Fun and Games

The game was over and the boys decided it was time to have some fun.  We didn't have to be home right away so they had 5 minutes to climb the rock wall before the shut down for the night.  That was enough time for each one of the to take a turn climbing.

Thumbs up I think?

Ryder had to go first
and photo bomb from Dacoda

Dacoda's turn and with a little stretching
he rang the bell.

Both claimed their hands hurt and they were done.  We made it home just in time to enjoy cake with Blake for his birthday.  It was also time to play Exploding Kittens with the expansion pack.  Who knew that adults would enjoy this game.

Or should I say Dave
enjoys playing this one.

Instead of wearing the collar of shame he made it into a a hat.  Maybe we should call him Pope??

It was a busy day but we did see the sun for the first time in over 3 days.  Too bad it will disappear again tomorrow for what looks like another week of rain.  We might just float away.

Game 6 of the Season

Saturday arrived and with it another basketball game.  Our weather has been pretty drizzly all week which means not much outside time.  Thank goodness for indoor sports in January.  The boys were ready to play.  One problem no coaches!!!  The start time was 5:00 and everyone was running late.  The boys declared they didn't need a coach but soon were looking around for another someone to bail the out when the coach came running in.  

The boys were ready to run and shoot.

They were too busy running
that shooting became optional.

And more running

Maybe a little defense..thrown in for good measure.
They WON!!!! This week by 3 points.

Team cheer once they stopped moving.

High Fives all around

The smiles were bigger this week and the shouts could be heard outside.  They are starting to play together and even work together.  There is still a lot of traveling and crazy moves.  Too bad the refs are starting to call more things and slowing down the game.

One more game of the season stay tuned for next weeks fun game.

Cooking with Ryder

Ryder loves to cook.  That is an under statement the past couple of weeks.  I brought home a cookbook just for kids.  The friend that gave it to me had used it for her kids when they were younger.  She no longer needed it but suggested Ryder give it try.  He was so excited and soon had recipes marked that he wanted to try.  He is in heaven!!!!!

Sunday afternoon we gave the first recipe a try.

Peanut Butter Cookies

He read the recipe and had to do each step himself.

Yummy

He tried everything himself from cracking the egg, to scooping the dough, and finally sliding them into the oven.  The buzzer rang and he quickly took them out.  Warm and yummy!!!!

However, he slacked in one area the CLEAN UP!!!! That of course was left up to Mom to do.  I have to remember as I am cleaning up that small steps are the easiest to teach.  He is begging to let him cook again and this time he wants to do dinner.  Clean up will be part of the teaching next time.

Pinewood Derby 2017

They dropped the box off after Christmas it caught us all off guard.  How can it be that time already.   It was that time and there were two weeks to get the car ready.  Dave & Ryder worked together to build the perfect car.

Time for the weigh in and right on the mark.  Ryder received his Pit Pass to claim his car the next night.

Race time finally arrived and the boys were all anxious to get the show started.  The leaders decided that awards needed to be first.  The tension was in the air...who needed awards when there were races that needed to be won.

Getting started...the boys couldn't stay still.

BAM!!!!
1st Place in the his heat.

Who did they vote for??

When did Ryder's name change?
7th Place up from 13th last year.

Camera smiles

All the boys had an awesome time with lots of racing, yummy treats, and friends.  Everyone had a great time.  The awesome leaders out did themselves this year with the decorations, awards, and of course the yummy treats.

You could hear the chattering of little boys planning what they can do different next year.  Thank  goodness this comes only once a year.

2 For 1 Basketball Games

The New Year is starting off with basketball.  Saturday afternoons are full of loud whistles and even louder parents watching their boys play ball.  The stands can get rather intense with all the dads yelling instructions to their sons.  The boys ignoring everything but the ball.  They will kill for a chance to take the ball and score.

Defense and blocking
Much different than fouling.

Go Ryder
Still working on not traveling.

Team Cheer and High Fives

Each week you can see so much improvement and they won the second game.  It was by one point the other team tried to score in the final seconds and missed the first shot.  They quickly tried a second one and made it.  Too late and our boys won.  

High fives and shouts of happiness all around.  I think the boys floated off the court and out to their cars.  

I am so proud of their hard work and positive attitude!!!!  

Christmas Blues

The holidays are officially over it is time to take the decorations down.  Ryder was anxious to get started however, the sisters weren't excited at all.  In fact dragging their feet was more like it.  

Ryder went right to work.
Undressing the tree, I had to stop him from climbing it to reach those
pesky top ones.

The girls were in charge of all the other stuff.
Helping me pack the containers
Hopefully, carefully to avoid breaking thing.

It was time for lunch with Dad and taking a break from all the stuff that still needed to be put away.  Wendy's Frostys hit the spot.

Time to head home and finish cleaning up.   Ryder begged to redecorate and move the furniture.  I had to remind him that Dad would most likely to change it when he came home.

Let's try it was his reply.  

Finished and pooped.
Kicking back and relaxing.

Everything cleaned up

It looked nice and spacious.  Time to wait for Dave to get home and to give the thumbs up or down.  He liked it and only made a couple of minor changes.  Ryder with the look of satisfaction told me that of course he got it right he is Dad's son and just like him.

