Griffin's Bday- Jamestown Easter Egg Hunt

On Griffin's birthday, we went to Jamestown historic railroad 1897. They were having their annual easter egg hunt and Griffin really wanted to ride the train and see a real functioning roundhouse. He was not disappointed and the weather was wonderful. Griffin participated in his first public egg hunt and he was so excited when he picked up his first egg that he stopped and celebrated, but Bryce more than made up for his little brother and spontaneously offered to share some of his eggs after they were done with the hunt.

We all applauded as the easter bunny came in on the No.2 engine.

Here it comes!

I've got my very own ticket to ride!

We sat in an open air car, so we had a good view of all the scenery on our ride.

How many eggs did you get? Oh, let me share some with you.

Let's go see the roundhouse.

I got some good eggs and the chocolate does taste good.

Lightening McQueen and I got some good eggs and candy too.

I got stuck with the pink basket, but my brothers couldn't make fun of it or else it was theirs, I'm in the market for a new one next year...

The start of the egg hunt, Griffin is just enjoying the scenery while Bryce is fast at work.

First Regular Season A's Game

We went to our first MLB game of the year on Wednesday afternoon the 20th when the Athletics took on the Boston Redsox. We had bought our tickets in advance and realized that there was a chance of showers that day according to the weather. Well, a chance became a reality as we opened the door to the car to a downpour in the parking lot. But the rain subsided and then came back with a vengence a few times during the game. Fortunately the game was never stopped and we were prepared with umbrellas. We were joined at the ballgame by Brett's longtime friend James and his daughter Vivienne (her first game)! Brett missed a good majority of the game running the boys to and from the concessions/gift shop/bathroom, but we all had a good time. Byrce really wanted a yellow A's jersey in his size, since yellow is his favorite color, but unfortunately they aren't producing yellow kids attire this year.



Daddy told us stories how he used to sit in the seats covered by those tarps.

We're just trying to stay dry here, umbrellas up!

Daddy called these the nosebleed seats, but our noses didn't bleed?

Daddy and his friend James with all of us kids. Yes, it stopped raining for the picture, but there is this huge puddle that Bryce really wanted to splash in right in front of us...

I think Vivienne had a good time at the game with her daddy, James.

School April

April saw the end of Classical Conversations for the boys, and the enjoyment of a much deserved spring break. The kids enjoyed doing more geography this month and taking quizzes on their knowledge on-line. We did some more Venn Diagrams on Fridays with Daddy as is our tradition, this time featuring legos and a variety of toys that had been previously strewn across the livingroom floor. Bryce is trying to read more and Griffin is learning his letters and seems to want to read some words too...We will see. The learning continues.





Thumbs up, Mommy, you found another great YouTube video on one of our subjects we were studying.





Daddy finally convinced me to take apart some of my huge lego creations so we could build some more fun ones, so everyone got in on the building pandemonium.

Another successful Venn Diagram...we really need another hoop instead of using a blanket for the third circle, but it'll do for now.

Bulldogs TBall

Garrett and Bryce are playing ball together this year on the Bulldogs. Bryce was so excited to put the uniform on the first time and then realized that he actually got to play in games too instead of just watching his big brother. Garrett seems like the old veteran on the team. He routinely is hitting the ball on the line or hard on the ground to the right side and often his hits find their way into the outfield. He loves to play first base for the action or anywhere in the infield that he might get some action and be able to make some throws to first. Garrett also has this routine before he hits the ball where he "winds up" and twirls the bat a few times before hitting it, one of his teammates has tried to imitate it without much success. Bryce has great energy to start the games out and often is running from his position to wherever the ball is hit and backing up the play and then chasing the throw to first base to see if he can beat it there. But, because of his high octane energy expenditure in the first inning or two, he is usually lying on the ground staring at the grass or sky or daisies by the end of the game. He will learn to hold back a little in the first inning in the future so he can make it to the end of the game. Bryce's favorite position to play is shortstop, but if he is not getting action there he has been known to creep up in front of the pitchers mound and taunt a batter into drilling it right to him...no facial damage yet with this approach. Griffin watches and expects to get his turn to bat any game now...he has been known to sneak up into the batting order and grab a bat and "wait" in line. What he doesn't know is that he has two more years to wait. I don't want to be the one to break the news to him.



Bryce, we get to be teammates this year!




I (Bryce) am the right-handed batter among my brothers.

I (Garrett) just got back from the bathroom, so I kinda forgot to tuck in my jersey, but I'm ready to run the bases after my hit.

Is this what you meant by widening my stance?

Bryce, you're not going to get any balls if you're sitting in the grass, come on ready position!

Alright, Garrett, is this a good ready position? I'm feeling a little short between you and Matthew.

I (Garrett) just fielded a grounder and made the throw to first.

Daddy, I just scored a run, give me five!

I'm practicing my swing without the possibility of hurting anyone.

I'm tired Daddy, I don't wanna run the bases, can you carry me?

Alright, I will run the bases...

I'm starting my swing, watch it fly.

Can I sneak up to bat sometime?

Oh, knees slightly bent, what else?

I'm working on my balancing act with my glove.


I got to play on the same team as my friend, Noah, too.

We've made some new friends with some old friends on our team this year: Mark, Brianna, Porter, Matthew, Noah, Trevor, AJ, Cody, Jovani, Isabella, Kayla, Joshua, and Alex.

Brett and Joy's 10th Anniversary Party

We celebrated our 10th anniversary by throwing a party. We booked a party room at Appetez, hired a DJ, and enjoyed a night of fine dining, dancing, and tributes. We showed a highlight video of our wedding which included the sermon that started out with the unexpected title: "Marriage is a lot like baseball." Still to this day, nobody believes that Brett had any foreknowledge of the title of the sermon. We loved sharing some of our fond memories from 10 years ago that started us on the road to the family of five we are today. We rededicated our vows to one another and gave a speech about what we appreciate most about each other. We enjoyed another first dance, this time to Tim McGraw's "My Best Friend." Joy made another marvelous cake that we cut and then enjoyed (this time Brett didn't drop any pieces down Joy's dress). We gave a tribute to both of our sets of parents and their role in our marriage. Then we danced the night away. We were privileged to have Brett's sister take pictures for our party and she did a spectacular job as you can see below. Thanks to everyone who has supported us during the last ten years of marriage!



Daffodils, aluminum/tin are traditional gifts for the 1oth anniversary so we had these at each table.



Can't believe it has already been 10 years!

Here's where the party is: Appetez!

Brett presented Joy with a new ring to commemorate 10 years.

Our first dance to "My Best Friend."

Havin' a little fun dancing together.

Joy gave a tribute to Brett's parents and afterward Brett gave a tribute to Joy's parents.

Joy recreation of our wedding cake miniature version with our original claymation figures of us on top.

Cutting the cake together.

Joy nicely feeds Brett some cake. Mmmm, good.

Another "first kiss."

The whole party, all 31 of us.

April 2011

April was a month of celebrations. We started the month off with a celebration of 10 years of marriage, and enjoyed celebrating Jesus resurrection and the Easter festivities. This month we also started tball games, saw our first MLB game of the year, celebrated Joy's and Griffin's birthdays, and rode the rails in Jamestown. We have a wide variety of facial expressions this month, so check out the collection.