No more Pinewood Derby...

A little bitter sweet, but Chandler participated in his final pinewood derby this week! In many ways I am glad to not have to "nag" Derek to get it done, but sad that my little boy is growing up far to fast! He didn't do quite as well as last year. He did take 1st in a couple of heats, but did not place in the end. He had fun and that is all that matters! He thinks he'll make a car next year for the open races at the end. We'll see....maybe if I'm still in scouts he can make a car for me to race. Oh, his car was arrow shaped and painted it yellow. He named it the "Funky Chicken." Boys and their silly sense of humor...I don't get it!

And so it begins....AGAIN!

I don't think I realized when I married Derek how MUCH soccer would consume my life! I often feel like I eat, sleep and breathe soccer. Our soccer season has started again. Derek is once again coaching both Chandler and Addie's teams. He tried last fall to only coach one team, but I ended up in crap holes of tiny towns in Colorado while Derek stayed in Johnstown with Addie coaching her team. I did enjoy the time Chandler, Brinley and I had together, but it's always more fun when everyone is there. So....Chandler's practices started 2 weeks ago and Addie's will start up this next week. Chandler's first game is this Saturday. We are off and running. I do enjoy watching my children play sports! I am not much of the screamer mom on the sidelines, but I will on occasion scream hysterically..."SHOOT THE BALL!!!" We have practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's. Derek will be busy! I sure appreciate his willingness to sacrifice some sleep to make our children's soccer experience a good one! Here's to another great season! Thanks, Dad!!

That's MY diet coke!!

My little Brinley loves soda. She watches Derek and I until we put a soda down and then she pushes a chair over to wherever it is and starts drinking it as fast as she possibly can when we're not looking. Today I walked away to check my emails and here's what I found when I came back. My little girl drinking MY diet coke and watching nick jr. She's breaking 2 rules. 1. don't drink my diet coke 2. under no circumstances is she to have food or drinks in the family room. Little stinker!

our latest

Let's see.....It's been a while since I posted something on my blog. We've had a lot going on. We had a wonderful Christmas. Our most special event was that Addie was baptized on January 2nd. We had all of Derek's family come out for her special day and a nice sized chunk of my family (there's too many and we're all spread out these days :). I always enjoy visiting with Derek's family and to see all my cute little neices and nephews. It was a really fun visit, so thanks to all of you who came out for Addie's baptism!

We also finished basketball for Chandler. What a joke! He hated every minute it, but Derek and I felt he needed to finish up what he started, so we took him kicking and screaming (not really) to his practices and games. The last couple of games we bribed him with money if he'd actually try to make a basket. We are all quite relieved to be done with it. Now we have soccer signups next week. That is what really keeps us busy!

I have two calling in our ward now. I was released in November as Primary President. I didn't even get a week off, and was immediately called back to serve as a primary teacher. I teach the CTR 4 class. It is a large very young, busy group of little 4 year olds. I enjoy being able to interact more one on one with the children. I also am a Bear Leader in our scouting program. That one keeps me busy too. I am looking forward to a few of these boys turning 10!! Derek is still teaching gospel doctrine. I hear from many people he's a great teacher and they enjoy his lessons. I have yet to hear any of them:).

Brinley started Sunbeams this January too. She isn't quite sure what to think. I know she enjoys class time, but sitting in Sharing/Singing time, she often ends up on my lap crying. She's a little attached! She's always been a little weepy when it comes to things like this.

Chandler and Addie have another new piano teacher. Our last one I think quit without letting us know. I'm still waiting for her to call me back. That's ok, our new teacher is a lady in our ward who Chandler and Addie are thinking is pretty cool. She bribes them with candy to practice. I probably would have practiced more if I knew I was getting candy too!

Well, nothing to exciting to report on. We're all healthy and doing well!

Why??

We all use and love them....but sometimes you just wish you didn't have them....About a week ago, Brinley had the scissors and she was happily cutting up a piece of paper into itsy bitsy pieces. I was watching her, and glad that finally she found something to entertain her with minimal screaming and fighting with her sister. She had been cutting for probably 30 minutes very contently!! I turned my back for just a minute and then she came running up to me all proud of herself. In her hand she held a big wad of her hair! She cut about 5 inches of hair on one side of her head. I of course freaked out, which in turn made her cry. Wanting to make the most of the moment in hopes that it will never happen again began to scold her about not cutting her beautiful hair! After surveying the situation, I realized it could have been a lot worse. She could have cut her hair all the way to the scalp and not been able to take her to get her hair fixed at all. Lucky for me I just had it cut into a cute little bob (again). (Last time it was because of fruit stripes gum)At least it will grow, and she does look quite adorable with shorter hair! I can't help but think, why did I let her play with scissors?

Merry Christmas Peoples!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Cristmas Peoples!!!!! Thanks for the Happy Birthday. I had a really happy birthday last wednesday Dec. 16,2009. At my birthday party I got alot of stuff I wanted.Hope you get really wierd presents on Christmas!

Love, Addie


P.S. I'm kidding about you guys
getting wierd presents. It was
just a joke I wanted to do on
you Peoples!!!! So don't get mad.

Happy Birthday Addie!

I had this whole other thing typed out yesterday, but of course it didn't save/post. Addie has been driving us all near crazy over her birthday! She has been sooo excited for weeks! She woke up at 5 AM and could hardly contain herself until Derek got home from his paper route so she could FINALLY open all of her presents. Her teacher called me 2 weeks ago to make sure that in fact I was bringing a treat to her class on Addie's birthday. We love Addie's enthusiasm. There certainly are no dull moments when she is around. I honestly can not believe how quickly each of my children are growing up! I can't believe that Addie is 8 already. She'll be baptized next month! She started going to Activity Days this month, which she thinks is about the coolest thing ever! I am a mean mom and don't have friend birthday parties for my children. I do however let them have one when they turn 8. Addie so excited for that. I am doing that Friday after school. I am not a very creative party planner, so we are doing some crafty things (donated by grandma) and making gingerbread houses. I was trying to keep things simple and not very expensive, but I just don't think you can do a birthday party under $75 dollars. I'm avoiding mopping my floor, and doing much cleaning until after her party. I know my kitchen will soon be covered with powdered sugar, sticky candies, and who knows what else! It should be an adventure! Anyhow...Happy Birthday my big 8 year old Addie! We love you!

Here's a few pictures of her birthday party. (I barely made it....)