Personally, I think I would give the elephant the right of way.

Ben and Coopers weekend with Gramma and Papa (and cousins)

The best thing about Mom's new job is the flying privileges.  When she needed a sitter for the boys, it is just a couple of flights to get to Gramma's house.  Since they had to fly unaccompanied, their dad had to fly with them from Bethel to Anchorage. They were able to fly from Anchorage to Seattle and Papa picked them up at the airport. We had a great weekend and saw most of the cousins.  Sadly, I did not get all of the pictures I wanted to.  I headed out with my camera once on Saturday to catch some of the action with Gae cousins but was distracted and did not get back out.  They will be back for a longer visit in June, hopefully, and we will get to spend more cousin time together and get more pictures.  Cooper was so anxious to go to the beach, but I told him we would save it for a warmer summer day.  Just because it was warm to this little Alaskan, we down here just did not think it was warm enough for a dip in the lake!

The shoes came off and stayed off until it was time to put them back on and head to the airport.
If Coop did not have to wear them, than neither did Olivia.

They could hardly wait until

They could head off to Brystan's house 

Bry lives just two blocks from Gramma

This is a rock pile in the common area of our neighborhood.
Olivia is not allowed down there alone.   She was so happy to have a cousin here and have her reigns lengthened a  little.

Ben making a few dollars mowing the lawn for Papa

Mom was in training most of the week, but took a few days to go to Vegas with some friends from their old hometown.
A week is a long time, no matter how old you are.

Yep, Coop missed his mom too.

Bye, Gramma will see you in a couple of weeks

Last weekend, Miss Libby came to Gramma's and Papa's house

To help weed our garden beds.  She was going to camp with her fifth grade class and needed some spending money.

She dug out buttercups

Wallowed in the mud.

And just looked cute.

Happily, the sky was blue on that day.

She said that with what Papa paid her and what she already had, she had enough to buy a camp sweatshirt.
Hope you had lots of fun my darling.  Gramma loves you and you are an amazing hard worker.

Apple Blossom Parade.

There was the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team

Our Veterans Presenting the Flag

Drill Teams

High School Bands

Pretty Princesses

Important People

A fall

A juggling clown on a unicycle.

Little People on little horses

Big people on big horses

More floats

Dancers

And the entire two hour parade was capped off by a rainstorm:(

Stan and I drove over to Wenatchee last night.

We are spending the weekend here.  Chasing the warm.

We went out for a drive and happened upon this house out between Wenatchee and Waterville.

Think we might put an offer on it.  He wants a fixer upper.

Love it in Sepia.

Ahhhh.......Blessed Spring!!

Darius and I set our little tent up on the deck.  Since it was nap time, this is where he took his nap.
I did zip the tent flap closed after I took this picture so he would not get a sun burn.

After we picked Olivia up from school, we went down to the park.  It was just to fine a day to stay at home. We played at the park until the rude pre-teens showed up at about five.  I did ask them one time to clean up their language since I did not care for my children to hear it.  Shortly after I did  that, another parent, a dad, got angry with them so I just gathered the kids up and came home.

Darius trying to swing himself.  I gave him a push, then Olivia was telling him how to  pump with his feet.

Olivia's daddy has taught her how to pump with her feet.  She was really swinging!!

Gotta get my shoe back on.

Bumped her elbow coming down the slide.

Modeling the shrug Gramma made her.

One time down this slide was enough for him.  It was too small.

Olivia showing me how to swing around a pole.

Darius the daredevil.   At the top of the climbing structure.

On Saturday there was a Blood Drive in town.

It was in honor of Elliott Carbajal who grew up in town and was murdered a year and a half ago.  His family decided to do something positive in the shadow of their tragedy.  They were able to donate his organs and since then have organized this blood drive.  This is the second year. Because of Hepatitis as a child, I am unable to donate so I bake cookies for them.  This year I made four dozen snickerdoodles, four dozen chocolate chip, four dozen oatmeal raisin and four dozen oatmeal raisin with nuts.

Of course Darius, #1419 had to get into the action too.  But before we got down to serious mixing,

He discovered his reflection in the mixing bowl.  Had to spend a few moment admiring the handsome boy smiling back at him.

He had just added the flour and was watching it as it mixed in.

Almost ready to add the Chocolate Chips

Once the chips are in, it is far to heavy to stir with the mixer

So, we had to do it by hand.

Sorry there are no pictures of the finished product, but I had to get them wrapped and away or I would not have had any for the Blood Drive.  

I have not heard from the kids how they did, but there was a large crowd when I went down to deliver the cookies.  I am positive it was a success.