Light Weight

Lukas is looking for ways to lighten up his hiking equipment. His most recent project is a light-weight flashlight. Taking advantage of the 3D printer at NAU, he designed the casing. Next came soldering and assembling with care and patience — the result, a flashlight that weighs a mere 9 grams, 1/3 of an ounce.

Easter Photo

We did manage to get a photo of all four of us before we headed out to early morning Easter Sunday service.

Easter Preparations

In preparation for Easter celebrations, we colored eggs. For our brunch, Lukas also baked a lemon-braid, and gluten-free power bars. The kitchen was brimming with activities and laughter. Noah rubbed his eggs with paper towels to achieve the appropriate coloring, whereas Bob and Lukas were happy to do a simple dip and dry. The eggs served as edible decorations, and the braid did not last long on the cutting board. For the gluten-free crowd, the power bars were a special treat. We had so much fun around the table; we forgot to snap even one picture. Maybe because all of our phones were somewhere else, and not on the table?

Perfecting the Cookie

The perfect chocolate chip cookie - does it exist? According to Noah, it does, and he has even managed to acquire the recipe. He baked a few dozen cookies to keep in the freezer, and also to share with our Thursday evening group dinner party. Every cookie on the platter was gone, so clearly Noah is not the only one to think this is the best chocolate chip cookie.

While in the kitchen, he set out to perfect banana bread as well. In kindness to his Mama, he even made it gluten-free, and it was tasty!

Labor of Love

Sometimes store-bought is just not good enough. And sometimes the challenge of making it is well worth the effort. Noah decided to increase his Rubik's Cube collection with one that he had 3D printed. Once printed, the plastic has to be finished. Noah spent a few days filing, smoothing, fitting, filing, smoothing, and fitting. Labor of love has no limits.

Multi-Functioning

When Lukas is preparing to fly, this is how our dining room table looks. Having multi-function furniture is good.

View

This view keeps us going when we are out running. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place where the sun is out almost every day, and the sky is bright blue.

Chocolate Falls

Arizona has its own "Niagara Falls." The Great Falls' well-appointed nickname is the "Chocolate Falls." Although bigger than Niagara, it is not as well known and is off the beaten path - the last miles are on a dirt road.
This past winter we have had a lot of snow which means the falls are full and running fast - what is usually a beautiful sight is extraordinarily so this spring. We took advantage of our proximity and visited one Sunday afternoon. The parking lot was filled, and we heard that it was an exceptional year to view the falls - we are glad we went.

We even caught a rainbow

Sunday Hike

Sunday afternoons are a good time for a hike. It is refreshing to get outside, catch some of the sun's warm rays, and explore God's creation. We really live in a gorgeous area.

Is Hamlet Guilty?

On April 2, 2019, Hamlet was put on trial for the murder of Polonius. The trial was held in Camp Verde, Arizona.

Lukas and Noah, along with their Challenge III classmates, spent several weeks digging deep into Shakespeare's play in preparation for charging Hamlet with murder.  The hard work culminated in two trials (each team had a chance to prosecute and defend Hamlet)  held at Yavapai Superior Court with Judge Michael R. Bluff presiding.  Both trials ruled in favor of Hamlet.  The boys breathed a sigh of relief and acknowledged the great sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing something difficult and challenging.
Well done!

Confused

As if it was not bad enough that it snowed on the first day of spring... On April 10, this is the view out of our windows. Hmmmm.