Truer words have never been spoken.  They are so much alike that they both wear me out.

It was time to relax before going to back to work.  The kids still had 3 days of Christmas Break.

Happy New Year.....2017

Time to party again it's New Years Eve!!  We had a busy day cleaning, shopping, and preparing treats for tonight.  We had the Teens, Tweens, and in the in betweens all sharing the basement.  We even had the parents getting into the action by playing games and watching movies upstairs.

The Teens had the theater room to watch movies and of course eat their treats.  Boredom soon set in and they were off the park to play in the rain.  Just when we thought they had moved on they were back.  To cold and to wet to stay outside for long.

The in Betweens

Ryder not quite a tween and neither boy a teen either.  They busied themselves with Minecraft.  Then harassing the parents for more treats and maybe play a game or two.

The Tweens

This group had nothing formally planned.  Instead the slowly gravitated to the tv room for a round of movies and begging for treats.

Everyone but Ryder made it to Midnight and the welcoming in of 2017!!!

We hope this year brings good health, good friends, and good times.

It was time for bed and celebrating tomorrow with 10:30 church.

Christmas Vacation...

What do you do when school has been out for over a week and you still have another week to go?  Ryder's crew are all out of town and the weather has been too wet to play outside.  He was bored out of his mind as well as driving Mom crazy with his constant chatter.  

He finally came up with a project he could do all by himself....Build a blanket floor!!!!!

After construction...
All the blankets in his closet, chairs, and a few book.
Sad puppy...to big to go inside.

Surprise!!!!
There he was and Ginger jumped when
the flash went off.

He had so much fun building, tweaking, and rebuilding all afternoon.  He is amazing to watch as he plans and completes his projects.  If only he can stay busy for the next week.

Christmas Morning Plus

Having early morning church that left us with all day still to play, eat, and visit.  The Wheeler's came to join in the fun of a yummy Christmas brunch, more presents, and movies.  What better way to spend the day.  Oh yeah maybe a nap or two here and there.

No way motorized paper airplanes.
Nobody better touch this present.

Boomarang Helicopters
Both boys have a new toy to play with today.
The salesman promised they were pretty tough and would last at least the day.

Gift cards for these girls
They love to shop.

It was a fun day filled with good friends, good food, and lots of Christmas Spirit.

Lucky for me my holiday is tomorrow so no work until Tuesday.  There is also another week of vacation from school for the kids.  Let's hope we all survive to see the new year arrive.

Special Gifts

This is a wonderful time of year and made even better when you see your children get into the Christmas Spirit to find the perfect gift for their brother or sister.

This year it happen early at the Dicken's Festival.  Reganne & Ryder bought each other's presents after listening to each other as they walked through the booths.  Each one had brought their own money.

Listening carefully, trying to avoid eye contact, and lastly hide their surprise so as not to give it away.

The excitement grew as it was time to open them.

Wooden Elastic Gun

Small Key Clock Necklace

They were both full of sheepish smiles and hugs.  I hope they continue to look for ways of surprising and making each other happy.

Christmas Morning...

Christmas Morning finally arrived!!! There was one problem Santa changed things up and wrapped all of his presents.  Ryder's task was to get everyone up, dressed, and ready for church before he could unwrap his gifts.  He begged, pleaded, and even nagged us to hurry up.

Our Elf's last message and mess of the season.

He was successful...

He got his Boogie Board

Wireless headphones & new gel pens.

Retro Adidas

Looking good in their new outfits.

Time to head to church and enjoy the special Christmas music.  Thank goodness this is our last week at 8:30 schedule.

The Old, The New, and The In Between

Christmas Eve is always a busy day full of old & new traditions.  We even have a few in between activities that could turn into an old one.

First things first all the presents needed to be wrapped put under the tree.  Dave had a few extra that he set on the table for something fun to do later.  It was time for lunch and an one of the in between things on our list.  Chinese food!!!  We have tried for 4 years to get this one to stick and it has been greeted with groans, sour faces, and picking at the food.  This year the waitress did listen when I ordered for 3 meals.  Everyone picked what they liked and ate.  We did have a few leftovers so Dave & I were happy we could have another quick meal later tonight.  This might be the last time for this in between tradition.

Next stop was the St George Temple Grounds.  The crowds were pretty light due to the rain that had continued to fall.  

Temple Step Picture
Not too far up this year due to rain
and not wanting to visit the emergency room from a slip.

Braving the rain for a picture
We had to have proof of the rain.

Time for a new tradition....A White Elephant Exchange...Build your Christmas Eve with what is the presents.  Dave read Twas The Night Before Christmas but with a twist.

Passing Right or Left
depending on the story.

Time to open
Each one had picked one that they really wanted to open.
Interesting they each ended up with the one they wanted.

Chocolate, Christmas Movie "Elf", checkers,
puzzle, and a family game.

Everyone taking a turn at the puzzle.
Ryder was the most determined and completed
half of it on his own.

This new activity may become our newest tradition.  It was going to be an early night to to early morning church.  However, we had a holdout who stayed up until the very last second.

Would Santa come?  Would we make it to early church?  Will everyone like their presents?