Seems like he got the "good" players on the field for most of the game, and when he knows that our score is far ahead where we won't lose, he lets the "second class" players get on the field too.

After the game kids enjoyed spending time with their friends, playing games.  Meanwhile, Tim, Larissa and I went to the Adidas Employee store to use our 50% Intel discount.  I got myself some new running shoes and a backpack at an unbeatable discount.  Larissa got shoes and a hoodie too.

Found a used child size Wave Stick on Craigslist (more of Jon's size), bought it, and kids enjoyed learning a new skill:

It took Gabe no time getting a hang of it.  Jon will take a little longer.

Sunday started off sunny, but then it drizzled on and off all afternoon.  I managed to do some yard work, and made Larissa help me.  She wasn't too happy about it, but got over it pretty fast.

Funny thing. 
We did an Easter Egg Hunt at the house.  I placed eggs (filled with prizes and candies) all over the first floor.  What I didn't realize it that I had some cookie ingredients set out too.  Without thinking, Jon grabbed a raw egg off the counter, believing he found a hidden one.  Two seconds later he figure out his mistake and put it back on the counter, but didn't make sure it was secured.  Of course, it rolled off the counter and broke!  I am just glad he didn't place it in his bag with the rest of the plastic eggs!

Fun weekend!

April 16th

Even though it's already mid-April, the temperatures are staying low.  This whole week was mostly rainy.
On Thursday Intel provided us with four free tickets to the very first Timbers home game.  Tim was very excited to go and agreed to take three kids with him, but then it didn't look so appealing the night of the game.  It poured down pretty much all day and only got worse when they got to the game.  Their section was not under any covers either.  All the seats were wet, so no one would sit down. Everyone stood up the entire game.
Tim made a wise decision and left shortly before the end of the game.  With 19,000 fans there, many drinking, and most heading to the MAX station after the game, he would've regretted staying any longer.
BTW, Timbers won!

On Friday Larissa had a science fair at school.  Her project didn't win any major recognition, but that doesn't matter.  The only issue I had was that some kids clearly had their parents make the presentation for them!  Larissa was given the project to work on and the materials to use, whereas some kids had projects off the list and some elabarate supplies.  Oh, well, I wonder who will actually learn from the experiments... Kids or their parents (who did it for them)?

On Saturday, another run, lacrosse game, kids playing outside...
Gabe had a birthday to go to, Tim committed to trying another recipe for making Russian Borscht, the rest just enjoyed the evening and caught up on some TV shows.
Oh, yeah, soup was great.  Even Gabe who eats practically nothing, complimented the chef.

On Sunday we all headed to the Hillsboro Mail library to get some books and to feed the ducks. 

Larissa got all dressed up, planning on joining her friend at a church later in the day.  A pretty dress, hair is curled, white stockings...  Well, that didn't last long.  Twenty minutes into hanging out by the pond, she wiped out.  Knees skinned, wrist and chin scratched, stockings ripped... That's Riss for you.

To finish the weekend, Larissa and I volunteered at the Pass-it-On sale to benefit Eastwood PTA. Four hours of sorting old clothes is about all I can take in one sitting!

April 9th weekend

Another Saturday run for Tim and Miranda, another Saturday lacrosse game for Gabe.

I like that most of the upcoming games are scheduled right down a street from us, only about a 5 min drive.

This year Gabe has a pretty strong team. And, again, they won the Saturday game by a large margin.  Gabe is getting better about trying to get in the middle of a fight for the ball too.

I finally got a chance to work on the fleece blankets.  Had the fabric for a while...  Larissa was more then happy to help.  End result = three more warm blankets.

On Sunday I had to go pick up a cord keeper, which I ordered a while back and intend to use for Larissa's Insulin Pump's tubing, so Larissa and I decided to make a lunch date out of it.  We stopped by a Vietnamese noodle place, Pho Tango.  I ordered a chef's special and Larissa got chicken with rice.  Her meal looked delish.  Mine was a bit much to handle, for me.  I kept thinking back to all the episodes of Bizarre Food show...

Other than expected cuts of meat I had some jello like pieces and some "bumpy noodle" looking parts.  I tried most of it, but could not get myself to try the jello meat...

This Spring had been unseasonably cold and I can not wait till it actually gets warm and sunny!  I am SO ready for the Summer and my vacation!

Oh, and if you were ever curious of what a teenager girl's closet looks like, here is a pick. And yes, there are plenty of shelves and hangers...

April 2nd weekend

Our April started off with a first Lacrosse (HALO) game on Saturday.

It was probably the worst conditions for any outdoor sports, but the game must go on!
They played two games.  First game started with cold temps, wind and a pouring down rain!

After lunch he had a second game, and by that time it got much better.  The sun was out, and it stopped raining.

Gabe has a really strong team this year.  He is still the shortest kid on the team, and not the fastest one either, but he sure tries!  This was just a practice game, so there was no official score keeping, but I am certain, our team bet the opponent by a very large margin (both games)!