Pinewood Derby 2014

Adam and Matt participated in the pinewood derby in April.  This was Matt's first one.  Neither of them were thrilled to be there.  I don't know why--just a bad case of  "party-pooper-itis". 

 At least Gavin was excited to be there. 

Science Fair

Adam participated in the 5th grade science fair.  And won it!  He initially wanted to build a maglev train---that is a magnetic-levitating train.  When I did a bit of research to learn what a maglev train was I learned that there is only one in the world--in China.  And the Germans and Japanese are still working on the engineering to build one.  I told Adam there was no way I could build one.  We then talked to his teacher and he too told Adam he needed to "dumb" down his project.  So, Adam's second choice was the make and test different metals as electromagnets.  He tested zinc, iron and steel.  Iron nails are no longer made so we had to track down some antique ones on Ebay.  He worked hard on his project, and we're proud of his efforts. 

March Wrap-up

I don't feel like I do a very thorough job of blogging but I try.  It's my way of journal keeping.  It's not perfect but at least it's something we can look back on.  My sister-in-law told me about the website www.blog2print.com. I've used it to publish our blog into books.  The boys enjoy reading through them and remembering events from our past. 

Anyhow--as for March--here are the highlights.

1.  I signed Gavin up for preschool, starting in August.  He'll attend the same one Adam and Matt did.  He'll go MWF, in the afternoons. 
2.  Lots of potty-training happening at our house.  FINALLY!!  Gavin will be 4 y/o in May.
3.  I visited the Colby and Scott City wards for my calling.
4.  We had stake conference.  Which for me means holding leadership training for all the relief society presidencies.  Which for me means lots of planning and work. 
5.  Went out to dinner a couple of times with our friends, Cory & Kim Mills, and Lance & Amber Palmer.  We've all become quite good friends and do a lot together.  Kim, Amber and I served in a relief society presidency together, and then right after, Cory, Lance and Robert served in a bishopric together.  Our kids are friends--so it's been fun.  It's really nice to have good friends.  
6.  Adam did his first science fair project (more on that later).
7.  We watched Steven and Jackson Mills for a couple of days.  Their younger brother, Russell (Gavin's best friend), had eye surgery in Oklahoma City.  All of the boys had fun.  We don't do sleepovers, so this was the first "sorta" sleepover for our boys.  They all had a good time--and want to do it again. 
8.  Matt's basketball team won their tournament--1st place!  Matt really had fun playing on a team this year.  Their record was 5-3.  I'm sure this will now be an yearly activity for him. 
9.  Earlier in the year Matt was tested for the gifted program.  We got the results this month.  Although Robert and I wanted him to do it, Matt DID NOT!  He was begging us not to do it.  At the meeting, we found out he did make it into the program.  We talked with his teacher and the principal about how Matt felt, and we decided not to make him to do.  When we came home from the meeting, Matt asked what happened.  I told he made it in but we decided not to force him.  He was so happy that he jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug.  I figured we had made the correct decision after seeing his reaction. 
10.  Lastly, Robert signed a lease on a new office.  It is on the main drag in town, less than 1/2 mile from our house.  He gets to move in on May 1st.  We're excited.  Here's to hoping for increased business!

Spring Break

Our Spring Break this year was low-key.  We stayed here in Garden.  Robert had plenty of work, and I had church commitments on both weekends.  We tried to do something fun each day.  Matt went to a birthday party for his friend, Jace Korf.  I took Matt and Gavin to the mini-golf course.  That was a first for us.  I didn't even know there was one here in town.  I took Adam and Gavin to see the movie, "Mr. Peabody and Sherman".  That was quite fun.  It was cuter than I was expecting.  Going to the movies is an activity our family likes to do.  We went to dinner one night and rented videos another night.  Adam and Matt had friends over and went to friends' houses.  And then the NCAA basketball tournament began so lots of basketball was watched.  We each did a bracket and posted them on a wall.  Even though it was a quiet spring break, it was nice to have some time just to relax and not have to worry about traveling. 

Out of the Mouths of Babes....

Gavin is at the age that he says the funniest things.  His verbal and cognitive skills are developed enough to remember and repeat what he hears--he just doesn't always understand what he's hearing.  So, he ends up saying things that are quite hilarious.  Here's a few that he's said recently.

One night at dinner Gavin stood up in his chair and announced, "Trust me, trust me--I'm not getting any younger."
Last month Gavin started wearing underwear.  On the first day, he told his brothers in the morning he was wearing underwear.  They excitedly said, "you are?"  Gavin stuck out his bum and replied, "yeah--feel it!:

If I'm telling him something he doesn't want to hear or do, he has told me, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

If someone is in a room alone, Gavin will walk in and quietly say, "smile--you're being watched!"

Estes Park, Colorado--Girls' Weekend

In February I went to Estes Park, Colorado, for a girls' with my sister, sisters-in-law, and stepmom.  We had a really nice and relaxing time.  We slept in, had nice, leisurely meals, browsed the shops, watched movies, drove around Rocky Mountain National Park, and even attended the temple.  It was a nice weekend to get away. 

The Rockies

 

 



 

Holly (sis) and Alexis (sis-in-law) showing off their "climbing skills".

 



 

The condo we stayed at.



Gavin & Russell

 

Here is a picture of Gavin with his best friend, Russell Mills. 

These two are so cute together. 

They're very affectionate with each other--always hugging one another.

I took this picture at a ward activity.  They were flexing their muscles for me. 

Notice their dirty faces.  They had just finished eating stew and chocolate cupcakes.