PInewood Derby

We had busy plans this week, that came crashing down with the stomach virus.  We all finished up the bug by Wednesday but Michael went down on Friday.  I couldn't be two places at once so Uncle Tony came to the rescue and took Dallin to the Pinewood Derby.  Dallin did awesome and took 2nd.

I felt bad for missing it.  Leah had her last gymnastics class.  She is learned a lot and really enjoyed it.

We had rain all week.  Finally Saturday afternoon the rain stopped and the sun came out.

This is what happens when you are cooped up all week. I just can't say no to playing outside when it finally stops storming.  

Race and Evan's early Birthday Celebration

Jenny and I ran the Love your City 5k, a friend of mine help to put on.  It was down pouring rain and cold.  It was a fun, flat course.  I ended up winning first, but there were not a lot of people running.  

Evan's Birthday isn't until the end of the month, but this was the last day of the dinosaur exhibit.  We had a great time there with family.

We got to play on the dinos.

The dinosaurs roared and moved.

We dug for fossils.

Evan said we were walking to fast at first.

He made us take our time and watch every dino.

Joshua wanted to pretend to be eaten.

This one sprayed the kids.  They loved it!

Evan wanted a dinosaur cake.

When Evan gets excited he flails his arms and jumps up and down.  I love it!  He did this a lot yesterday!

We will still have his favorite dinner and a dessert for his actual Birthday.  We had a fun day hanging with our Texas families!

Leah Birthday and awards

Leah asked for a chocolate cake with strawberries.  Easy enough.  

Leah loved her presents.  She loves so many things that she is pretty easy to buy for.  

She asked for a spaghetti dinner and the family to hang out with.  She is such a delight in our house.  She is kind, loving, creative, artistic, and smart.  She loves Junie B Jones books right now.  She is practicing gymnastics right now and will be starting soccer soon.  We love having her in our family!

Leah had her First grade program and it was so cute!  We all really enjoyed it.

Michael camped out with Joshua on his first Scout camp out.  They had a great time!  I switched him out half way through the final robotics competition for Dallin where he was given the mentor of the year award.  Dallin was pretty proud of his Dad, just like we all are.  He is pretty awesome!

A snippet of Leah's program below.  They were so cute and good.  Miss Todd decorated so cute and had a balloon drop.  I so want Evan to have her as a teacher next year.

Trouble Maker, Race, and Dance

This kid loves to get into everything.

He moves the chair to the counter and reaches everything.  I went to get dressed one morning and saw this.  

Nothing is safe.  He is crazy. lol

We have monthly outings with the kids.  This month was busy and Evan wouldn't let me put off his Mcdonald's date to when Michael would be home to watch Aaron later this week.  He knew it  was Jan 31.  I guess that is what I get for teaching him how to use a calendar.  Aaron had to come with us.  

We ran a race on Saturday.  It was fun and a cold one.

Leah even ran this time!  They all did great!

For Leah's birthday we got her a gymnastics class. She had her first class yesterday.  She loved it!

She had the Daddy Daughter dance with Michael on Saturday night.  I gave her a few presents early in case she wanted to wear for the dance.  She requested to open presents without her brothers.  ha ha She was sure they wouldn't care about her girly stuff.

The dance had a cowgirl/cowboy theme.  They both looks so cute.  They had a great time.

The boys and I stayed home and made pizza.  They each made a different shape.  It cracked me up how they pick different shapes.  ha ha

Leah will have her dinner and cake later today so I'll post next week about that.

Family Photos

Jessica took our pictures just before Christmas.  She is did a great job!  I didn't take any other pictures this week, so I thought I would just update on each family member.

Leah is loving school. She hates homework.  She is smart.  She loves to read and write.  She has read many Junie B Jones books.  She is starting a gymnastics class next week.

Aaron is my crazy kid.  He climbs up everything.  He digs in every cupboard.  If he can reach it he will play with it.  He loves hanging with his siblings.  He loves to play outside.  He only says a few words, but he is working on them more and more.

Joshua just decided which middle school to attend.  He still has an orientation next week.

 He will have to choose between band, choir, or orchestra.  He excels in math and science.  He has to work a little harder at english.  Michael and I aren't that much help there either.  We recently had to help with deciding what meter a poem is in.  I am not good at that.  lol  He is running fast in the races we do as family.  He was the second fastest scout in the mile.

Dallin is a very hard worker.  He is very naturally athletic.  He loving robotics right now.  He has placed in the top ten in all of his competition.  He loves to run in competition as well.  He has placed 3rd in the last two 5ks he has ran.

Evan is so ready for kindergarten.  He always says he is five, even though he still has another month.  He is sounding out words and loves to add and subtract.  He will test in kindergarten in April.  I am hoping he will be Magnet eligible.  He idolizes his older brothers.  He plays well with Leah as well. 

I am busy at work and chasing kids.  I try and get miles in when I can.  I have loved trail running recently.  It feels like I am escaping the city every now and again.

Michael is busy helping with everything.  He is a great volunteer at the school.  He helps with Scouts.  He is helping with a start up business on the side now as well.  He stays busy with work during the day. He plays basketball once a week.  

We are blessed and doing really well.  It should be a good year!

Trail Running

I took Michael to nearby dirt trails.  It was really fun.  We ran for about an hour.  Michael did so good for never running more than 30 min.  I love that he will indulge me with his time doing something I love.

At the last DRC race I got these new shoes!  I get to run on them for a few weeks and then tell how I like them.  It was sweet to get free shoes and a good excuse to go running.

The kids were busy and school and I didn't take any other pics.  We had friends over a few times this week, so I feel good about being social.  ha ha

Awards and Robotics

Michael put up his basketball hoop.  They have been having fun playing with it.

Last Sunday at dinner Aaron had a pea stuck on his nose.  It was pretty funny.  

Leah did awesome last 6 weeks at school.  She was gold honor roll and highest grade in reading.  She is awesome!

Aaron knocked over the trash into the living room several times that day.  He definitely keeps me on my toes and than some.

Evan went to preschool two times this week with his cousin.  I guess it wore him out a little.  He will just do one more week and be home with me again.  He really has enjoyed going to school.  He only had to wait 8 more months, and for now he gets to read at home with me.

Dallin had another robotic competition.  Joshua decided to go and watch this one.  Dallin's teammate didn't show up, so Joshua stepped in.  They ended up placing 6th. Dallin debuted a new robot for this competition as well.  He is really getting into it and it is fun to watch.