Caption time!

During Mom and Dad's visit this week, Dad took this shot of the birdhouse Josh made in cub scouts. We've been having fun coming up with captions for the shot. What's your best caption?

An adventure . . . or two

I've been trying to take the boys on small "adventures" when we can--just checking out what's around us and going to new places. About a month ago, we decided to take a little adventure to Garden of the Gods after Josh's district pinewood derby in Colorado Springs. It was our first time there and the boys enjoyed running through the park and climbing on the rocks. Pretty spectacular scenery--next time we'll have to bring Grandpa with us so he can take some better pictures. (And yes, both boys have gotten haircuts in the meantime!)




Our second adventure happened on the way home. We were in Penrose right near the only gas station for about 30 miles when I heard that dreaded "thud-thud-thud." I pulled over and saw this in my front tire.

A stinkin' Allen wrench? Are you kidding me? Thank goodness we were right near the gas station. I pulled in and called a man from the ward who lives a few minutes away. His wife said he was on his way home from work (at Big O Tires) and he came right over. I just wanted some direction in changing my tire, but he pretty much took care of the whole thing for me. But I watched VERY carefully and feel like I could do it on my own now. Not that I need to cross that off my list of things I've never done before. I'm really not sure if I'm strong enough to loosen the lug nuts--better keep doing my push-ups. He did let me know that Big O has roadside service if you buy your tires there and they will help you out if you get a flat somewhere other than across the street from a gas station. I drove 40 mph on my spare to Big O (that took longer than changing the tire) and made it there ten minutes before closing! I think my guardian angels were working overtime that day. The boys thought it was great fun and were very impressed with all the hidden tools and spare tire. They really love our little adventures!

We need a summer vacation . . .

Spring Break

This year's Spring Break was supposed to be a calm event at home centered around taking the boys skiing. Well, Sunday morning Josh convinced me to drive out to Utah to visit Kathy and her family. We left Wednesday morning and drove all day. The boys did great--probably better than me! I thought we would never get out of the Price Canyon.

Our first day there Kathy took us to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake City. The kids loved it. There were a ton of dress up opportunities which Jake loved--he was a postman, a horse, a grocery clerk, a prince and even a princess. Josh avoided the costumes (especially the dresses) but enjoyed making his own movie and being a news anchor. But the Flight-for-Life helicopter was the star of the show. We had a hard time dragging Josh out of there.













We visited BYU on Friday to go bowling at the Wilkinson Center and try some BYU Creamery ice cream. Yum! The weather wasn't cooperating for skiing, so we tried a tubing park on Saturday instead. It was near Park City and had a huge hill. But best of all, it had conveyor belts to take us to the top of the hill--no trudging up on our own! Josh loved it, but Jake had enough after two rides. I finally convinced him to keep going for two more trips and then he could take his snowmobile ride. The park had mini-snowmobiles that children over five could drive on their own. They had a great time--maybe next year we'll hit the slopes with skis.

And the winner is . . .

Josh REALLY enjoyed his first pinewood derby. He took first place overall without losing a single race! I'm not sure how we pulled it off--he made his car with help from me (mostly internet research) and from the past bishop who has a wood shop in his garage (but kept telling us he had two girls and this was his first pinewood derby car too). We were both very excited about coming home with a trophy. Josh has wanted one (from any kind of event) for about two years and recently started asking me to buy him a trophy. So I'm very happy that he earned one and I don't have to hear him say how he's NEVER going to get one anymore. Sigh--it's so hard being eight. Now on to the district race in Colorado Springs in April!

Josh' car is in the far lane. I put this in just because I was impressed that I actually got his car in the shot. I have several pictures of the empty track because my timing wasn't quite right.

Jake was checking things out before the races got started. They really went all out decorating the gym.

Me and my friend Monica. Jake had us posing for quite some time so I gave up smiling and just went goofy. Of course that's when he finally snaps the shot.

Happy Chinese New Year!

A few weeks ago, Josh said that I could order whatever food I wanted and he wouldn't complain. He wouldn't eat it, but I could finally go to whatever restaurant I wanted. So I said that on the Chinese New Year we would have Chinese food. I ordered beef and broccoli and then took the kids to Burger King so they could eat chicken nuggets with chopsticks. It was fun to watch them try--Jake just stabbed his chicken but Josh got the hang of it enough to dip his food in ranch dressing. Oh, and Josh did try the Chinese food--not a fan.

Mom's blanket

Since Mom decided to stay a few days longer than Dad and Susan at Christmas, I decided to give her a project to do. :-) I had a ton of jeans that I wanted to make into another blanket. Armed with ten yards of flannel I got on sale the day after Thanksgiving, we set to work. Correction--Mom went to work. I tried to help but was really just moral support. In three days she cut, sewed, and quilted the whole thing. Very impressive! We've really enjoyed having picnics in the basement and snuggling under a blanket than can fit all three of us. Thanks Mom!

I took a picture next my usual blanket so you could see how big it really is.