Mostly Owen: WARNING! Sunshine = Naked Kids

Sarah's Thoughts: The amount of sunshine streaming through my window prompts me to dress in short sleeves today. Might be a bit optimistic, yesterday was in the low 50's, but glorious spring sunshine makes us Alaskans act seasonably pre-mature. As I was driving home yesterday, someone was walking their dog in a tank top. I would give my blessings to flip flops, but its not time for sleevelessness just yet although that day may be close at hand. I did kill two mosquitos over the weekend.

Luke Update: With the completion of his Math class, Luke is diving head first into spring and summer. After much pricing, shopping, and debating, he purchased a crab and shrimp pot puller for our boat. This is something we've dreamed about for the past 7 years, so we are excited. He had big plans getting off work (at 3:30) and heading out on the boat for the late afternoon/early evening hours. This week, however, he was unexpectedly transfered to a new electrical shop and is now working 10 hour days, so we'll see what that means for extra-curricular activities. He did squeeze in a fishing trip to Yakutat last week. Despite torrential rain, he caught the biggest steelhead of his life. If you know about fly fishing, that's kind of a big deal.

Owen Update: In Owen's mind, sun = squirt gun and swimming pool. Even on the frigid yet sunny winter days, he was begging to play with his beloved water toys. Somehow, the presence of snow didn't clue him in that swimming might not be the most appropriate choice of activities. As May approaches, the water play might not be too far off. On Sunday, Owen's beloved Gabie came over and they played in the water in our neighbor's muddy ditch, Easter clothes and all. That's about as close to paradise as it gets for an almost-4-year-old! I just might condone some squirt gun action this afternoon... I am wearing short sleeves, after all!

Annabelle Update: Little Annabelle is a rolley-polley giggling bundle of smile and drool. She's trying so hard to be mobile. She strains and grunts to grab objects out of reach. Frustrated, she tries to scoot forward and ends up moving backwards. She's just starting to push up onto all fours for brief periods, so I think crawling is still a little ways off. Poor girl has a lot of heft to support! Although we haven't seen any new teeth, I wouldn't be surprised if she sprouts a whole mouth full at any moment. Her newest accomplishment has been waving. Not sure when or how she learned this skill, but every now and then, she'll just bust out a Miss America wave. Our own Little Miss Sunshine.

And now get ready for 3 weeks worth of pictures:

foreshadowing of things to come?

Owen and Mathias eating lunch in the tent.

Annabelle's first experience in a swing. "Hi Mom!"

Last glimpse of Owen before he disappeared into the tunnel slide at Project Playground. Last year, he refused to try these slides! What a difference a year makes!