Chores

Spring is here and the yard work begins!

Driver's Ed is starting up next month for Tyler. When I was his age, Driver's Ed was a class during school. I actually got credit for this class on my transcript! I believe I paid $25 or $30 for this class. When Ashleigh took it 5 years ago the cost was $200 and it was three nights a week for about a month. It is now $400!!!!! We made Ashleigh pay for half of her class and Tyler has to do the same. It's a little harder to come up with that kind of money when you don't have a job and you spent all of your savings on a drum set!!!

Solution: Mom will pay $5/hr. for work above and beyond normal chores. Doesn't sound like much, but after all, I feed and clothe him and don't charge any rent!!!!

Now, he claims he worked about six hours (he tends to exaggerate) so I keep close tabs on his time. He also pauses a lot during his labors to pet the cat, get a drink, twirl the rake, etc.!!! As you can see, Dad's pile is getting some size to it, Tyler's not so much. He thinks I should award him for creativity and claims it takes a lot more work to do this

than just raking a random pile! What do you think? Should I pay him for the 3 hours ?
He is adorable, that Tyler Man! Only 37 hours to go!!

He's looking over my shoulder and telling me that he did indeed work for 5 0r 6 hours. This included helping me carry stuff to the shop, making me laugh, almost pumping gas, as he loaded the can into the car and a multitude of other things. He just wanted you all to know that and that he's a "stud-muffin"...his words, not mine.

Good Friends

Our friends, Rick and Carol Harrison, came up for a visit last night. Rick and Brian have been friends since they were kids, while Carol and I joined in during the "girlfriend" stage!

Rick is the "cruise director" of the high school buddies, always keeping in touch with everyone, organizing the annual golf game, and Thanksgiving day football game. He and Brian went to Arizona a few weeks ago to see another friend from H.S., they went to the SuperBowl together when Seattle was in it. Lots of good times and lots of good memories!

Last night they went mountain bike riding with our friend Roger Burke and some others. Totally a Rick and Brian thing...totally not mine or Carol's!!! The girls, Ashleigh included, took Carol on a tour of beautiful Lynden! Drove through town, pointed out all of the "hot spots"!!! Then we took a walk on the trail and dropped by Lynda's. After all, our husbands were becoming friends so Carol and Lynda needed that same opportunity!!! Lynda was a gracious host as always, letting us drop in unannounced!!

On our way home we ran into Cindy Louws, wife of our mayor, Jack. We had a lovely visit with her! Her daughter went to SPU, like Ashleigh, and had the same major, so Cindy had all kinds of tips for Ash.

We finally made it back home, had some dinner and more great conversation before they had to leave. Such a fun visit! We are so blessed by the friends we have in our lives!!!

Easter

Ashleigh and Madi reading Madi's "teen" magazines.

Amsa surprising Tyler!

Roger playing the drums to Tyler's fav. music. Tyler plays too, but wanted to hear how the professional does it!!

Keaton:" Yes, of course you can take my picture!"

Tyler: "Don't even think about it!"

Roger and Tyler, some serious topics!

The Spread!!

Phone conversation:

Holly: If I bring the ham, can we have Easter at your house?

Lynda: Um, let me think about that!! I'll get back to you.

Lynda: No!!

Holly: No problem!

Lynda: Okay , yes, we'd love to have you over!!!!

So went the phone conversations between Lynda and I! I always host Easter at my house, usually about 20 people, but didn't feel up to it this year, hence the blatant request for an invitation to Lynda and Roger's! Lynda is the Director of Children's Ministries at Sonlight and Easter weekend is pretty busy for her so I understood her "No" completely!!! After all, I had just invited myself and 3 others!!!! Honesty is a wonderful part of our friendship, so this was no problem!!!

The next day she called back and said we were on, but we both agreed that it was okay if everything fell through at the last minute! And we would only get together for a few hours. We need guidelines after all!!!

