Cousin Time

Stoke's donuts are becoming a breakfast constant at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  I think it might be encouraged by Dalanie's love to get up early and go with Grandpa to get them.  (Maybe it reminds him of the early morning wakeup calls from her mom.)

 

If you can keep the devices out of sight long enough, they play and have a lot of fun together.  It is getting less and less chaotic to be together as some of the kids are older and can function without a nap.

 Grandpa put together an egg hunt for the grandkids.  As tradition has it, each kid was assigned a color and those were the only eggs they could legally put in their bag.

Hudson was more interested in chasing the chickens . . . what came first, the chicken or the egg?

 Dalanie loves to help all of her little cousins.  You will most often find her walking around with a child on her hip or holding one of their hands.

 Of course, she was the self-nominated one to get the precariously placed egg on the hanging basket in the window well.

 All the daffodils were bursting open with cheery anticipation of spring.

After the hunt, the kids got to redeem their eggs for coupons.  Some coupons were for little goodies, but some were for bowling and pizza!!

Bumpers and ramps got their use with this crew.  Bowling ten frames with all these littles soon lost it's appeal.  But everyone stuck it out so they could get some pizza.

It was a fun time together.  Thanks Mom & Dad!!

YMCA

For Evelyn and Natalie's birthdays we gave them a coupon for rock climbing and frozen yogurt.  It ended up being such a fun way to spend time together.  I'm a big fan of experiences over plastic clutter.  

Our kids had been before, so they showed the girls the ropes- literally.  At first they were both pretty apprehensive, but they started to warm up to it.  Of course, it helps when your belayer won't let you down and helps hoist you upward.

 They cheered one another on and the chant, "Don't stop 'til the top!" was born.

It was fun to watch the progress.  Evenly climbed to the top of the highest wall in the kid's climbing area.

Pretty soon the kids were earning toppings each time they climbed to the top.  Ruby and Dalanie scaled right up the big wall in the main climbing area, several times.  They qualified for 7 or 8 toppings but I think I put a cap on them.

It's so good for kids to accept a challenge head on.  They gain so much confidence and such a sense of accomplishment.

 The proud climbers!

Climbing the Ladder

Cleaning the office, although one of great importance, has become slight punishment (to all those involved.)  It's like pulling teeth to get them to tackle to floor.  I have even bought a backpack vacuum and lighter mop hand to help out, but it's still an overwhelming job.  Whenever possible, they sneak out into shop.  

It's funner there...there are boxes to play in, bubble wrap to pop, rollerblades to wear, and wiggle cars to cruise around on.

 Or maybe it's just climbing the ladder and being able to keep up with your brother.

 Dalanie is no longer content to be the cleaning lady.  She wants to use power tools, wrenches, and work with the guys.

Hudson is good to help show her the ins and outs of row cleaners and firming wheels.

Sigh... It looks like I've got a long life of cleaning the office ahead of me.

Practically A Man

 Brent and I were talking about Hudson's upcoming birthday one night after the kids had gone to sleep.  Brent had the realization, "Eleven years old, he's practically a man!"  I told him to slow the train down and that he couldn't be lamenting about manly things until he turned 12, for now he was still a kid.

His cinnamon roll is looking pretty lit up and very green and festive.  I don't know if his little smirk is from the thought of eating it all by himself or the wish that he is making. . .

It's always a fun day to dress up in green.  Family reunion shirts to the rescue all around.

 After school we went up to look for this kid a workbench.  After searching high and low, we found a good one at Lowes.

The next day, I backed out the car and left him alone with the instructions.  He needed a bit of help on the drawers and with holding things, but he got it put together largely by himself.  He was so excited to have his own space in the garage.  It makes a pretty nice workspace for him to tinker and fix.

We decided we needed another one to more efficiently use the space.  So he got to help put another one together.

Pinewood Derby

As Hudson's last pinewood derby approached, we joined forces to create a timeless car.  He used his dremel skills.  I used what little carpentry skills I had and we kept whittling away at getting the right shape.

He sanded and painted while I cut out vinyl.  And here is the finished proudct: Doc Hudson.

The fancy aluminum track, digital time, and instant replay always make it feel like such a bigger deal.  

Unfortunately, the car looked better than it ran.  But in our defense, we had a lot of fun working on it together.  Too many Dad's make it their pinewood derby.  I hope Hudson will remember the fun we had bringing Doc Hudson to life.

Gymnastic Date and Skiing Party

Grandpa had asked Dalanie on a date to the USU gymnastics meet.  And since Brent had to go make to Minneapolis for his trading training, we all packed out bags.  Delhi's preferred method is just to empty all the drawers of her dresser.

 Millie came along too, but Dalanie felt pretty special to have a date with Grandpa.

The rest of us crashed at Stephen's and B taught Hudson a things or two about Skylanders.

 On Saturday, Chod and I took the older kids skiing at Beaver Mountain Ski resort.

 I was the slowest skier.  Only Ruby was kind enough to make sure I had someone to ski with, otherwise they all would have ditched me for Chod.

 It was a fun day.  The kids decided that it is definitely funner to ski with cousins.

Blackfoot Art Center

Towards the end of the year, the girls and I were all a little tired of spending our Friday's @ Paunie's studio, so I decided to take the girls to the art center while the others were at gym.

Linlee and Dalanie got a watercolor lesson.  After the fact, I think they would have enjoyed the creation station more.

These two budding artists LOVED their time creating masterpieces.

 It's not like I don't have craft supplies, I just would go crazy if they had it strewn all across the house.  They were pretty proud of their creations.

Shop Days

It's true, the older you get, the more warped your sense of enjoyment becomes.  Take for instance our Saturdays during that winter spent at the shop.  Kids get dirty and tired, no housework gets done, and we work for a full day.  But these days are the ones that fill my heart so completely with a love for this family of mine.  We grow closer together and learn to enjoy doing things that aren't really that fun.  My chest nearly explodes with gratitude for work and family and parents working beside me while raising us.  These are the days I have truly come to cherish.

This kid is sure handsome in a hat.  His growing hands are becoming strong and able. 

 The girls love when they get to stock the shelves in the parts room.

 Of course, Alan always makes things a party.  Him and Hudson sing their hearts out to the radio.  It puts a little lump in my throat when I think that he won't be around next year because of a mission.  We have grown to love and appreciate Alan.  He's been a great mentor for Hudson to work alongside.

 And don't let me fool you, it's not ALL work and no play.  The treats are always abundant and lunches low on vegetables over at the shop.

 As the day wears on, breaks become more frequent and the kids usually have some sort of wheels beneath them whether its a ripstick, rollerblades, or scooter.

Spirit of America Recital

Everything about this recital was a lot of fun.  Who doesn't like to sport some red, white, and blue in the dead of winter?   And patriotic music has such a special place in our heart.

 The kids do so much better than I ever did.  I am glad their teacher has always invited and given them opportunities to play in front of others, so it's not that big of a deal for them.

It was a duet recital, so Hudson and Dalanie were able to play Stars and Stripes Forever,  together.  They did well.  You'll have to check out the video.