Yogurt pops

Our friend, Katie, gave Carrie a set of popsicle forms for her birthday last week. I caught pics of Carrie and Rece working together on their first batch of fruit & yogurt frozen pops today.

Family, Friends and Carrie's Birthday

Just finished a great weekend. Carrie's aunt Toni and uncle Bo from Washington stayed with us for a couple of days last week. They were here for Carrie's birthday party and gave us both a great lesson on the golf course. Then our wonderful friend, Tiffany, came down from South Dakota to spend the weekend. Other than a brief visit to the basement for a tornado warning, it was a tremendous weekend. We are blessed with wonderful people in our lives.

Brew to Brew in KC - great weekend

Carrie and I went with a some of our great friends to Kansas City for the Brew to Brew race. The 10 leg relay goes from a brewery in KC to one in Lawrence, KS. I volunteered to watch the kids so that everyone else could run. Carrie took the challenge and ran one of the legs. I did not. We decided to do this race way before I decided to get back in shape; so while I felt a bit guilty for not running, I had a great time with Rece and our neighbor's daughter, Alece. Granted it was 90 degrees on April 1 and the hotel A/C went out, so I had to think of someplace to take two grumpy toddlers...where else but Costco! I did catch up with the rest of the crew to make it look like we endured the heat and wind with everyone else.

How about a bike trailer?

The warm spring has inspired Carrie and me to get outside more. We like to ride bikes but didn't go at all last year, so we decided we should try a bike trailer for Rece so that we could all go together. We weren't sure if he would like it or not. After the trial run - a quick 10 minute ride in which Rece sat in silence the whole time - we parked the trailer in the garage, unloaded Rece and put our bikes away. Carrie and I went in to get a drink of water and realized Rece wasn't in the house. He had returned to the garage...waiting for trip #2. Awesome.

Crazy warm March weather

We had some really warm days in March - a week in the 80's. It was perfect weather to get Rece outside with one of his favorite toys - the mail cart.

Spring flowers

I'm a big fan of spring bulbs. The planning and patience pays off big time. Love spring color - especially the crocus that sneak up in the middle of the yard!

Reset!

So...three posts in and then a six week hiatus. Not exactly how you win awards for blogging. There are lots of good reasons, but in the end, I just didn't make time. So, I'm going to post some pics form the past month to catch up. In all fairness, Carrie and I have been working out like crazy and losing weight as part of our local YMCA Biggest Loser-type challenge. It's taken a ton of time and effort but it's well worth it.
Seth

North Shore Trail

Last week we took a quick trip to Washington state. We went to Bellingham for a couple of days to see the family. As part of our renewed effort to get inshape, we even went on a couple runs together. On this one, we took the North Shore Trail by Lake Watcom. Rece was a trooper bundled up in his stroller.

Rece ready for the North Shore Trail

About a mile into the trail there is a this beautiful waterfall. We had to stop and take a picutre. It's amazing how much easier it is to run when you have beautiful scenery!

Happy runners!

First dentist visit

A couple days ago I took Rece to his first dentist visit. I didn't know kids as young as Rece should go but our pediatrician recommended that we do. I was nervous. As a kid I had a lot of cavities and hated going to the dentist. It was always a trip filled with anxiety and disappointment. The only bright side (if you call it that) was that the dentist in the small town we went to was pretty loose on the happy gas - so I went under for almost any procedure. But that's way off topic here. Ever since Rece has had teeth Carrie has been consistent in making sure we brush them every night. It's made for some interesting and tear-filled moments during bath time, but I stick to it hoping that it'll develop habits that will pay off big time in the long run.

And, our visit confirmed that our effort is paying off - Rece's teeth are plaque free and look great. The hygienist and dentist were great and it's a very cool office for kids; I think he'll love it as he gets older (especially if he keeps up the excellent oral health.)

Seth and Rece at his first dentist visit. He had that concerned look the whole time.

The last 14 months with Rece have really made me consider how much of success comes from daily effort - getting into good habits that keep adding up day after day. I get a bit impatient at time and wants things to change now, to get better now, but just like Rece's healthy teeth, you got do the hard work day after day. Trying to be a good dad is making me be a better person. (And, yes, I am taking much better care of my own teeth!)

A homemade Valentine's Day gift

This year Carrie suggested we make homemade gifts to exchange for Valentine's Day. I loved the idea but was nervous the moment she suggested it. What to make? Carrie is crafty and has a great eye for design. Me? I get interested in something (I'm sure I'll post about my patio cushions at some point in the future) and then I lose interest. So. I'm not really skilled in anything. Except...I write. A lot. I used to love creative and expository writing. Now most of that energy goes into writing for our business - proposals, agreements, correspondence and narrative for courses and trainings we design.

So, the idea occurred to me: what if my gift was to help write and capture the stories and memories of our adventure together as two people deeply in love with one another raising a family, working together, growing our faith, and enjoying some of the best neighbors on the planet? That meets the criteria of homemade, right? I think so (but, I'm also planning on building a headboard for our bed as a back-up, too - pics of that to come soon, I hope.) So with that, here is the first of thousands of entries. No better way to start than with a picture of our son Rece who made his own homemade Valentines this year. Happy Valentine's Day to all - may all of our friends and family know how much we love you.
- Seth

Rece painting hearts for his Valentine's Day cards