Thursday, April 18, 2013

Andrew's First Klondike Derby

Ben took Andrew to his very first Klondike Derby.  It was at Cooney Dam, and my understanding was that they would camp overnight, and then do little stations around the lake.  However, Ben must have strategically forgot to mention that the activities were not by the lake -- they were on the lake.  I was still recovering from back surgery, so who knows if I would have even noticed, but had I been of sound mind and body AND known that he would be running and sliding on an ice-covered lake, I might have changed my mind about the whole thing.
 
Apparently, it was safe enough, because everybody came home safe and sound.
 
I'm not sure exactly what they did, but I do know that Andrew helped make breakfast for the whole Ward, and something happened with some sort of sled.  It's probably best that I don't have any other information.
 







Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

It was so nice outside just before Easter (it's been snowing and awful this week, but that's just normal around here).  Andrew and our neighbor, David -- he's really more part of the family than a neighbor, and he is here almost every single day, playing with the kids -- decided to set up an Easter Egg Hunt in David's back yard.
 
They hid 47 eggs filled with candy.
 
We found all but one!  It's still missing.
 
We got started in the front yard, found a few eggs, then moved on to the back.
 
 
After the boys yelled, "Ready, Set, GO!", Matthew was a little confused, but still excited -- so he just ran really fast in circles until somebody went over there and straightened him out.





 
Grace, Matt, and Joey all shared their candy after the big hunt was done.  We've been eating candy for weeks now.









Sunday, April 14, 2013

PROM!

Haley went to her first Prom last month.  She was invited by a really nice boy, Alex.  We thought they made a cute couple!
 
Haley had fun shopping for the dress and shoes and accessories, and luckily found them all in time.  Alex worked hard to make sure he matched.  He did a great job!
 
They went out to a farm with some friends to get their pictures taken, had dinner at another friend's house, and then went to the dance.  Being a bunch of Mormon teenagers, they only stayed a little while at the dance, because they didn't love the way others were dancing, or the music that was being played.  So they went off to another friend's house to play board games.  It was a fun night!
 


St. Patrick's Day

The kids were really excited the night before St. Patrick's Day to find out what those crazy little leprechauns would do.  Well, they were very naughty this year.  They left footprints leading to all the kids' rooms, where they planted big, wet, green kisses on each of the kids' faces.  They also used the facilities, as they do every year.  They added a bunch of green Styrofoam to the cereal. And they turned the milk green, one of their favorite tricks. But this year, the kids must have been very good, because they were left a big pile of gold chocolate coins on the counter.
 





 
We also enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day parade.  We sat in the sun and ate our Wendy's lunch, and gathered up a whole bag of candy!  I think Matthew waved for about 20 minutes straight.  He figures that must be what you're supposed to do during parades, so that's what he does!




The kids were stunned to see a two-level Wendy's restaurant.  They thought it was pretty cool!
 

Joey Day

Joey was baptized in February, and we put off his birthday party because of it.  We had a hard time coordinating when friends could come for a party, and when there were event places open for us to come and celebrate.  So, we finally gave up trying to put it all together, and just decided to surprise him with "Joey Day".  We had a cake and some presents waiting for him when he came home from school.
 
I told him he could decide everything that we did for the rest of the day.  He chose to go to his favorite restaurant for dinner, Fudruckers, where he enjoyed a big, juicy half pound burger.  Then we decided to go swimming at the indoor pool at our fitness club.  We rounded out the rest of the day with video games.  It was a pretty good surprise for him!
 




Friday, April 12, 2013

Pinewood Derby Time!

Although Joey just turned 8 and entered Cub Scouts, this was not his first time competing in the PineWood Derby.  He is already a former champion, and this year was no different!  Instead of entering the open class, he was able to compete against all the other scouts, and because of his awesome skills, he took 2nd place!  He was very proud of his car, which he did all by himself.  The kids had a great time watching him win!  Our neighbor, David, came with us.  Matthew was fine, as long as he had his DeeDee.
 








Thursday, April 4, 2013

Joey's Baptism

Joey was baptized on February 9th this year.  He turned 8 on the 3rd, met with the Bishop, and was ready to be baptized!
 
This was our first experience with Stake Baptisms.  Apparently, February is a big month for birthdays, because Joey was one of 9 kids being baptized that day.  Luckily, our ward was in charge of them that day, so we were able to have our Bishop Rogers conducting, our music leaders, and speakers from our Ward.  We also were able to be the last ones baptized, so we didn't feel like we needed to rush.
 
After Joey was baptized by his Dad, we all met back in the chapel while Joey got dressed.  Joey had put his after-baptism bag on the ground by the font before he got dressed, so Ben sent a friend to come get me because Joey had nothing to change into!  Luckily, a man standing next to the bathroom heard our predicament, and quickly located the bag with Joey's clothes.  That was a close one!
 
Everybody in the chapel wrote little notes to Joey, which he keeps in his new scripture bag.
 
Afterwards, we had everybody come back to our place for some treats.
 
It was a great day!
 
 
 
After Joey got dressed, he didn't quite know what to do with himself, so he just followed Daddy around like a little puppy.  It was so cute.



 



 
And while Joey shadowed Daddy, the other kids played hide and seek, and basketball in the gym until it was time to start.



 
And, of course, turning 8 means starting cub scouts!  Joey is our newest little Wolf Scout, and he loves it!