Bryson's First Pinewood Derby

We have calculated that Scott will participate in 15 Pinewood Derby races over the next decade plus. Each boy gets to race 3 years in Cub Scouts as a Wolf, Bear and Weblos. Bradley's official racing days are over but this year was Bryson's first. I'm not sure who was more excited--Bryson or Scott! They didn't get started on the car as early as others but in one week they built one fast race car! If you have boys and haven't seen "Down and Derby" you need to see it. My house didn't get quite that chaotic--but a close second. They did take the car wrapped in towels in a box on Racing Day. It was heard to be said that they should give the awards out during Priesthood Meeting the next day since some of the dads went a little crazy.



Here is Bryson and car Pre-Race time. It turns out there is a whole Pinewood Derby Market of tricks and secrets to make your car perform the very best. A little scary and hilarious to watch the whole event unfold!


Bryson's car ended up racing great! He won 1st in his Den so I guess that means all the trade secrets and insanity paid off. Can't wait until next year. . .

Brock and the 3rd Birthday Nap!

For Brock's 3rd Birthday I thought a Toy Story theme would be fun. He had just gotten Toy Story Lego for Christmas so we used those plus some Thomas the Tank Engine train tracks to build a cool center piece. (Special engineers for the job were Bradley and Grandma).


Close up of the poor Alien on the cupcake who is about to be run over unless Woody can stop the train in time!


Since Toy Story is all about the toys I decided to put a twist on the build a Mr. Potato Head idea and let the kids build cupcake people out of different candies.


The glich was the Birthday Boy was really tired and grumpy and pretty much refused to open any presents. Never saw that one coming! A nap was the end result while the rest of the party goers enjoyed the party without him.


We took pictures of everyone's creations. Megan build a chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and yellow M&M's. Totally Megan!


Adam just had an enjoyable feast of candy and chocolate cupcake!


Katelyn used the toothpicks to give her cupcake guy or gal a leg to stand on! I think she built/ate 3 cupcakes in all! You Go Girl!


Ali used some pretty high-end decorating skills on her creations.


Regan decided to go for a very 3D look with Airheads standing up out of the tops of her cupcakes.


Love this picture of Jake ready to devour the whole table!


Blake showing off his green vanilla cupcake with blue M&M's from the inside out! Makes a mom proud!


Bradley's cupcake weighed the heaviest I'm sure. No hesitation on his part to utilize the candy layering option.


Bryson pulled a double decker vanilla cupcake monster out of his imagination complete with big red eyes on the top.


A couple of hours later Brock decided to wake up. Although at first he was still not completely into opening presents, he eventually came around and had fun with this Super Why Hover Toy.


Little Super Why people up, up and away!


Zoom!


Since we were taking the whole birthday thing step by step, it wasn't until the next morning that Brock blew out his candle on his Alien Cupcake.


He was a little nervous at first but finally got the candle blown out.


I did it! And apparently Woody did stop the train in time because the Alien Cupcake is still standing!

Dashing Through December

Christmastime is one of my favorite times of year! Everyone tries to be a little nicer, a little more patient and more thoughtful. It's also one of the busiest times of year which can make being nicer, more patient and more thoughtful really hard! But after all the end of semester projects and dance programs were done it was nice to have some time with my family to just BE.

Among the many Christmas happenings we took the kids into my Dad's office (he's my OB-GYN) for the ultrasound to find out what kind of baby we were having. The boys were very anxious for a sister. Blake made it very clear that we had enough boys in the family and that he wanted to name the baby Emily (after a friend at school). When the ultrasound tech confirmed undeniably it was a boy, Blake and Bryson both said "Noooo!" Blake followed that with telling the tech and my dad that we should name the baby Emily anyway because that would be funny! After we got home and the news settled for the boys Blake came to me and said we should name the baby Rockstar. I told him that was fine but we might have to change his name after he was born. We even put Rockstar on his Christmas stocking!

But back to Christmas. Here are my cute boys all dressed up after Christmas Sunday.


Bradley


Bryson


Blake


Brock fell asleep on the way home from church so here we are sort of still in Sunday clothes after his nap.


Boys and Penguins


So cute and sleepy Christmas morning!


Let the unwrapping begin!

After all the Christmas Festivities were over we still had a week left of vacation and a fun visit from the California cousins--Jake, Regan and Alli with Aunt Flower and Gene. We spent one night at Amazing Jake's playing around and eating tons of food!


Chase took Brock on this little teacup ride. He loved it! Head banging and swirling and all!


Blake, Bryson and Bradley on the train. It's cute and goes around in circles a million times. They love it!


Jake and Alli in one car and Katelyn and Regan in another go on a really fun and fast--forward backward spinning thing. I clearly have no idea what the real name of this ride is but it looked intense!


Although it might sound crazy to buy snowballs, this was one of the funnest activities I've done with my kids. We had a giant snowball fight courtesy of Bahama Bucks and their ability to make really good snowballs! Here is the girls team ready to aim and throw.


The boys team was equally confident in their abilities!


Bryson and Jake


Regan (running in the back) with Katelyn and Alli.


Brock was the smart one gathering up more ammo!


At some point the boys decided to use the lids from the coolers as shields. Nice engineering boys!


Blake is just having a good time. This was taken before he got pelted in the head by a snowball!


Megan running to attack some unsuspecting target!


Kaley trying to show off her mad skillz!


Brock and Adam were totally content picking up all the snowballs on the ground and putting them into whatever container we would give them. Sooo Cute!


Apparently at some point Brock got hungry.


Adam is trying to decide if Brock is an Evil Genius or completely Insane!


Guess I was a little hungry too! I blame the hormones.


Brock with a mouth full of snow. I think he ate more than he threw!


Now he's concentrating on building instead of eating.


Two of my cute boys and their little pile of snow. Life's simple pleasures!