Let the Games Begin

 So, I missed last week. I didn't actually forget or have any reason not to write, but it was a pretty uneventful week with no pictures or anything note worthy to share. So, for the first time on the 15 years I have been writing the blog, I just chose not to write. I guess we will call it a vacation. 

In any case, I'm back today. We had a week full of sports, like so many weeks before. Elsie had her first (and second) softball game of the season. Poor Elsie has not really been able to practice batting or catching in practice thus far this season because of her arm so she is at a bit of a disadvantage, but she is doing great. She'll get there and in the meantime, she is having a blast with her friends.

Carrigan had a track meet. She has mostly been focusing on javelin this year and is enjoying her experience. She injured her shoulder a couple weeks back, but seems to be feeling better now.

Merrick had a very busy week. He had lifeguard certification class which he will need for his job this summer lifeguarding at our neighborhood pool. He also had his first games with his new spring team, Willamette Select. He didn't feel like he played his best going straight from hard work in the pool to the games, but he pushed through. It doesn't help when you are guarding someone who weighs 100lbs more than you.

There is one thing I can say about my kids, they like to keep us busy. 

Run, Jump, Go

It's been yet another super busy week. Elsie had softball practice and a birthday party to attend. She has been such a trooper about going to practice even with her brace. She has one good arm to throw, but saying catching has been difficult is a definite understatement. She also hasn't been able to bat at all. She is now done with the brace, but we may or may not try batting this week.

Carrigan continued with track practice most days after school and she had her first track meet of the season. It was very clear that she was too nervous to fully commit on long jump, but she had a great showing in javelin. I was impressed with how far she was able to throw.

This week, Merrick started prepping for his upcoming lifeguard certification. Prior to the training, he had to pass a pretty difficult prerequisite test so Jeremy took him to the pool to practice this week. He was able to pass that yesterday. He also had 6 plus hours of online training videos to watch prior. He is diligently working away on those.

As for Jeremy and I, we had a whirlwind weekend. We left early yesterday morning for Salt Lake. We arrived around lunch time. We had lunch and after a quick power nap, we headed downtown. We walked around temple square and the downtown area, got dinner and super yummy ice cream, and then walked to a concert venue to see The Format on their reunion tour. We had such a blast, but walked, stood, and jumped around so much that we could hardly move by the end of the night. Combine that with walking through 3 airports and let's just say my watch said I earned at new exercise PR for the day.

This morning, bright and early we flew home. It has been an exhausting but fun week and weekend. While I feel physically tired, the getaway was just the emotional recharge I needed.  

Easter 2026

We are a day late, but hopefully not a dollar short. Yesterday was Easter. Not only was it Easter, but it was also General Conference Sunday. 

We started the morning with Easter baskets before Conference. As usual, the Easter Bunny spoiled us with way too much candy. Merrick also got some new fishing lures and the girls got fidget rings. 

Shortly after we finished with baskets, it was time for Conference. We had Easter breakfast while watching. It was such a nice, relaxing day spent with the fam, listening to messages from Apostles and Prophets.

After Conference, we went to family dinner at my parents. The Browns weren't there as they are currently in process of taking Quincy to the MTC, but we still had a nice dinner with the rest of the family. Elsie also got extra mileage out of the cruise ducks by doing an Easter egg hunt with eggs filled with ducks.

It was a more low key Easter than usual, but a great day, filled with family time and messages about Christ.