Strawberries

Each year we look forward to our annual strawberry picking at the farm. However, for the first time in years the strawberries were smaller and not as pretty or sweet. It took us longer than usual to pick just 3 buckets.



Seth was still our very best flagger





And it was still fun.



Ryan won for biggest and prettiest berry of the morning.



Our 3 buckets(instead of our usual 9-10). I was bummed.



I'm not sure if we have just been spoiled in years past or if the early picking season has anything to do with the smaller-less attractive berries, but I will be trying again in a couple of weeks in hopes of finding bigger-prettier-sweeter berries.



We ate some, froze some, made strawberry shortcake, and dipped some in chocolate. We enjoyed what we had and would LOVE to have some more!

Easter Thoughts

One of my very favorite Hymns - Come Thou Fount



On this Easter weekend my heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the gift of his son. I am thankful for the example of our Savior and that through his atoning sacrifice I know why I am here and where I am going. I know that death is not the end. I know that I will see my sweet brother again. I know I will be reunited with my grandmother. I know that families can be together forever. The plan of salvation is real. Jesus Christ provided a way for all of us to live with him again. I am thankful for this knowledge of truth. It strengthens me and gives me courage daily to endure.

One of my very favorite talks - None Were With Him



Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Color Run

Yesterday we went to Atlanta and ran in the Color Run. It started and ended in Piedmont park, but the race itself was on the streets of Atlanta. We were doused with colored powdery stuff during the 3 mile race. It stuck like paint, and after showering we still have colored stains on various parts of our body. It was also Kaitlyn's birthday weekend, so she had a couple of good friends come and run the race with us. We had a blast!





There were 10,000 runners. At the start they released 1,000 runners at a time every 3-5 minutes. The race started at 9:00am, and our group left at 9:20.



They had chutes set up along the course we would run through, and they would splash color on us. It was hard to breath/see much of anything but color as we ran through the chutes. The purple was the worst. I felt like the colored powder was up to my ankles as I jogged through it.









Ryan wanted in on the color fun



We were all given packets of color, so at the finish line we could open them and toss it into the air creating a mist of color.







Our shoes



Kaitlyn's scar that wouldn't take any color



Our hands



It was a very Colorful and Fun Saturday in the park!

Happy 19th Birthday Kaitlyn

19 reasons why we think you're the best Kaitlyn Ritz daughter in the whole wide world -

1. You're kind - you remind me to be nice.
2. You're funny - in a sassy, quiet kind of way that I love.
3. You're smart - Go Dawgs!





4. You're humble - sweet girl
5. You're a good friend - always my shopping/lunch buddy confidant
6. You're beautiful, inside and out



7. You're patient - even when you don't want to be.
8. You're my running buddy - protecting me from the big, scary dogs.
9. You're a peacemaker - you avoid confrontation/contention.
10. You're talented - I'm continually amazed by your creative talent in the arts.







11. She's easy to get along with - Cody



12. Her sense of humor, good example and strength in the Gospel - Andy



13. Her witty optimism - Dad



14. She can be funny, she helps me, and her scares(they have games of scaring each other) are good - Ryan



15. You're a wonderful house-cleaner-surpriser.
16. You're determination - Straight A's your 1st semester in college.
17. You're testimony - You know who you are and it shows in all you do.
18. Empathy for others - you have an innate ability to understand.
19. We love you for so many reasons, but most of all we love you for just being you!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET KATES!

Pinewood Derby

Ryan had his pinewood derby last week. It's a big deal(more for the dads then the boys - at-least in our house) Ryan was hoping Casey would behave this year(his words). They make, paint, and decorate their own cars. The week before they have a weigh in. The cars can't be over 5.0 ounces.


They combine with a couple other troops and race their cars they've made. Our track had a bit of a bump in one of the lanes. I'm sure they(the dads) will fix that before next year, because it created a bit of a disadvantage to the car in that lane. NOBODY wanted to be in that lane. You can see Ryan's car has been bumped off the lane.



Oh well, it was fun and Ryan got 4th. He was happy.



There were cupcakes and cookies after everyone was done. This was Ryan's last year for racing. He moves up to Webelos in September.



Thanks to Chris for the pictures and the time and effort she puts into each activity. Ryan loves scouts!

Spring has sprung

I really love the spring. It offers a break from indoor activities and the chill that winter brings. It re-energizes my spirit with the smells, beauty, and fresh-warm(non-humid) air. We have many signs of spring popping up all over our yard, and it makes me happy.










The bush Casey thought I killed with my over zealous pruning - nope, still alive - ha!



This week has been unusually warm with temperatures in the 80's. I enjoy the flip-flop weather but don't really enjoy the bugs and pollen that seem to come with it.



While the west coast was covered in snow this week, we were covered in a yellow-green layer of pollen....



Tuesday of this week the pollen count was 9000. I think it might have been a new record. To give you a pollen perspective, this time last year we only made it to 3000 before it went back down to the 50-60 range. It was crazy. It made it very hard to breathe while doing any amount of exercise. Not fun.





Thankfully it doesn't last all summer, and soon we will enjoy the beauty and all of the outdoor activities without the constant sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and stuffy head symptoms.

Head Lice

Ryan: Mom, do I have head lice?
Mom: No
- 30 minutes later-
Ryan: I wish I had head lice
Mom: No you don't
Ryan: yes I do, because then I could miss 2 days of school.

Spoken like a child that has NEVER had head lice and who has never seen a mother with a child who has had head lice!

We received the yearly letter from the school nurse regarding head lice and treatment, so Ryan has decided it is something he would like to experience in exchange for 2 days off from school. One case of head lice would cure that, but I'm hoping for a lice-free childhood for Ryan.

Is your head itching now??