Quick Trip and a Little Technicolor

Over spring break we were supposed to go camping. But considering that my normally-reserved youngest brother John was slated to perform as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that weekend, we just had to alter our plans. I mean, John doesn't often sing his heart out in front of hundreds of strangers so we decided to be spontaneous for once and just go. We are so glad we did!


John did an amazing job as Joseph, and has won, I'm sure, many devoted fans. On top of being able to see John's performance, we got to hang out with some of my favorite people.
I got the camera out late, so Heather and her kids aren't even in these pictures :-(



Caleb loved doing archery with John.


My mom showed the kids the neighbor's newborn lambs and chickens.


All the boys loved riding in "Blue."


John and Grandma helped them create and launch their own rockets.


My parents.


Matthew, Adam, Morgan, (Minnie), and Anna Lisa.


Even though our visit was short, it was worth it. After all, the richness of life is made up of brief moments and memories like these.

Stowaway

Today I unknowingly gave a ride to someone whose name begins with Evil.

That's right. Evil Emperor Zurg cruised along on the roof of my van to my friend Patty's house, to the park, and then back home, all without taking a tumble. (The Odyssey is a smooth ride - Respect the Van). I had no idea I was playing taxi to the evil mastermind. I think it was an inside job.

In fact, I'm pretty certain I've identified the mole.

New Slide

We purchased a slide/climber for the backyard (love Craigslist!). It has been a hit.

Renaissance Festival

Two Saturdays ago we spent the day at the Renaissance Festival. It was a lot of fun! People-watching is one of my favorite pastimes when we go to this event, because there are lots of interesting costumes and, well, interesting people to watch.

We enjoy going to some of the shows, our favorites being a juggling act, a whip master called Adam Crack, and of course the jousting. Here are some pictures from our day.

This is the world-record whip master, Adam Crack. Our boys love this guy. Some highlights from his show were precision whip cracking, in which he used the Big Black Whip of Death to snap the heads off flowers held by a volunteer, and then the fire whip, of course.

You can see by Caleb's face that he's riveted.

What would the festival be without the jousting tournament? It's definitely a highlight. Tempers flared during this joust such that the final two contenders challenged each other to a joust to the death (which I'm afraid we didn't stay for).

This is Caleb and Mitch waving from the top of the Dragon Tail Tower slide.

Good times. One of these years I'm going to go in costume to get the full experience.

Adam's Uniform of Cool

For the past month, Adam has worn a cape, a handkerchief tied around his head, and often rubber boots (2 sizes too big) just about every single day. Most of the time he is pretending to be Superman.

Here he has dressed Big One in this uniform of cool (no boots, although if we had them in bear size, you'd better believe Big One would be wearing them...

...even if they were two sizes too big).

Love, by Caleb

Love

Love is like God, my mom, my dad, and my friends.
It is hugging and loving.
It sounds like bells ringing through my heart,

and like my parents saying they love me.
It tastes like my mom's heart cookies.
Love feels good.
Love smells like my mom's perfume.
Love is special because you need it to survive.

by Caleb

I think this afternoon I will bake some heart cookies... with pink frosting and extra sprinkles.

Snips and Snails and Puppy-Dog Tails

That's what little boys are made of.


I should know. You see, Mitch and I specialize in making boys. That's right. I had my ultrasound yesterday and folks, it's a boy!