Drive In Movies

We love the drive in. It is the best way to see a movie with kids. They get to talk, eat, and sit outside in the warm summer air with blankets and Capri Suns.
We can't wait for summer movies again...

So we decided to do a drive-in movie night for our Primary Quarterly Activity.
It was a success and I only had one nightmare about it ;)
It was so much fun and we had a pretty good turnout.
The plan went like this:
The children came in and made their "cars" with cardboard boxes, lots of tape, colored paper, paper plates, and glue.
Then they had to do a coloring sheet or an object search to get their first ticket,
Then identify a member of the First Presidency or recite an article of faith for another ticket,
Then sing a primary song on Kade's karaoke machine for their third ticket.
Then they used their tickets for popcorn, root beer floats, and the entrance to the movie.
They were really good about making sure we took their tickets. I think they felt like they were all grown up.

I don't generally put up pictures of other people's kids, but I snapped a few that were so cute I had to share:

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to me.
It was a wonderful day of celebrating life.
I look at where I am at this point in my life and realize it isn't where I thought I would be.
But that's okay.
In some ways it is better.
In some, it could be better.
But I am grateful for what I have:
A loving and appreciative husband (who got me a gift I had asked for once, two weeks ago)
Children who are intelligent, sensitive, and loving
A (mostly) healthy and strong body
A home that is welcoming,
A car that starts when I want it to and (even better)--is paid for
A religion that gives me a strong foundation to build a family on

I'm loving life, even when it is not so lovable that is the best birthday gift.
Along with a family dinner I didn't have to cook.

Arrow of Light

Nathan earned his Arrow of Light last week. To celebrate, we had an amazing pack meeting with some special guests who put on quite a show for us.
After the other boys got their awards, the dancing and storytelling began.
They did a great job, and got the boys (at least mine) excited to earn their Eagle Scout award.

Nathan's grandparents were able to come to the meeting to support him. We appreciate it-- Thanks!
At the end of the dancing. One of the young men told a story about the arrow of light and the feathers that correlate the seven rays that come from the arrow. Each represents a value that a young boy should try to develop. It was a great thing to watch, they spoke right to Nathan and he was feeling pretty special.
At the end, they did a special "Snake Dance" that was for everyone. If they came and tapped you, you were obliged to join in. They got all the kids and lots of the parents (our meeting was quite small).
My girls loved it, but the boys weren't quite so sure. They ended up joining the dance and had smiles by the end. Of course, chanting the SpongeBob Squarepants song while dancing around holding feathers tends to make you giggle. We're so proud of Nathan. Congratulations!

Because He Loves Me

... and has for 14 years.

Through fourteen years we have moved 8 times, had a combined total of 6 jobs, four pregnancies and four deliveries, six hospital stays, a bout with carpenter ants and the "crazies" that came with them, three broken bones, one set of stitches, three car accidents, one lawsuit, and lots of vacations.

It has been a wild ride, but I'm ready for more.

I love you!

A Super Duper Derby

It is that time of year again.
Pinewood Derby!

Nathan's last, Kade's first, Burke's 6th(?).

The boys had a great time designing their cars, especially picking out the colors. We went with gold and blue this year.

Nathan's was The Comet. Kade's came to be known as The Truck. (Very creative, I know. That's just how we roll.)
Burke spent waaaaaayyyyy too much time on his car. But he finally got it to work. It lasted for one race. But then Nathan picked it up and it didn't work right after that.
Kade took second place, Nathan was fourth.

It was a lot of fun.

Last week we rented Down and Derby. It was hilarious and somehow appropriate...

A Birthday Guy

Happy Birthday to my guy!

We celebrated with yummy grilled ribeyes (I had a grilled portobella mushroom, which was really quite good and the kids had hot dogs, because they don't like real meat).

He is a big fan of banana cream pie. I cannot make them very well (surprise, surprise), so that was provided courtesy of Village Inn.

We had a nice evening eating, celebrating, and enjoying family movie night.

I didn't actually interview him, so these are my best guesses:

Favorite color: Olive green. Every time we go shopping for clothing for him, he ends up with something that color.

Favorite food: Tony Roma's ribs, when he can get them. Or my Chicken Cordon Bleu. Or steak.

Favorite activity: Hunting, fishing, shooting, watching movies.

Thing that makes him happiest: His family.