Brian, Tyler and I went to church on Sat. night. They were expecting 6000 people for the 5 services and Pastor Grant asked the regulars to come on Sat. night. It was kind of nice!!! It was pouring rain on Sun., we were home and cozy. No Easter egg hunts at my house anymore, so it was very relaxing...for me and Tyler!!! Brian went to the church for a few hours and helped with parking and Ashleigh went to her regular service.

We went to the Burkes at 2:30 and had a great, yummy, wonderful dinner! We always have such a good time with the Burkes. Great friends, great hosts, great conversation!!

Amsa kept us all entertained! She is so joyful and adorable! I got the pleasure of painting her nails, pink, like mine! Tyler had Roger playing the drums for him, to his music! Ashleigh and Madi looked at teen magazines, fun to go back and do that once in awhile! We watched Roger's amazing video that he made about Amsa's adoption from Ethiopia. Keaton and Ty played some X-box and then Keaton fell asleep on the floor with 8 peoples talking all around him! (Sorry Keaton, I couldn't resist!!!)

We had a great time and while we said we'd only stay for 2 hours, we stayed for 3!!! Typical!

Thank you , Burke Family, for a special and memorable Easter!!!

Country Music Awards

Okay, so I just figured out that with my good camera, my pictures post out of order and with my little camera they come as I set them. Why is that?
Anyway... We had a great time in Vegas! We got there around 2:00 and decided to walk the strip before our evening activities. What a skeazy place! Do Not, I repeat, Do Not take your children to this city!! It truly is sin city. Enough said!

The first pic is of myself and Chuck Wicks. His biggest hit is probably "Stealing Cinderella" and he is an amazing singer. He put on an hour concert for us the first night at our dinner. Cozy little venue where we could walk right up to him. We sat 2 tables back from the stage!

If you don't follow country music, but follow Dancing with the Stars, he is Jullianne Hough's partner. She also sings country and got an award for best new female vocalist. Anyway , she came in for part of the show, standing with the rest of us, when he called her up to the stage. No make-up, regular clothes and just a bitty little thing. She was so cute. They are a couple in real life, by the way!

After his concert he stuck around signing autographs, having pics taken and just talking with everyone. He was there for 2-3 hours. Remember, this guy is also rehearsing for D.w.t.S. which airs 2 days later!

Country singers are so awesome! Genuine, down home, humble, sweet, kind and so thankful that they get to do what they do. We had a blast!

Oh, I forgot. When we walked into this event another band was playing, and they called up everyone who knew the Electric Slide to come on up!!! I LOVE the Electric Slide and saddled on up to the front! What fun! Hubby's not much into dancing so I like these one's that I can do by myself! I knew that I was going to have a good time after that song! (Yes, I was thinking of you Auntie M!!!)

More pics and details to come!!!!

Good Night, Ya'll!!!!

More Spring

I work at a little store in town, called the Kitchen Konnection. Only one day a week, but it gets me out and I get to visiswith so many great people from all over the world. It always amazes me how people find out about Lynden and why they chose to come here for a vacation! It's a great place to live and I love it here, but when I think vacation, I think Tropical or East Coast, someplace totally different. I guess that's what Lynden is to them, totally different!!!

It has been so dreary and rainy outside, and yes, a little snowy too, that I thought I'd share a little spring from inside the shop! Bright cheery colors, new Gooseberry cookbooks, and this adorable market bag. Just looking at it makes me want to garden and eat healthier. I think I'm gonna need this one!!!

Hubby and I are off to Las Vegas tomorrow morning. We're going to the Country Music Awards!!

We're semi-excited! Excited to see the performances and awards, but bummed that it isn't in Nashville, where it should be , don't you think? Also, it's very FORMAL. I hate formal. We should be able to wear jeans and cowboy boots. After all, that's often what the stars wear! I guess they want to be able to tell the difference!! Anyway, I'm sure it will be great and who knows, maybe we'll have a beer with Tim and Faith afterwards!!!!!