Spring and gardening

The garden is growing! We spend most of our days gardening. It's interesting to see what's popping up in the front flower beds and I'm trying to grow vegetables and fruit in the back. We'll be lucky if anything is edible. :) Erik is getting plenty of sunshine and can't make enough mud.

Easter

We had a great Easter! We went to celebrated the return of Jesus, had an easter egg hunt, ate a lot of chocolate, and hung out with friends. Erik liked dying eggs, and even ate one of the hardboiled eggs! He also enjoyed going on an egg hunt in the backyard. The flower is just for fun. :)

The yard

The front yard is beginning to bloom. It will be a surprise as to what comes up since we don't know what was planted. So far, so good. :)

My little chef

A day doesn't go by without Erik asking me if he can help me cook. He likes to measure, stir, and break eggs. I think he just likes to sit on the countertop. And yes, he can climb up and down all by himself.

Gymnastics

We started Erik in gymnastics and he loves it! Who wouldn't love swinging from bars, dropping into foam pits, jumping on trampolines, and jumping in bouncy houses? Should I be concerned that he shows no fear and can go across a balance beam all by himself? The instructor even took him to the owner today and told her that he's destined for the boy's team. Well, we all knew basketball wouldn't be his sport, so Yeah Gymnastics!

Husband must love me an awful lot because he bought me my dream car. :) My Mini Cooper Clubman drives like a go-cart, has a trunk that can actually fit groceries, and enough head room that I can stand up in the back seat to buckle up Erik. I dream about driving it. Erik cries when we have to take to truck. He always wants to drive "mommy's small city red car". :) Thanks husband. You're the best husband ever.

Church, Jesus, and song

For those who care- we found God. God is good. We go to church. We like it. Erik likes it. He also likes to sing. He likes to sing about Jesus. We like it. Here you go!

So, I know, I'm a slacker. It has taken forever to upload some of the house pictures. :) Bear with us- I will give you an idea of what we have been up to for the last couple of months. We remodeled the kitchen and added a half bath to the house. TJ is ever so handy, and I have even pitched in some. TJ learned how to run plumbing and gas lines, move heater ducts, make walls, make doorways, cut tile, install cabinets, and set doors. While he was busy doing that, I learned how to tile and grout. With a little paint, we have somewhat finished. There are still some finishing touches, but we thought you might want to see our progress.

The House!

So, after a successful week of house hunting in the United States, this is the house we picked. TJ was sold on the 2 car garage and I was sold on the built-in bookcases. We hope you can come visit!

Happy Birthday!

For my birthday, we had my Kodaira (Japanese military English school) students over for a graduation/birthday party. We had a great time having a cookout at our house. TJ even made me a cake. :) It was oishii- even if it was a little upside down. After the BBQ, we took the guys bowling and Erik showed them his favorite game, Foosball. It was a great day and 34 is a great age!