What he wants to be when he grows up: A pilot in Alaska.

What he is now: An engineer. Who explodes stuff once in a while.

Favorite vacation: That is a hard one. I think that he liked Disneyland, although he may complain that I didn't stop long enough to let anyone eat. But we also had a lot of fun at Mount Rushmore and Chicago.

Happy Birthday to a great husband, father, son, and sweetheart.

He Belongs

To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kade was baptized January 2, 2009.
He was so excited.
During family prayers the whole week before his baptism he prayed that people would feel the Spirit at his baptism.
I think his prayer was answered.

I did a spotlight to share how special Kade is,

Grandma W talked about baptism, Grandma T talked about the Holy Ghost.

We all knew that Grandpa W was there.
Thanks to all the family and friends who supported him in this big step.

We love you Kade!

A Christmas Party

We had a ward Christmas party. It was a breakfast and turned out to be a lot of fun, and not just for the kids.

Burke had his fun as well...

Santa and Hammers

My kids' school has a Breakfast With Santa every December. We get to have doughnuts and juice and share our greatest wishes with Santa. The kids are always excited before we go, but then act a little shy when we get there.
This year, Nathan decided he was a little old to sit on Santa's lap. But he did it.
And there was a classmate there who took his picture when he did it. And she was a girl. She giggled. He was embarrassed.
Can you tell?


Adrienne got to see Santa too. She wasn't sure about sitting on his lap though.Do you love the body language there?

After we saw Santa we went to Home Depot to do a project. They made wagons that were just right for putting present in--at least that is what Adrienne said.
There were hammers, nails, wood, and stickers. They loved it. After the big project, we went to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa to our favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate Kade's birthday.

He wanted to go to this particular restaurant because he wanted them to sing to him. An added bonus was getting a yummy sundae that his siblings tried to inhale before I put the brakes on.
Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for braving the snow and heading up to see Kade.
More to come on the big birthday...
He's 8!

Perfectly Princess-y

We went to see Disney Princesses on Ice. It was a special treat, and I didn't tell the girls we were going until we got there.
We had excellent seats. It was a great experience and we had so much fun.
It started with Mickey and Minnie. Adrienne was fine.
Then we got into Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, Belle, and Aurora.Adrienne was not so happy to see the villains in each story. She sat on my lap for the entire first half of the show.
The second half was Cinderella's story.
That was better.
The stepsisters were right in front of us. Adrienne was a little scared of them too, but she stayed in her seat.
Of course, every princess needs her fairy godmother. Sometimes a mom needs one too.
At the end, all of the princes and princesses were on the set waving in their beautiful gold and white sparkly gowns. Annika was in heaven.It was nice to have a girl's night out with the cousins, aunt, and grandma.
Thanks grandma!

Boo!

Adrienne was a spooky ghost:
Annika was a cute cowgirl (with a home-made costume I am very proud of, by the way): Annika's dance class had a party last Tuesday for class time. The kids got to wear their costumes over their dance clothes. Annika's vest and chaps over a leotard had a little bit of a "Prince" feel to it. I didn't realize it until I was walking behind her into class :)

Kade was an all-powerful ninja turtle:
Nathan had his first year of inviting his good friend over to go trick or treating together. It sounds like they had a lot of fun. They came back to the house and told me a tale about some girls...
Too funny. I love tween boys. They are hilarious, and easily embarrassed.
I neglected to get pictures of them, so this picture of all the kids at the ward trunk or treat will have to do for a shot of Nathan's Anakin Skywalker costume:

Happy Halloween!

Deer Camp 2009: Manliness In Action

The boys went off on their quest for game.
But we all know what it really is...
Getting in touch with their manly sides.

Both of my boys went with their manly dad...
And came home as manly boys.
I got few details.
I do know that it happens to be a stinky place...
I was told that "What Happens on the Deer Hunt, Stays on the Deer Hunt".

Here is Nathan cooking his favorite food: hot dogs! Yum!

Kade whittling his hot dog stick. Notice the proper technique?
Gotta have some dinner.
They spent their days hiking, scouting, eating, and competing...
And on the last day: Success.
Literally as they were driving home. This poor guy was surprised on the side of the road.
Can you see the shock permanently etched on his face?
All in all, it was a successful hunt. In more ways than one.Congratulations to all the manly men who I hope had a positive effect on my boys.