Tulip Time

We went to Tulip Time on Saturday at Thanksgiving Point to enjoy some good Dutch Culture.  We saw some traditional Dutch footwear.

I asked for a discount because I was Dutch, and received one (even though there wasn't such a discount, I just used my powers of persuasion).

Saw some traditional Dutch flowers.

And some not so traditional flowers.

Saw a cute Dutch boy.

Read some traditional Dutch proverbs.

Saw some big-ol' Dutch shoes.

Played with a Dutch windmill.

Got my Dutch on.

And played a traditional game - Dutch bingo.  I noticed these kids looking at my mom and whispering.  As I was about to ask I could help them in some way, they asked "Mrs. Bakker?".

These kids were students in one of my mom's first 3rd grade classes, circa late 1990's.

Saw some more pretty flowers.

And got some fun family pics.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everybody!  Easter is my favorite holiday, celebrating the single greatest act of love the world will ever know.  Jesus came, lived, and died that we might be redeemed.  Thank you, Jesus, for truly loving us - that though we deserve to die, we don't have to.

A Little Overdue

I haven't posted in a while.  Katie & I headed down to Phoenix unexpectedly to see my Grandma a couple weeks ago.  I've been avoiding the blog because I'd like to post about that whole situation, but I'm not ready to yet.  So for the moment, on with life.  My Mom came up from Phoenix this weekend to see us (mostly Tommy, and that's okay), and spend Easter together.  I hope you enjoy some pictures.

Tommy, proud to have finally gotten my heavy cast-iron pot out of the cupboard.

Mario, our ever-present shadow.  He's still the best dog, but he's losing his hearing and sight.

I never knew that all cylinders were trumpets/loudspeakers/microphones...

Tommy loves bananas (at least this particular morning).  Thanks again Jason & Paige for the great highchair!

Boxes are the best toys ever for little boys.

Out enjoying one of the rare sunny days this spring - about to help Katie in the garden.

After a little dirt-snack.

After a 2nd dirt-snack...

These steel gates are designed to make pens for dogs, but they also work great for corralling Tommy.  He's awfully fond of the tall heavy display with glass shelves and fragile items just off-camera.  Tommy seems to like them too as they're heavy/sturdy enough he can use them to pull himself up with.

Tommy inside the "free zone".

Emptying the cupboards is a popular activity right now.

Also popular - sliming up the windows that Dad just cleaned this week.

I finally installed the tub in Tommy's bathroom.  Thank you Brandon for helping me get it upstairs!

Not a great casting - there's some iron in the way of the drain fitting.  Nothing a hand-file and about 35 minutes didn't take care of.

Drain installed.

This is the 3rd cast-iron tub I've installed, and while it went a little smoother than the previous 2, it was still a pain in the keester.

In position to cripple me for life be flipped and installed.

Voila.  Tommy's already taken a bath in his tub and really likes it.  I like that it's very deep and he can splash without soaking me and his bathroom.