Pinewood Derby 2012

Looks triumphant doesn't he?

We had a great time.  The boys were all great sports about winning and losing. 

 So hard to lose. 

Nathan even got to race.  He was dead last.  Can you believe that?

Isn't that cute.  His dad does something similar when he is focused.  

Here is Wesley winning one of the heats.  Oh how they celebrated.  

But in the end it was him and his car in the middle of the pack.  Oh well.  It was lots of fun.  His design was a butterfinger.  Turned out really great looking, not so much on the fast side.

He received the "Sweetest" award.  Awe

Wesley's birthday

Oops this one was before Wyatt's party.  Feb 15th Wesley turned 9.  He is a sweet brother and we are glad to have him.  He wanted Finn and Jake decorations.  

Happy birthday our sweet Wesley, Happy birthday to you.

Valentine's 2012

Of course the idea was from pinterest.  Pretty fun.  I used to have pictures on my phone of the final product but I guess I erased them.  Oh well.  You get the idea.  Dum Dum sucker inserted into the outstretched fist.  

We had to do them quick and so I didn't get to take them to some wonderful place with a nice background.  Front yard.  Yay (unenthusiastic) 

The boys all liked the result and passed them out.  I guess they weren't too cheesy.  Although I doubt I will be able to convince Tyler to do it this year.  He's now in Jr High. What do they do in Jr High for Valentines anyway.  I have a couple things to learn.  New experiences on every horizon. 

Oscar as usual doesn't make it easy to get a picture.  Love him anyway. He is a great kid.  

My babies are all so sweet.  Little Valentines. 

Below is Nate and I at our 1st Valentines after we were married.  So 1998.  Long ago.  

Gilbert Temple

This is the time for pictures I realized this week.  They are going to have the exterior of the temple finished by May and then it will all be the same until it opens.  Oh I guess they will have landscaping change.  But no more inside looks until Oct 2013.  So I will take pictures in the months to come.  I love HDR for this.  I can take the picture in broad daylight and still get lots of detail.  This is the back of the temple the South facing part of the building.

This is the front of the building. 

SO EXCITING.  

Wesley is brave

I dye my hair.  Not ashamed to say it.  So when I last did it I had some left over.  I hated to pour it down the sink.  I can't waste PG (perfectly good) hair dye.  I went to the top of the stairs and called down to the boys individually and asked if they wanted their hair dyed.  Oscar said no.  Burton said no.  Tyler said no.  I know better than dying yy or Mitter's hair.  First of all they would get it all over and then I would have Nathan mad at me.  He says they are the only boys with his coloring.  Even though they aren't red heads.  Blonde is not brown like me.  ha.  So I asked Wesley.  "Please Wes, let me do it."  He said ok.  I think this was out of pity.  He is a tender boy.  So up he came and in no time at all the deed was done.  Yay.  Now Nate really does have one with some red.  Ok it isn't his color red.  Yes that is how his hair looked until he was about 35.

I asked Wes out side so I could get some pictures and Tyler chased him around the yard.  

goof balls

Thanks for playing along Wesley.  He went to church the next day with a cover story.  If any one didn't recognize him he said that he was Barney our cousin from out of town.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Ryan and Allison's new house was the

 perfect place for our party this year.  

We had lots of yummy food

We get together with all the Livingstones.
They are such a fun and talented family.
And we have the formula all figured out for
Christmas Eve.  #1 everyone brings delicious
food. #2 Tons of kids. #3 They have all the
costumes for the nativity play.
Completely authentic.  And all the kids can be in it.
 I am telling you, it is a huge wardrobe. 

We had a fire pit out side.  

Getting ready for the nativity play.  Takes longer
than the play.  There were minimal tears if
I remember correctly.  

Little Mitt was pretty entertaining during 

the performance.  I will get the video for the play done soon and get it on youtube.  

What a sweet little scene.

Wise Men
The great thing about this family is the
singing.  After each part of the play we
sing the appropriate song.  Silent Night,
Manger song, Joy to the World.  And  We
have all the parts being sung beautifully.  It is
so fun to be with all those great singers.  

Me mom and Jujo, Lindsey and Tessa.
Lindsey had that little peanut on Nov 1st.
She is looking amazing.  

Group picture after the donning of the
 traditional matching jammie bottoms.
Allison makes them for everyone.  Yikes.
There were 23 kids at this party.
Multiply and replenish.  Family motto.
The grandparents didn't get in the shot.
I think they were just standing back and
gazing at their prodigy.  Quite an accomplishment.  

New Years 2012!

New Years was spent on New York Time.  So we were done at 10:30 and in bed by 11:30.  I am getting older every year.  Ok I know that is actually a statement of fact but I never thought it would happen to me.  

The Nickle Family invited us over for the evening and we played and ate til we would bust. And I got to take some pictures.  

These turned out so fun.  I wish I could have taken more. 

Yy and the Nickle boys. 

Oscar and Burton didn't make it out with shoes.  Oh Brother what are they doing?  At least is wasn't as cold as last year.  Yikes. 

Timer on and I made it in the picture.  I love Wesley in these. So Animated.

Ha this picture.  I don't know what I was trying to do besides stand very still.  There was actually kid running all around but too fast for the shutter ha.
It is going to be a great year.  Hope to accomplish alot and save money.  Our main goal.