Boys & Their Toys

I went downstairs today to mop the dance floor, and when I came upstairs, I couldn't find the two boys. I opened the door to survey the yard, and in the corner (where there was an abundance of mud) I see two little boys. I can hear "Oh man, I'm gonna get stuck", and "not me, I can make it through this easy squeezy." Then I see the boys come around the corner on two tiny trikes (one that only has one handle). Then I hear Jensen say "Watch this - I am gonna make it up this mess." And he pedals with all his might (as the plastic wheels are spinning out about every other pedal he takes.) Then he "plows" through a bank of snow and into more mud. How funny. Both of these cute boys can ride bikes, but it was so funny to see them and their imaginations at work. For all I could tell, they were doing some serious mud bogging on some serious atv's. Too cute! I am so glad that I am at home to watch these precious moments in my kids' lives. I feel so blessed. (Someone remind me that I said then when I am cleaning all the mud up !!)

Flashback!!

Okay - total 80's flashback!! I about died today when I saw these shoes - I just had to take a picture! Who can't remember high tops and "cool" shoe laces. I knew we were really going back to the 80's when I saw stirrup pants for sale in the clothing department of our local store, but this put me over the edge. Holy Cow. Someone please help me the day I see see slouch socks for sale!!!

Way to go!

The Royals had a competition this past weekend in Richfield. They performed all three of their competition routines, even though we had just finished one the day before. I just wanted to let them know how proud I am of them. They did great!!

Happy Birthday Bro!!

It's your birthday . . . .It's your birthday . . .!! (I can see you doing the birthday dance in my head right now.) Happy birthday big brother!!! In honor of your birthday, I have put together a little birthday montage. I have included a picture for each year of your life (the last picture of your family doesn't count.) I was tempted to put a picture of taz, nintendos, and basketball on but I refrained. I was also tempted to put right said fred or crash test dummies for background tunes, but alas, alack, I did not. Anyway - hope this takes you on a trip down memory lane big brother! Just want you to know that I love you, miss you, and think you are a great brother!! Love ya!!

Happy New Year

Last night we went to BJ's parents for the annual New Years Eve party. A long time ago MarDawn started having parties and her house - and we have since outgrown it. Merlin and Louann were nice enough to let us all invade their house. Tradition goes: we all bring pizza (usually homeade - yeah for the Bosch!) then we eat yummy pizza. Kate and Troy Palmer and family came and brought with them a "plethora" of party food! Tradition holds that we play a game of New Years Bunko - and boy do the kids love it. (Watch Jensen's face closely in the video). Brittany did great, Brooklyn had several bunkos, and Jensen was just hilarious to watch!! After bunko and prizes we still have snacks (there was SOOO much food) and we all play games. Uno attack, go fish, and rook were a couple of hot games last night. A couple people have naps while we wait to ring in the new year. We gave the kids noise makers and they woke up the neighborhood! They were so loud!! They ran up and down the streets blowing their noise makers and yelling "Happy New Year." Part of the neighborhood was awake and lighting fireworks - for the rest of the neighborhood - sorry!! Thanks everybody for a great night!!!

Chef Benny Strikes Again

Chef Benny strikes again. Chef Benny . . . aka Jensen . . .loves to bake. (Kind of reminds me of high school musical - tough boy likes to bake . . .) I was SOOOO lucky and got a bosch for Christmas thanks to BJ and Mr and Mrs Clause. I have wanted one for a LONG long time, but never thought I would have one. I was getting ready to settle for a hand me down kitchen aide. However, the heavens opened up and santa got it to fit down the chimney. Anyway - I have been a bread baking fool since I got it, and Chef Benny is my best helper!! He sees the projects through from start to finish. If the girls start to help me bake, they don't really stay enthused through the whole project, but Chef Benny does!! He is great!! Yesterday we made cinnamon rolls to take sledding and to Louanns for New Years Eve. He did a great job, and they were DELICIOUS!!! (He is also really good at eating everything he bakes!)

Snow Much Fun

We have spent the past three days playing in the snow. We have a spot where we really like to go here in town. There is a lot of room for plenty of paths down the hill, and the hill isn't too big for kids to climb back up all on their own. My kids have wanted to go every day, so we call the cousins and off we go! One cousin doesn't even like to use a sled - she calls herself "the penguin". She would sled down the hill just on her coat (it was a pretty slick coat.) Another cousin even used her for a sled a couple of times. Jensen like to ride the sleds like a buckin' bull. Brooklyn just had fun doing anything. The first day was a little bit cold, but it has been great!! The hot chocolate helps to to take the chill off!! (What snow day would be complete without hot chocolate?) Jensen has been making cinnamon rolls to take too! We had a pretty good snow fort going - and the kids wanted to make it into an igloo - but somehow it looked like too much fun to just destroy what we had built. (Imagine that.) Too much fun!