Pinewood Derby

Tyler participated in the Pinewood Derby this past weekend.  He designed his own car, painted it, and did the decals all by himself!  He was especially proud that all of his decals were "symmetrical" (how many 8 year olds do you know that use that word?)

Didn't he do a great job?

I LOVED watching the anticipation...

And his reaction!!!

Tyler ended up taking third place!  He also received his Wolf badge, 1 gold arrow and 2 silver arrows that night.  He was so excited and we are all very proud of him.  

WAY TO GO TYLER!

Church sports

Travis partially tore his achilles tendon about a week and a half ago playing (what else?) CHURCH BASKETBALL!!!  Church sports are officially off limits to him after this year.  He wrecked a canoe this summer with the scouts and got a brain concussion after playing football with the elders on Thanksgiving.  

He doesn't have to have surgery since it is only partially torn, but is in a cast for 3 weeks followed by a walking boot for 3-4 more weeks.  It's going to be a LONG 6 weeks!

I wasn't kidding

When I said in my post that I am addicted to Kate, I wasn't kidding.  We were eating dinner the other night and as usual, I was holding Kate.  Travis came and took her from me and said "This is ridiculous.  She has got to learn to sit by herself".  Emily looked at Travis and said "Who dad?  Mom or Kate?"  Silly little girl!  The funny thing is, she was serious!

2008

I cannot believe that another year has come and gone.  

I thought it might be fun to take a look back at my top picks from 2008.  

10.  Hardware Ranch.  I had almost forgotten that we went to Hardware Ranch last January. It was so much fun!  It reminded me of when I was a kid.

9.  Gavin.  Gavin has a special way of making things very memorable. He is always into mischief (that's a nice way of saying TROUBLE!).  You really have to be on your toes when Gavin is around.  Although he takes lots of my energy, I wouldn't have him any other way.  He makes my days more exciting and is the sweetest, happiest boy I have ever seen!

8.  Emily started kindergarten.  I can't believe that she is big enough to be going to school.  She loves it and is doing great.  She is making lots of new friends, reading, writing and learning math.  Where does the time go?

7.  A great summer.  I spent tons of time with the kids this summer! We spent time at the swimming pools, splash pads, duck ponds, zoo, parks, picnicking, biking, fishing, camping.  The kids also played baseball (Travis got to coach Tyler), and soccer (I got to coach Tyler).  Lots of good times!

6.  The birth of 2 new nieces.  Welcome Maren (Dustin & Connie) and Lucy (Levi and Jamie).  I feel so blessed to have such a great family and am very lucky that someone always has a baby to hold :)

5. Washington DC.  We got the opportunity to go to Washington DC for Travis' job.  I felt really bad that he had to attend meetings all day and didn't get to see much, but I did lots of sight seeing.  I couldn't believe how much there was to see!  I really wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial and was a bit disappointed that there just wasn't time, but really enjoyed Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  I had such a great time and hope to go back soon to see and learn lots more!

4.  The 5k.  I ran a 5k with a bunch of my friends.  I didn't finish as quick as I was hoping, but I wasn't too disappointed, because I was also pregnant (yes, that's my excuse).  After I completed the 5k, I got to run the kids k (1 mile) with Tyler.  I was so proud of him.  He worked really hard and finished with no problems!  He wants to do a 5k this year (maybe in the fall), and I am planning on running the marathon relay with some friends.

3.  Lots of camping and fishing.  We used our trailer as a family for the first time this year and had such a great time with it.  We enjoyed camping, fishing, shooting BB guns, biking, hiking, napping and dutch oven cooking together! 

2.  Tyler's baptism.  Tyler was baptized by his dad in June.  We are all so proud of him for the decision that he has made and the example he has set for his siblings to follow.

1.  Kate.  By far the best thing that happened to us in 2008 is the birth of our baby girl.  Kate definitely completes our family.  She is such a welcome addition and we are lucky to have her as part of our family! 

We made tons of great memories in 2008 and look forward to an even better 2009!

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Day at Grandma and Grandpa's house sledding.  

The kid's had a blast with their cousins and uncle Dustin, who is just a big kid in disguise!

Kate

What a great time of year to have a new baby!  I was a little nervous to have a baby around Christmas, but it was so nice to be able to stay home and enjoy it all!  Kate is such a great baby! She never cries (unless she's in her car seat), and she has started to smile a little.  I have to admit that I am a bit addicted to her.  Travis always tells me that I need to put her down, but I feel much better when I am holding her.  I also need to admit that I found myself smelling her socks the other day... is that the sickest thing you've ever heard?  I wonder if they make a support group for people like me?  Check out this picture and judge for yourself if you'd be able to resist?

Our Little Angel

I wanted to post some more pictures of Kate.  She is such an angel, if I do say so myself!  I just can't believe that she is 10 days old already :(  She is a really good baby, and as you can see, we all adore her!

Tyler has been the one to surprise me.  I am glad to see that an 8 year old boy can have such a tender heart.  There is obviously a bond between Kate and Tyler already and I am so grateful that she has an older brother that will always look after her.  

Emily is a good little mother.  She has been such a great helper.  She loves to help give her a bath and is always right there with a diaper when I need it.  She says that Kate looks just like her (even though I think she looks a bit like Gavin), and cried the other night because she thinks Kate is growing too fast (I wonder where she hears that???)

I must admit that I was a little nervous about Gavin, but he has been really good (knock on wood!)  He loves to hold her for about 30 seconds and then moves on to something else.  He likes to talk t0 her, but always says the same thing... "Hey, Kate!" or "Hey Baby!"