Spring was filled with excitement! We had a fun Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard with Todd as the "star" -- dressed up as the Easter Bunny. He wore the dalmatian dog costume that has been used as a Halloween costume numerous times in our family. We tweaked it to look like a bunny by adding a bow tie, long ears, and bunny face paint.
Easter Sunday we stopped at the Meadow Springs Golf Course on our way home from church to take some family pictures.
We enjoyed having Mark and Gretchen Child's family over for Easter Sunday dinner.
Todd's 12th Birthday was April 16, 2009.
Our family went to lunch at Famous Dave's Restaurant to celebrate.
That evening, Bishop Chilton came to our home to ordain Todd to the office of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a very special and memorable occasion.
We hiked Badger Mountain several times this spring. Trent made it all the way to the top using his own two feet for the first time! An especially memorable hike was with our friends, the Robertsons, the Christians, and the Spencers. Kimberly Spencer was 9 months pregnant at the time. She was hoping to start labor by hiking to the top of Badger Mountain, but her baby wasn't born for about another week.
Amon Basin Preserve behind our house in early Spring (General Conference weekend)
David climbing a tree
Todd playing with a stick in the water
Tiffani's had a great spring soccer season! Her team had lots of fun practicing in the park behind our house twice each week, and playing games on Saturday. Tiffani enjoyed having her Daddy help coach. He made her laugh when he would kick the soccer ball really high and far at the end of the practices.
Todd's 12th Birthday was April 16, 2009.
Our family went to lunch at Famous Dave's Restaurant to celebrate.
That evening, Bishop Chilton came to our home to ordain Todd to the office of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a very special and memorable occasion.
We hiked Badger Mountain several times this spring. Trent made it all the way to the top using his own two feet for the first time! An especially memorable hike was with our friends, the Robertsons, the Christians, and the Spencers. Kimberly Spencer was 9 months pregnant at the time. She was hoping to start labor by hiking to the top of Badger Mountain, but her baby wasn't born for about another week.
Amon Basin Preserve behind our house in early Spring (General Conference weekend)
David climbing a tree
Todd playing with a stick in the water
Tiffani's had a great spring soccer season! Her team had lots of fun practicing in the park behind our house twice each week, and playing games on Saturday. Tiffani enjoyed having her Daddy help coach. He made her laugh when he would kick the soccer ball really high and far at the end of the practices.I've been running three times a week for several years now, but this spring I started running in the mornings with some friends from our ward. I've increased my pace and distance by quite a bit. David and I also joined the Kia Ora Gym, where we have been going to group fitness classes several times a week.
Todd had a couple band concerts this spring. He is doing so well on the clarinet! Todd and I played a piano/clarinet duet New World Symphony at a recent performance.
Tiffani has been a diligent piano student. She practices every day, and is really progressing quickly through her piano books. She did a great job at the piano performance we recently had at the Richland Gardens Retirement Home.
Todd has had fun in Scouting. He is now a first class Scout. He has been on two campouts this spring.Tyler earned an Eagle Palm at the most recent Court of Honor. He is an amazing Scout! He is also working toward earning his Duty to God award for Priests. I'm proud of him.
Tyler is still working at Dairy Queen. We love DQ! What a great place to eat and to visit Tyler. It's fun to see him hard at work, and to hear reports from our friends that he is doing a good job.
Tyler excelled in track on the 4A Richland High School track team. The District track meet was held in Pasco. Tyler competed in several events, including the 100 meter dash; 400 meter dash; 4 x 400 meter relay, and the 4 x 100 meter relay. 
My parents came to watch Tyler race at the District Track meet. It was so great to have them there!
The Regional Track meet was in Spokane on a Friday and Saturday in May. I drove over and stayed with my brother, Brent, and his family. They came to support Tyler at the meet, which was held at Spokane Falls Community College.
Tiffani and Trent had so much fun playing with their cousins this weekend in Spokane. Trent cried when we left, and he keeps asking when we are going back to visit.
My Dad suprised us by showing up for Tyler's final events on Saturday: the 400 meter dash and the 4 x 400 meter relay. After the track meet, Dad treated us to a yummy dinner at Red Robin and then ice cream at Coldstone.
The kids fell asleep quickly after a long and exciting day at the track.Tyler did well at the Regional Track meet, and made it to the State Track Meet in Tacoma, Washington, where he competed in the 4 x 400 meter relay. It was so exciting to watch him run! We are very proud of Tyler and his accomplishments. He has truly demonstrated commitment, hard work and discipline throughout the season. Even when he was faced with disappointments, he maintained a positive attitude.
Tyler went to the Richland High School Junior Prom in April. This was his first prom, and the first time wearing a tux. He asked Rebekah Fernandez, from the Richland Stake. They went with a group and had dinner in the back yard of one of their high school teachers, who was also their chef.
