We enjoyed a low key day today.  Despite the rain, Erin managed to find a few hours to  garden and I grilled out a couple of t-bones this evening.  With the crappy weather, I gave up on trying to get a family portrait so I decided to grab some individual shots of the kids throughout the day and evening. 

Here are several of Cole that I think capture his spirit.

And another few of Ian vegging out in front of the TV.

And finally, Nathan just before bed.

This morning Erin, Cole and I headed over to Nathan’s school for a choir performance followed by a visit to his classroom to check out some of the projects they have been working on this year. 

Not the best seats, but….

Nathan showing off a cactus he built for his project focused on desert regions.

Nathan giving us the power point lecture on desert flora and fauna.

Cole competing for mom’s attention as Nathan shows off his work.

Nathan’s ‘rocket’ art project.  I think his was the only design incorporating solid rocket boosters

Tonight, Erin took Ian to his ball game while I stayed back to watch Nathan and Cole (who are both nursing colds).  I used the opportunity to get some work done in my office and when I emerged to check on them, I found Cole playing XBox with Nathan.  Glad I turned the parental controls on months ago!

This is really the first time in my life that I’ve actually been excited about a politician and the potential for real change.  Here’s a commercial Obama is running in NC and Indiana that deals with the very real issue of energy and gas prices in particular. 

Erin flew to Las Vegas this past weekend to visit with high school friends, so it was just the boys at home.  Saturday was gorgeous with sunny skies and 70 degree weather; perfect for a day a baseball, first Nathan’s game at 9AM followed by Ian’s at 3PM. 

Nathan playing 1st base

Guess this is how they pitch in the t-ball league

Ian taking first base

And to answer the question which I’m sure is on all of your minds; yes, I made it through the weekend just fine ;-)  I even managed to cook a gourmet meal for my mom and sister who was visiting from Vancouver.  Okay, so I caved for lunch and bought them McDonalds, but all in all, I think I did okay

The kids woke us up at 6:30 this morning to point out that it was snowing.  As ready as I am for the warm temperatures to return, the snowfall this morning was beautiful, so I couldn’t resist grabbing the camera and taking a bunch of shots.  

The rain and cold temps are on their way back to the NW, so we thought we’d take advantage of the last of the decent weather and go to Beaver Lake Park with the kids. 

Click on any of the pictures below to view a slide show.

Tubing in the morning at Snoqualmie Pass and by late afternoon, the temps were in the upper 70s, so the kids naturally demanded that we turn on the sprinkler. 

Ian lost his first tooth yesterday.  In true Ian form, he actually lost his lost tooth as well.  He brought it down to show us; I was outside on the hammock enjoying the sun, and we asked him to put it in a box for the tooth fairy.  He decided to put it on a plate instead and bring it back outside to show us.  Somewhere along the way, the tooth fell and it is now officially MIA. 

Here are a few shots of the kids playing outside.

Cole wanted the sprinkler placed inside the teepee. 

If you look closely, you can see Ian’s missing tooth (bottom center of his mouth).

Nathan and Cole looking for bugs.

The weekend so far has been amazing.  Today, temps are in the 70s and there isn’t a cloud in the sky.  We got an early start today and drove to the pass one last time for a little ‘tubing’.  I took some video and will try and upload some of the footage later this weekend. 

Last night, we fired up the green egg and grilled a couple steaks.  While I was at it, I shot a bunch of pictures.  Here’s my favorite of Cole washing his hands for dinner with ‘Cookie Gramma’. 

Click on the picture for a short slide show with some additional shots I grabbed of the boys. 

Here are some shots of Ian at T-ball practice at Cascade Ridge this evening.

It’s still early in the season  

Nathan enjoying the view