Clark Adventures: Spring Break 2016

Ohmygod, you guys, I know I say this all the time, but I need to stay updated on my blog. I was just looking back at the pictures that should go into this post, and my memories are pretty vague. Summer/Fall Resolution 2016: don't wait so long between blog posts.

I just saw this article on Facebook today (actually, I saw it weeks ago when I started this blog post and never finished it...). Maybe this is why I can't remember back to March.
Neuroscientists say multitasking literally drains the energy reserves from your brain

For spring break this year, we stayed home and had fun around town. It was a nice break from work and from grad school, and I really enjoyed lying low and spending some quality time with friends and family.

We started out spring break with some margaritas on the deck. It was a sunny evening (at least it looks like it was from this picture), and who doesn't love some delicious cocktails with friends?

Curt, Kris, John, Randy, and Moi

Trey and Ana had their first sleepover, and it went off without a hitch. They have so much fun together, and it has been great to watch their friendship grow. I was impressed that they slept through the night, but I wish they would have slept in past 6am!

I have been continuing to assist at Hipcooks in North Portland for their cooking classes. The class I helped with over spring break was an Indian cooking class, and it was cool to learn about some new foods. When I assist in the classes, I get to watch how to make all the foods and taste everything, and all I need to do is wash dishes. After three classes, I get to participate in a free class. FUN!

The Menu

The class set up

I have been listening to a podcast that I really love called What Should I Read Next? It comes out on Tuesdays, and I look forward to it every week. Many of the books I have been reading are mentioned on this podcast. The format is that Anne Bogel, also known as Modern Mrs. Darcy, has her guests list three books they love, one book they hate, and what they are reading now. Then she recommends three books that she thinks they would like. I usually get at least one new title to put on my TBR list each week.

My most recent library pick-up. Three of the four come from the book podcast. I have been enjoying Louise Penny's mystery series, even though I'm not a mystery reader, and at this point have read the first three in the series. I liked When Breath Becomes Air okay, but not as much as I thought I would. Wednesday Wars is a young adult book that one of the podcast guest said was her "favorite book ever." I thought it was alright. The one on the bottom was also a podcast rec, but I only read a few pages and returned it.

One day over spring break we went wine tasting with Kris and John. One of the places we stopped had a helicopter out front to advertise for helicopter tours. Trey thought it was pretty cool as he has never seen a helicopter up close before.

Snacks and coloring/writing utensils...perfect!

We had fun writing a joint book throughout our wine tasting adventures. I can't remember the story exactly, but I know we all thought it was hilarious.

We must have made brownies for something!

He's a batter monster!

I'm a really good babysitter!

We have been having so much fun with our neighbor friends who we have met through soccer and kindergarten. They all came over for dinner over spring break, and one could say the house was loud!

Jaxon, Ryder, Zach, Owen and Trey

Checking out Randy's boa

One of our favorite holiday traditions is to make sugar cookies and frost them. It's even more fun with the cousins!

Park visit!

Reading with Grandpa

Playing Memory with Grandpa

The spring brewfest was the last weekend of spring break, and it is one of our favorite events. We went with Missy, Kourt, and Wyatt, and had a fabulous time!

After the brewfest, we went to Missy and Kourt's house and hung out on their front porch for awhile. Missy's sister came by, and it was an old-friend reunion as Randy grew up with these ladies in Texas and then Walla Walla.