Pinkwood Derby

Saturday was the Pinkwood Derby (a.k.a. Practice for the next 12 years of Pinewood Derby) and the girls had a great time! The girls wanted their cars to be longboards this year instead of cars...very cute! After spending hours last year sanding wheels and axels, Britton got online and bought two sets of matching wheels and axels! He was so pleased with his purchase! He spent hours "reading and researching" the ins and outs of weight placement. Pinewood Derby races and Church Ball... seriously brings out the worst in folks!

So while Britton was studying, so was Shane and Uncle Ryan! Ryan made cars right along with the kids! (Although his were in the true shape and form of famous old cars... not longboards! His car got 6 coats of paint and sanding between each coat!) HOURS were spent on these cars! We even bought a small table saw and sander to add to our supply! Ridiculous! It was seriously fun though... and we had some winning cars all around!


The autos and their auto-makers!

The Element of SURPRISE!

Today was another screening and testing for the baby. Being in the "older maternal age group" has allowed me to know more about this little soul than I've ever known about the other babies before they were born. As with the past screenings, each ultrasound has revealed this little one is a girl... but she has been too active to get a detailed look. Well, like in the past, this little one was moving around like crazy today, but this time evidence was obtained!

SO... first, for Britton, who was stuck in a Houston airport, awaiting his plane to get home, and missed this screening...take a look at your sweet little BOY!



The proof...



And to two little boys who are going to be so excited to hear the news of a new little brother... and two big sisters who will love him just the same...

"Hi guys..."

The Mod Squad

The kids were off school today for Presidents' Day and we took The Phoenix Zoo by storm with the Cowarts! The Dads had to work... so Jess and I braved it alone with the kids AND their bikes! It was so much fun! We saw a few animals... biked a lot... finished off a huge bag of kettle corn... and stayed until sunset! The funniest part of the day was watching Jessica and myself, independent of one another, load the bikes on the car bike racks by ourselves. I was quite certain bikes were going to come flying off the back of the car on the freeway! Thanks goodness they didn't! In all my stress to get the bikes loaded, I forgot my camera-- so this phone shot has to document the event.

Happy 9th Birthday Chlo-Bear!

Our sweet little Chloe' is nine years old!

Ten things we love about our Chlo-Bear...

1. Her amazing smile, with dimple's included.
2. Her amazing whit, always a one-liner to keep the family in stitches.
3. Her amazing basketball skills, tallest one on the team giving her the "Shaq" title.
4. Her amazing laugh, can giggle with the best of them.
5. Her amazing fashion sense, we like to call it "unique."
6. Her amazing competitive drive, been known to throw the cards.
7. Her amazing snuggles, loves the full-body contact loves.
8. Her amazing mind skills, able to quickly learn music, scripture stories and studies.
9. Her amazing ability to make friends with anyone, literally.
10. Her amazing confidence, ready to take on the world!

We love you Chloe' and are so lucky you are in our family!!!
Happy 9th...

Just in case...

Our blue recycle bin finally cracked through last week. We called for a replacement can and they promptly delivered this new and improved blue can. While taking the trash out last night, I noticed they added a few "Do Not's..." that didn't use to be on the old can.

SO... just in case you might feel inclined... please don't recycle your dead animals! (The really funny part is that it is obviously a big enough problem that the folks at the garbage division had to print it on each can! Yikes!)

Frozen Fingers

This morning, Aubrey played for the school Flag Ceremony in honor of President's Day. Last week, we were hitting 80 degrees. This week we practically need our ski parkas! Despite truly frozen fingers... Aubrey did awesome! Way to go kid-o!

Let' the Festivities Begin!

Last night was Chloe's birthday date with Grammie and Papa. They take the birthday child out for shopping and dinner all by themselves and it is a much anticipated event! Chloe' spent the entire morning telling us all the details! Thanks Grammie and Papa for a neat night!

We're a Bell Pepper

We have this website that the kids just love... mostly because they compare the baby to a fruit or vegetable each week. This is obviously very easy for them to understand and we just get a laugh out of it!

We're a bell pepper this week!

Swim Lessons

Today was Max's first day at swim lessons...and he survived! I know, most kids start lessons at 2 (or earlier in you live in AZ)... but Max wore a cast his first two summers due to his foot. The third summer he did have one round of lessons... but that hardly made him pool safe! So, we are getting a jump on summer and making sure this little fish is pool safe before the hard core swim season starts!

Here are photos from my phone... not too great! But NO tears! He wanted to know where his trophy was after his lesson. Man... some kids are just born with a competitive edge eh??