a ski day

This is sadly the only picture I have of my boys (Ethan, Aidan, and Gordon) as they headed up to Mt. Hood for a surprise ski day with Dad.  They all played hookey from school and work and dad won the day as the hero.  They were so excited!  It was a wet day, and even rained on them, and all the snow clothes were SOAKED, but Aidan and Ethan were both heard to say, "this was the best day ever!" and "can we do this every day?" and other such things that helped us to know it was wonderful.  You swig that hot chocolate Ethan. . .

Upwards Basketball

Aidan is on a fun basketball team right now.  We have been so impressed.  It is run through a local church (Mountain Park Church) and they use the "Upwards" program, which is basically just sports, but with an emphasis on Christianity.  It has been such fun.

They start each game with a big blow up tunnel (see below) and a fog machine, and the kids run through it while they announce their team and names, and they high five everyone on their way to the court.  There is of course very intense music playing here. . .  to really get you in the mood.

 They have a prayer before the game, and a devotional at half time for the parents while the kids are having a meeting with their coaches.

And after the game, every kid gets a star to put on their shirt.  Aidan got "most Christlike" today for being really good about sharing the ball and making sure everybody got enough ball time.  He's also received an offense star, and a sportsmanship star. . . you get the idea.

Anyway, it's just been such a fun program.  I recommend it!  The Ref's are really serious about making sure the kids are following the rules and teaching them along the way.  The practices are fun, and the uniform is out of this world!  One of the best parts for us. . . it was very affordable (and included the uniform!)!  We love Upwards Basketball!

Fastest in the Pack!

 Last night was the PINEWOOD DERBY!!!  Our cubs had a really exciting derby this year, complete with a fog machine, spot lights, racer intros, the national anthem, finger food, and lots of racing!  Here are some photo highlights. . .

Here's most of the cubs lined up, we didn't do a tournament bracket this year, it was all run in heats, and each boy got to race about 10 times.  We have about 25 boys in our pack.  I think they all had a great time!

 Here is Ethan watching his car, "Jaws" come across the finish line, FIRST!  Ethan and Dad really stepped up their game this year.  Prepping the axles, even drilling new holes for them instead of using the pre-sets.  And apparently it made a difference.  Ethan won almost every race he was in.

 I did a lot of running around with papers, heating of hot dogs, herding of boys, and generally trying to be helpful.  Thank heavens we had some really enthusiastic men on our team this year, they really put on a good show.  (and also thank heavens there were some women involved.  Heidi and I have a knack for catching things the men don't think about, like you're going to need paper plates to eat on.  And the hot dogs should probably be warm, not cold.  Stuff like that.)

 And here is Ethan accepting his award.  First for "best car that is not a car," (it's a shark).  And then, he got the final award of the night. . .  drum roll please. . .

FASTEST IN THE PACK!!!

That's right!  All of their hard work really paid off.  What do you think?  Is this the happiest face you've ever seen?  Great Job Ethan!!!

tiny twirler

So there is a gal in our ward that runs a cute little dance class for girls.  Emilee got invited to join, and the other night I was chatting about it with Gordon and Ethan overheard the conversation.  So, Ethan ran upstairs and told Emilee, "You get to go to ballet class!!!"  Then Emilee proceeded to get her tiny ballet shoes from a year ago that no longer fit, and her tutu, and ran downstairs singing, "I'm going to ballet!!!"  She was ready to go right then.  She's been ready to go for 6 months!

Well yesterday Grammy outfitted her with a little leo and some shoes that fit, and I must just show you the joy that ensued.  She spent about an hour in the afternoon prancing, and another right before bed.  She asks constantly when she'll get to go to class, and keeps hoping today is the day!  Here are some photos. . .

 It's so nice to have a brother for your accompanist, who is willing to step in at any time with a little "blue Danube."

be still my heart. . .

"I heard!," said the bird!

Over the last little while I have:

-been taking more naps than I have in the last 3 years
-been eating like a ravenous wolf
-been sleeping 9 hours a night
-went to the store once for ice cream and cones, and forgot the cones.
-eating sneaky snacks in the bathroom stalls at church on Fast Sunday
-and smiling a secret smile. . .

. . . because I've had a little secret to smile about!  It will be a big round secret by August 4th.  That's about the time that he or she will be joining the party.  Yea!

Grandpa's:  You are officially released from your vows of silence!

The kids are excited, we're excited, it's exciting!

P.S. - Chandler wants to name the baby, "Robot."  I claim veto power.

the red toille dress

Let me start by saying, that either I'm an incredible seamstress, or. . . maybe I have some sizing issues to work out.  I'll let you be the judge!  Back in 2009, I made this darling dress for Emilee just in time for Valentines day!  It was a little boxy around her middle, but I figured a little growth room is good, and by no means was it ridiculous!

 and because I planned ahead, and put in a nice 4 inch hem, I let it down the next year, when she was almost 2, and she got a little extra wear out of it!  Isn't she a doll?

 And here's my dolly today!  In the same dress I made for her two years ago, and while it's getting a bit shorter, it still fits her like a charm, only 6 weeks away from her third birthday.

So I'll let you be the judge.  I am either a genius, or I need some lessons in sizing!!!

the Great Wolf Lodge

Well, it's about time I got back on the blog-wagon here, don't you think?  We'll kick things off with a report from our fun trip up to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA.  This trip was a reward for finishing reading the Book of Mormon as a family together.  It took us almost 2 years to get through the 530+ pages, but we did it, always with this trip in sight at the end.

Unfortunately, we do not have too many photos, because we were all having way too much fun to walk back and forth between our room and the water park with cameras.  But, Grandpa Wilde did bring his in the second day and we got a few pics in the alligator pool before the batteries died.  So. . .   Here we are!

 Back in our room

 When you only weigh 25 lbs, you need lots of snuggle time in warm towels if you're wet all day.  Even if the interior temp is a balmy 84 degrees.  Luckily, the towels were unlimited, and trust me we used our share!

 Climbing on the Sea Serpent

This was such a fun family trip!  The kids loved staying in a family oriented hotel (it reminded me of all things disney) with things to look at around every corner.  And EVERYONE rode enough water slides to satisfy.   Such a fun place to go!