Pilgrimage to the Hermitage

As they do each year, some of my friends made the spring pilgrimage to the Hermitage in Nashville. No, we're not visiting Andrew Jackson's house, we're playing some golf. This year, we did so in some pretty frigid weather. This year's participants were Viet Dong (yet to miss a year) and Chad Bolliger.

I must give public credit to my friends. They are both just amazing about playing with my girls and I really appreciate their visits every time.

A few phrases from the trip...

"So pure" -Bolliger, causing our random playing partner Steve to lose it. Bolliger proceded to score a 9 on the hole due to laughter. (This was in the midst of Bolliger's score streak that went, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.)

"Daddy... if Viet's 29, why is Mommy taller than him?" - Aspen, prior to Viet's arrival.

Aspen is just plain growing up

So I went to New York last week for work. I was gone for only four days, but when I got back, it felt like Aspen had all of a sudden grown up.

• First off, I noticed that she was playing on her own more. She was also making sure that Oakley was happy and involved with it. That was pretty cool.
• Then I got to see some pictures that Aspen had drawn at Encore. For the first time, the art actually resembled something effectively. She had drawn a tree with leaves and the sun and grass and her name (sort of). It was really cool. She had also written M - O - M on the back, and told us that that picture was for Mommy. She told me that it was for me too, but she didn't know how to write my name.
• We moved the basketball hoop up to 5 feet, and somehow, it seemed to make it easier for her. We had a lot of fun this weekend shooting some hoops together and working on passing and teamwork.
• And lastly, Aspen is totally self sufficient on a swing now. Not long ago, she could barely try to pump. Now she can start on her own and keep it going indefinitely. It's very cool. (You can see pictures of this and other recent events here.)

OK, that's enough sentimentality for now, but I am awfully proud of our little girl.