Remembering

miss you and love you

Happy Easter, Happy Spring Time

It was another great week around the Thelin home. Jade was busy studying away for the last of his tests he had to take for his investments licenses (Series 6), which he passed with flying colors. Jade is happy because he never has to study again. I am happy because now Jade's work can stay at work, and not come home with him. Jade also just took out a life insurance policy for himself, and his brothers each got one, too. I am proud to announce that all 3 Thelin boys got the highest health rating the company offers! Jeremy was the first to get feedback that he came out with the highest rating. After that, it kind of became a competition between the 3 of them. Jade was rather pleased with himself. It's no surprise, but we've been having lots of Spring showers. It has been raining every day, but it's really funny because one minute it will be a torrential downpour, and the next minute the sun will be out. I've only ever seen weather like that in the Central America. It's nuts. Oh and also, there have been times where there isn't a cloud in the sky, but it's raining! I don't get it, but I'm certainly grateful for the times when the sun is out. Easter was great for our little family. We woke up and found our Easter baskets (Peyton's was "hidden" right in the center of the room), opened our goodies, ate more than our fair share of refined sugar, went to church, and had a great family dinner at Jeremy and Kristin's house.

I caught the Easter Bunny in action!!

The Las Vegas Easter Bunny gave Peyton her treats in the cutest Easter basket I've ever seen in my life! (Thank you Noni)

This was Peyton "finding" her Easter basket(s). I love her face in this picture. She had absolutely no clue what was going onThis picture was taken just seconds later, after she discovered yogurt treats in her basket. She was so excited. "I know what these are. I love these things! This is awesome."Of course Tink got an Easter bone, too. I only put this picture in because of Peyton. She just loves Tink. She will literally drop everything just to watch Tinky. It's so cute.

Also, Peyton is still uber-cute as she is discovering the world around her. She loves her minky "face blankie" and her binky, and she knows to go get them when she starts to get tired. If we're playing, and she decides she's ready for a nap, she'll crawl over to her stash, pop her binky in her mouth, rub her blankie over her eyes, and put herself to sleep. It's adorable. We got lucky to get this picture. As you can see, she has a minute speck in between her fingers. It is something so small that even a high-resolution camera can't pick up what it is. She stared at this speck for a few moments, then promptly inserted it in her mouth. This is very typical. She'll find things on the floor even after I vacuum. She finds things I can't even see on the ground. Little sneaktheif...

Good Day, Sunshine

If there's one thing I've learned about Oregon, it's that Oregonians take advantage of every single minute of sunlight they can get. It's mind-blowing; it will be raining, and the streets are empty, then the sun peeks out of the clouds, and within seconds everyone in the state is outside. The past few days, we have had incredible weather. That means a lot coming from a desert rat like me. The days have been warm and sunny and absolutely beautiful. We have upheld our duty as Oregonians and fully taken advantage of the weather. Saturday and Sunday we went on bike rides (4 miles and 8 miles, thank you very much). Since it was conference weekend and we had to be indoors for 8 hours, we opened up our windows and let the sun shine into every room. Today I went to the zoo with Peyton and her best friend Peyton (and Brittney). I think I even got a tan! [Oh, that reminds me. I started cracking up... yesterday while we were riding our bikes we saw a couple laying out sunbathing in swimsuits. It was a pretty day and all, but it was still only 70 degrees, people!] Even the animals take advantage of the sunshine. I caught Tinky stealing some rays of sunshine two times this weekend:

Jade has been working hard at his new job, and he seems to be catching on rather quickly. In his first month with New York Life, he has already earned the "Big Dog Award", for selling a certain amount of insurance, and was given the cute certificate and doggie bone. I'm not going to lie; Tink enjoyed Jade's award more than Jade did. At least Jade got a really good lunch at Beni Hana's to make up for the dog bone! I'm so proud of Jade, and so grateful for how hard he works to support our family.

"I have what it takes to run with the Big Dogs"

Tinky and Peyton have become great friends the last few months. Tink has been amazing with Peyton, and is very patient with her. Peyton basically crawls all over Tinky, and Tink just lays there and takes it, never snapping or growling. It's so sweet, and makes me love and appreciate my "first baby" even more.

This was Peyton and Tinky watching conference (or not watching conference, as it were)

Peyton concentrating very hard on how to get Tink's head off her hand. It's heavier than it looks.

Tink, moving in for the kill (the open mouthed kiss).

Peyton retaliates by trying to nurse on Tinky's cheek.

Having been unsuccessful with nursing, Peyton resorts to petting Tinky. If she isn't good for milk, at least she's soft to pet...