Lean Bean

     King David recently had a birthday. This lean bean turned 6 last Thursday and I think this is going to be a great year for him. He's at a good place right now. David's learning a lot at his fancy-pants school about presidents, different parts of the world, math and quickly becoming a better reader at home. He likes to be crazy and have fun, but he also knows when to turn it off. He and another boy in his class are the tallest in their grade but David gets along with all sorts- younger, older, boy, girl, it doesn't matter. He still loves to build with Legos but has also enjoyed learning to play basketball with Zach and Gabe. As soon as we can get our Mondays back from basketball and spring break he will be starting piano with a fabulous pianist in our ward who also happens to play for choir. David is still a great huger and baby holder. I hope he never grows out of those two qualities. I love, love, love this little boy.

Why on earth he asked for another construction toy, I'm not quite 

Word to the wise: DON'T EVER DECORATE WITH BUTTER CREAM frosting. It is too soft and makes a gooey mess.

 Just stick with the shortening even though it tastes gross. 

Friend James from school 

Jack

How did I miss them playing Terminator. If I were a good mom I would have stopped the game instead of taken a picture

The family that plays together stays together

Bye Bye Alex

     If you haven't already been introduced, meet Alex. He was our 2000 Ford Taurus. I say was since he recently met with an untimely demise two weeks ago. We acquired him a mere 2 years before when Ethel, our Honda Accord, bit the dust. Alex wasn't perfect, but we still loved him. The heater didn't work so great and the AC worked not at all, but he ran just fine. I was also informed on one occasion that his turning radius was wider than a work dump truck. (Thanks Roger Jr.)

     The accident happened while taking Gabe and David to school when I made an 'invalid left turn' on yellow in front of another vehicle. Technically the wreck was my fault. The glare from the sun was so bad I never even saw the other car until it hit. Everyone in both cars was fine, although the passenger in the other vehicle was less fine since she wasn't wearing her seat belt and hit the dash board with her head. Ouch! The insurance companies called it an 85/15% fault since the other car didn't do anything to avoid the crash and were probably speeding. I'm the one with a head ache of my own now from the aftermath of the storm. The mechanic did an estimate for damages and it would have cost more money to fix Alex than he was worth so we decided to sell him for parts. Poor Alex. Poor us. Poor Zach who is currently looking for a replacement car with not a lot of success.  It is all very embarrassing and this really is the gift that keeps on giving in terms of towing costs, citation, court date, lost CSU parking sticker etc. Hopefully I've learned my lesson and won't ever get in an accident again. One thing is for certain, I don't drive that way to school any more. 

The Big 10

We have been blessed with a stellar set of sister missionaries in our ward here in Fort Collins and our family has had the opportunity to have them over for a few meals. Each time they come, this dynamic duo leaves our family with a short spiritual message . Last time they taught our family a way to remember each of the 10 commandments with hand signals using 1 finger for #1, 2 fingers for #2 etc. If you are curious ask me about it some time and I'll explain the system in more detail. Better yet, ask Gabe about it and HE can do it for you perfectly. I'll be sad when these girls get transferred.  They are doing a great job here building up the kingdom in so many ways. 

A gal I visit teach come to join in the fun 

Valentine's

This year for Valentine's my sweet husband made me a can holder for our garage wall. Isn't it great? Don't my cans look organized? The boys were his tool shop assistants and it turned out great. Hurrah for food storage. 

 Gabe came home from his classical education school yesterday not only with a bag full of candy but also a story about the Greek roots of valentine's day and the naughty cupid who makes people fall in love.

 These were Zach's gifts from me- A puzzle to do together (a true gift of love since I'm not much of a puzzle doer), something for his sweet tooth and some maple syrup.  There was of course the traditional homemade apple pie and some shrinky-dink tie tacks with pictures of all of us so he can proudly sport his family wherever he goes.

The boys all got thrift store game classics and Ruthie received some nail polish. She had the proper adorable 2 year old response to go with it, "Ooooooh I love it. My nail polish". And I love all of you family!

Herding Cats

This year is our first experience with organized basketball for both the older two boys. Zach volunteered to coach the 6-7 year old rec team and he has likened it unto herding cats. I can see why. Their focus isn't exactly laser sharp yet. No score was kept but if you read our family letter you know that Gabe and David's team never even made a shot much less scored. The other team put up a good 10 or 12 points I would say. They are still fun to watch when I'm not corralling the younger three. Better luck next time guys. 

It is too early to learn positions so they play man on man. Just checking to
make sure everyone knows who they are guarding

David working on his passing

I feel as though this shot is fairly representative of Gabe skipping through life like a butterfly. Not overly concerned with the game

Smile

I love it when they start to smile and giggle. Lincoln is ticklish on his chest and will laugh when you rub your nose or chin on him. Seeing his smile makes me smile. 

His 'outtie' belly button. It is actually a little hernia but it doesn't hurt him to push on it and
the doctor thinks it will go away on its own within the next year. 

A little SLICE of heaven

Mac in the back row, light blue, peeking at the dough station

Adding toppings of choice

Ruth in the dark pink looking at the pizzas coming out of the oven

This is the first year that I've tried a mommy preschool group with any of my children and it has been wonderful. There are 3 girls and 3 boys in our group which seems to be just about the right size group. Once a month we try to do a field trip with the children and January's excursion was to domino's pizza. They even let each of kids top their very own (free!) personal pizza and watch it bake in the oven. Of course eating the pizza was Mac's favorite part. He wasn't even too ruffled when we walked out of the store and he dropped the box on the sidewalk spilling its contents. What's a little sidewalk dirt when you have pizza at ten in the morning? 

Good Little Witch of the North

Dressing up with older brothers is a favorite pass time of this good little witch.