Spring Has Sprung in Eugene

We had a ward activity this morning at a local park, including a very nice breakfast, an Easter nature walk (looking for specific items to remind us of Christ), and some Easter games for the young (and young at heart).  It was a bit chilly to begin with (at 9:00 a.m. it's still in the 40's), but there was plenty of sunshine, which was kind of a miracle itself -- I thought our activities committee was rather crazy brave to plan an outdoor activity in March, even with a covered picnic shelter.  (It was raining yesterday and supposed to rain tomorrow, so we were really lucky to have such a beautiful day today).

After the breakfast, Clay and I headed out for a walk, as there are plenty of jogging and bike paths surrounding the park, and I wanted to take some pictures of the spring blossoms along the millrace.

We had a good view of the hotel Clay works at, since the trees along the side are still bare.

We were amused (and amazed) by the ducks that sleep standing on one foot with their heads turned backwards to tuck them under their wing.  I would think they'd fall over, or wake up with a neck ache.

We saw some trees with pretty pinkish blossoms and bright green leaves.  I like the blossoms against the blue sky.

Here's a close-up of the same tree.

Even Autzen Stadium looked fresh and shiny.  Go Ducks!

We saw tons of geese and ducks and other birds.  Clay can still identify a few birds by their songs, even though it's been many years since he studied them.  (He's a long-time bird watcher).

Clay doesn't like this picture, but I do.  I think most of us don't like pictures of ourselves.  You'll notice there isn't one of me in this post, even though I let Clay take one of me wearing the bunny ears he made for me at the ward activity.  The kids we teach in nursery looked a lot cuter in theirs.

It was just a beautiful morning for a walk, and we enjoyed ourselves!

And here are a couple of pictures I took earlier this month.  The first is one I took from inside the car (don't worry, I wasn't driving while I took it, Clay was).  And the second is some crocuses in our front yard.

Of course, there is a downside to all this beauty.  Here is a picture of our best friend this time of year:

HAPPY SPRING, EVERYBODY!

Mama's Helpers?

I'm told that Danica is a pretty good helper at home.  One of the chores she is learning to do is to put away the dishes.  I was invited over for a meal the other day, and while Melissa was making sandwiches for everyone, Danica was emptying the dishwasher and Mira was "helping."

But as everyone knows, everything in baby's hand goes right into baby's mouth (how else can she explore her world?).

Let's try the green plastic spoon first.   

Meanwhile, Danica is diligently working on her task.

Then Mira needs to try out a plastic plate to go with the spoon.

The next course is the metal spoon.  (Doesn't she look like she's plotting something?)

No, you can't have this one -- it's all mine!

Danica shows us how carefully she can carry the dishes.

Making progress.

Oh, are we done already?  I was having fun.  Can't I help some more?

Of course, the dishes that Mira "helped" with had to go straight back into the dishwasher.  :-)