Pinewood Derby 2014

Dillon participated in his second Pinewood Derby.

 We learned a few things from our first experience and did a little better this time.

Dillon was a great sport.

  Wesley got to participate in the Open Class with Dillon's car from last year.

 

They were both excited to be part of the fun.

  

 Dillon got 3rd place in his Den.  We were proud of our boy!

 

 

This was the 2nd of 13 consecutive years of Pinewood Derby for us. Ahhhh!

January visitors

My sister, Heather, and her son Bradley came to visit for a couple days from Georgia. Heather is such a fun person.  Every time I'm with her I am wowed by her positivity and spunk for life.  She brought with her my Christmas present -- a large pot, southern seasonings, and money to buy crab so I can make my own Low Country Boil.  I've been daydreaming about the stuff ever since our Georgia trip in March, so it was a perfect present.  Can't wait to try it out!

It was so great to have some cousin time. Mother nature totally cooperated and gave us a couple inches of fresh snow so Bradley could experience snow fun!  I kept the boys home from school so we could maximize our time with them.

 Heather is always the most fun aunt.  She headed right out to help them build a snowman.

 

 

 We tried out the new sled Santa brought.

 

 Caleb was really helpful in the shoveling department!

 Aaron made sure to get some good wrestling time in.

We made time for dancing

 and time for treats too!

 

I was glad my dad came to pick them up so my boys got a little time with Grandpa. He is such a great sport ...i.e. letting Caleb tighten tools on him!

 

 

 

 

We always love time with family and I'm so glad Heather made the trip to see us. 

 

The next week.  We had a couple more visitors, from just down the road.  Cousins Carson and Cade stayed with us while their parents were in Hawaii.  Lots of fun with 5 boys in the house!!!

 

New Years 2014

 We were back in Boise for New Years and I really pushed hard to try to plan a party. It worked.  "Bruke" decided to join us and the Tuckers.  They drove up during the day on New Years Eve, in time for the boys to get a little work done on the jeep.

Sometimes I don't love this big old thing in our garage, but most the time I love it, because it makes all these boys so happy.

 I was grateful to have some more time with my little sis too!

Amy and I both put together some yummy appetizers that we all enjoyed throughout the evening.

We played fun games like Headbandz and Charades with the kids before celebrating with them at 10:00. 

Poor Wesley had a run in with Cade's head moments before the countdown started.  He was pretty tough.

It was a very loud couple of minutes!!  BOYS!

 

Then we sent the kids to bed and started the real game -- Settlers of Catan.  It's been too long since we've played and I'm still not convinced the Tuckers really wanted to, but we had an opportunity to play without children around so we took it -- and I won.  Brought back good memories of our days in Virginia when we would play with our friends all the time!

We smooched our honeys at midnight, finished up the game and hit the sack.  All the Tucker children transported nicely back to their beds!

The next morning we enjoyed gingerbread waffles for breakfast. The boys took the jeep out while our tummies had settled, and then we headed to the rec center for some racquetball.  The men had a great time.  Britt and I spent some time on the elliptical and then attempted a racquetball game.  We were pretty entertaining!  I burned plenty of calories laughing at myself trying to move my pregnant body across the room fast enough to get the ball.

We had a yummy ham dinner before "Bruke" had to hit the road back to Twin Falls.  It was a great start to a New Year.  Thanks for driving to join us "Bruke".  And thanks for helping me host Amy.  Love you all!

Red Christmas Tree Party

Aaron's grandma is one of the sweetest little ladies. She remembers every birthday, anniversary, etc. and also sends the most heart felt gifts.  One of her favorite traditions is her Red Christmas Tree party.  I got to participate in one when Aaron and I were dating and assumed we've been missing out on them all these years because we've lived away.  But this year was the first in several years she had one, so I was excited we were around and able to go. 

 I can't believe the amount of work she went through to prepare this little party.  I special bag for each individual with tickets inside for each activity to participate in.  And a special gift on the red tree for each of us.  She's amazing!

 Fun to interact with all the cousins.  My favorite part was singing all together.

Unfortunately, when it came time to leave, our car didn't want to start.  We were so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family though.  After some trouble shooting, we ended up loading into Uncle Lewis's big 12 passenger van and left ours with him to find a mechanic.  We got to drive the big beast to Twin Falls that night and Boise the next.  A week later, after ours was fixed Lewis met me in Twin to switch back.  Pretty slick for what could have been a huge headache.  So grateful for family!!

Christmas 2013

Christmas morning was pretty exciting at our house!  The boys could not wait to go downstairs!

Santa made it!

Caleb was so cute with his tools.  He wanted to help everyone open their presents with them!

 

 Wesley got right into character as he opened each present.  I love that about him!

 

I think this was taken the night before, but I had to make sure it was included. We loved having Aunt Richelle with us!

  Pretty fun to have "Bruke" with us too!

The scooters were a big hit.  Especially with Caleb.  He got right to it.

We had the boys open a special present...

After the presents were done, we enjoyed some yummy blueberry French toast and then hurried to pack and get in the car to head to Twin Falls.  We made it in time for dinner with my family.  My mom was pretty excited about her gift to us.  Aren't we cute elves?  The boys got some too, but I can't seem to find a picture.

It was a very Merry Christmas.  Grateful to be with family.


P.S. The boys really got into this song this year. I kept trying to get a video of it.  Here are a couple tries:

 

Christmas Eve 2013

Christmas Eve was a party at our house.  Brittany, Luke and Richelle came to join us!  Wesley was dying to watch the Grinch with his dad so that was first on the list when they got in town --- the boys had already watched Charlie Brown Christmas that morning.  So fun!

 Dillon was excited to build a gingerbread train with his aunts.

 

We had a yummy dinner and then sat down together to read through the nativity story.  Caleb wanted to carry the manger.

The boys loved snuggling with their aunts.

 We sang songs with our talented accompanists!

 Then onto the fun -- the pajama parade.  First time in our own home.

Pretty blurry, but that just helps you realize how fast we were moving.  Ha ha!

 It is such a fun tradition that we've adopted from my in-laws.  Richelle was such a great sport to join in our craziness.

 

 

 Before going to bed, the boys were sure to say goodbye to Eddy our elf.

Children make all these traditions and celebrating so magical.  I'm so grateful for my 3 boys and so glad my sisters could join us for this special day.