Sad News **Important, please read**

The point of this post is to bring some awareness to the movement of no texting and driving. We rarely text and drive, but all too often are reading e-mails or distracted other ways by our cell phone. The Hendricks house is making a commitment to no longer read or type while in the the car (even if we're at a red light). We are taking it a step further and committing to no longer using our cell phones in the car unless we have the ability to speak hands free or pull over to make a call.

Remember the days before cell phones? I do, and I hear stories like the one below and I am reminded that my text, call, or e-mail isn't an emergency, and if I feel it is important enough to call or text at that moment, it is worth pulling off the road to address.

We hope you will join us in making a commitment to not text and drive, and please share your commitment and challenge others via your own blog, facebook, e-mail, etc.

This past weekend we were in San Diego visiting our dear friends the Mumfords who also happened to be there on vacation. They had a 15 year old neighbor boy dog sitting for them while they were away. The boy had taken Ellie, their dog out for a walk and a driver (grown adult) swerved off the road up on the curb because he was texting and driving. Luckily the 15 year old was not hit; he could have been hurt badly and possibly killed. Unfortunately Ellie was hit, and did not make it. We're sorry for the Mumford's and their loss. Ellie was a great dog and our family looks at her as a hero, she saved that 15 year old. This was a quiet neighborhood, slow speeds, well lit, and still someone texting and driving lost control of their car and endangered the lives of others.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not text and drive; and if you can bare it - challenge yourself to use your cell phone while driving only for emergencies or purchase a hands free device for your car/phone.

Prescott Visit

We went to visit GG & GG Hendricks in Prescott, AZ over the holiday weekend. It was a wonderful trip as always. The weather was SUPER. Gavin did pretty good in the car, not perfect, but good for a 10 month old. We all went to lunch and then to the park to feed the ducks. The ducks weren't very interested in us, but we did get some great pictures. It is so beautiful in Prescott, a nice visit with family and a great day to escape the Gilbert heat.

4 generations of Hendricks; you might not be able to see Grandpa Steve in the picture - but he was there in spirit watching over his boys. Very special!

Gavin and Great Grandpa Hendricks

Great Grandma Joy and Great Grandpa Howard - lifting a very heavy baby boy :)

Babysitting with Sam

Daycare was closed on the 27th and 28th, Daddy was busy with month end closings at work, mommy was in Chicago, and Grandma was at work. So we recruited Samara Link to babysit for us. We're still not sure who had more fun...Sam or Gavin. Sam is our dear friend who also happens to be our favorite amateur photographer. Any chance she can she snaps photos. Some of our favorite pictures in our house our ones that Sam casually took when no one was looking. Thanks for the daily journals and the pictures Sam, we appreciate it more than you know!

My Dad Rocks

So does Grandma!

Gavin's first Arizona baseball hat, he looked so cute in it and he's really good about keeping it on.

1st U of A Baseball Game

We took Gavin to Tucson (one of our favorite mini-vacations). It was different with a baby of course, but lots of fun! We didn't spend our evenings by the fire pits celebrating the traditional evening tequila shots with the rest of the resort guests - but we did find lots of other things to keep us busy and of course found time to relax. The whole reason we go to JW Marriott Starr Pass to get away!

Gavin is OFFICIALLY a water baby. He played and played and played in the pool. We are going to have to watch him very closely this summer; he already thinks he can swim.

Sponge Bob was randomly at our hotel. Check out Gavin looking at the freak!!

The lazy river was fun, but Gavin liked the big pool better.

Baseball, baseball, and more baseball! Gavin had snacks to entertain him and a really nice couple behind us that he looked at and talked to almost the entire time we were there.

We ate breakfast at a new place, The Arizona Inn a very old boutique hotel with a lot of history. Many famous rich people have stayed here.

And this was our little angel after the game; we couldn't wake him up if we tried.

