So much to cover!

We have been some busy people.  I've started spring quarter, the boys are gearing up for the end of school, Aaron has been to D.C. and back and is going again soon, and baseball, baseball, and more baseball.  Did I mention baseball?  Yeah, we're pretty busy.

 
We've also been hiking recently.  We headed up a trail we've been on before, but we went a fair bit farther.  This hike took us through parts of the wilderness burned by the Station Fire and then eroded by the torrential rains this winter.  It was amazing.  Most of the trees were completely blackened, but right under them were wildflowers popping up.  Looking at the hillsides was like looking at a painter's palette.  I don't think the photos will do it justice, but I did the best I could.  Be sure to click on any photo you want to see better.  It will blow it up.

     

These two show the torched trees and the beautiful wildflowers replacing them.

      

Here's a close-up of some of the purple flowers and the top of the ridge we hiked to.

These two show the power of the rains we've had.  The gully on the left is huge.  That pipe is about 3-4 feet in diameter.  The bench on the right had been up where the boys are near the orange flowers.  It's not anymore!

Last Wednesday was A.J.'s first Pinewood Derby.  He designed his car all on his own, and did some of the shaping and all the sanding and painting.  It won the design award titled "I Wish that were MY Car."

It was also pretty fast.  It came in 5th place overall and is leading in this picture.

Levi running to first base after a MONSTER hit to center field (left).  Throwing to first after making a play at 2nd base (right).

He LOVES his team and his teammates.  Note: the kid standing next to him in the left-hand picture is less than one month older.  Evan 11 (his nickname) is the tallest 5-year-old I've ever met.

If you get walked, with more than one ball in the dirt, you'll be smiling at first.

These two are simply examples of how much bigger most of the competitors are! 

This is A.J. warming up to close out the game.  He came in with a runner on 2nd, 1 out, and a tie game.  His team isn't likely to win many, and this game felt like the playoffs for these boys. 

Celebrating after what felt like a win.  It was the most exciting tie ever.  The other team treated it like a loss, and our boys were thrilled to treat it like a win.  Note: the boy standing next to Levi (red hat) is our ace pitcher.  He's really good.  He got a home run to take the lead, but then felt dejected to give up the tying run.  Don't be surprised if you see him in the majors in a decade or two.

Life is crazy right now, but we sure are having fun.  I'm starting to apply for jobs, so feel free to pray for me if you want to!