Spinach

Somebody loves spinach, or anything green for that matter. What kids love green vegetable, I mean really? Gavin will poo poo the orange or yellow foods flying his way and show us sign language for more...of the green stuff that is. Doesn't matter which green stuff, he just loves all green veggies. We've laid low on the spinach for a while, not sure his tummy likes it as much as he does.

Bath Time

As long as he isn't too tired, bath time is one one of Gavin's favorite parts of the day. We're just having to work on explaining the difference between the bath and the pool. He plays in the bath like it's a swimming pool. He comes out all pruned up every night.

And yes that is the beginnings of hair you see on this little baby's head!! :)

1st Mothers Day

With the help of Jason, Gavin did a great job spoiling and pampering me on Mother's Day. We enjoyed a lovely brunch at Bolero's. Not sure if we ate our money's worth, but it was delicious food and Barb didn't have to cook.

We spent the afternoon at the pool soaking in some desperately needed rays. You'd never know we live in AZ with our pasty white skin. Gavin was so much fun at the pool, he thinks he can swim which is a little scary. He wants to go, go, go.

Jason grilled chicken and made homemade peach salsa; he also made a spinach and orzo salad (2 WW points) which was SO GOOD!

All in all it was a wonderful day - I have the best son in the world which makes Mother's Day extra special.

Ingredients

	2 cup(s) spinach, baby leaves, packed
	1/3 cup(s) uncooked orzo
	1 cup(s) grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes, halved
	2 tsp white wine vinegar
	1/4 tsp table salt
	1/4 tsp black pepper
	1/4 cup(s) crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

• Place spinach in a serving bowl.
  
  
• Bring a medium-size pot of water to a boil; stir in orzo. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes; drain well. Spoon hot orzo over spinach and toss to coat; let spinach wilt.
  
  
• Add tomatoes, vinegar, salt and pepper to orzo; toss gently but well. Sprinkle with cheese; serve immediately. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

{**TEETH**}

It's about time! Actually we think it is just fine that Mr. Gavin hasn't got any teeth yet, sure has made nursing easy! :-) Gavin's 1st tooth officially broke through this week, sometime around Tuesday May 4th. Gave us reason to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo!! It still isn't really showing but you can feel it if you rub your finger on his gums. He's struggled a little this week, but for the most part is going a great job. He ate like a grown up last night. We gave him a piece of string cheese to play with, not realizing he would devour it! Yes, did I mention that it was only 1 tooth, and that it isn't even showing yet? Looking at this cheese you would think he had a mouth full of teeth.

Stay tuned...more teeth to follow!!

Spokane Visit - Bloomsday

It has been a while since we were able to visit the Thew family. Of course Gavin has changed so much. Year #2 of attempting to get the entire family to do Bloomsday. We had much higher participation this year; everyone except dad who decided to nearly break his leg in 1/2 (conveniently 2 weeks before Bloomsday). He was a great chauffeur though and always makes it much easier for the rest of us.

Playing with 1 of many of Grandpa's firetrucks.

Early Sunday morning, we're all getting ready for the race.

Race time!! Well sort of. Gavin & Barb were stuck in the stroller section which we found out just before the race that is the 'no running zone'. Glad we packed all of our running gear. Ended up we found some small pockets we could run in. It did take us 7 of the 7.5 miles to finally catch up to our family. Jason finished and looped back around; he met us at around mile 3 and did the rest of the race with us. Gavin was SUPER GREAT, stayed in the stroller the whole time and never peeped.

That is of course until Uncle begged to hold Gavin. Here he is riding on Uncle Russell's shoulders and wearing Russ' hat...yeah he thought he was pretty cool, but he is!

The vulture at the top of Doomsday Hill - we did it Gavin!

FINISHERS! It was fun, but next year I think we'll volunteer Grandma to be in the stroller section so mom & dad can run together and try to break an hour as a team!

The ride home from lunch with the Spokane Hendricks'. He visited and ate, but then he crashed...hard! We were happy we were able to see Mark, Lisa, and Morgan on our short visit.

Until August and the Pig Roast! We love & miss you guys already!!!