No school!

I packed up the kids and headed to Hill air force base museum.  I've never been there and have talked about going so today was the day since there was no school.  We made good time and got there in an hour.  

Sometimes at museums, my kids are really ready to get out of there after 15 minutes, but today they spent 2 full hours saying, "look at this," or "take a picture of this so we don't forget it!"  It made the afternoon really fun since they all had a good time!

Of course Grandma is always ready for an adventure!

Thanks for coming along!

They had a hard time choosing their favorite planes, there were two huge rooms full of either bomber planes or fighter planes.  The boys decided the best one was the "blackbird" which is made for speed and can fly 35 miles a minute.  We liked the video on that one!

Maybe one of them will play into my secret ploy and become a pilot so I can travel! or not.  Either way, we had a great day and are ready for school in the morning!

Love

So, maybe when you think of Valentines day, your thoughts turn to hearts, candy, flowers, love...but what about the Monster Truck Show?  Well, that's what these boys decided to do for the afternoon and they had a great time.  They went with grandpa, and of course uncle Jake and Brady who drummed up the whole idea!  They came home with stories and were very excited so it was a successful day!  Sadly, Paige and I had to respectfully decline the invitation to go!

 

Here's all the lone girls without a date for Valentines, while the men were away!  We did have fun and really, there is nobody quite like a sister!  You can have no real plans and silly the afternoon away!  (of course mom has now transformed into being our sista too!) 

 

We ended with a nice "romantic" dinner for the family and a double hitter of movies.  I'm always nervous cooking for Layne's dad but Layne and I won his praise!  I was sad to see this fun day end!  I love you!  (you people know who you are!) JoJo

Kids!

Even though Zach's birthday is in September, he was able to celebrate today. He had forgotten about a gift card from Target and it's really been burning a hole in his pocket since he found it last week. He searched all the aisles and settled on a hovering remote control aircraft. Well, we got home and the tears weren't far behind. On it's third flight he let Paige take the controls - right into the wall- and broke off a wing. It still hovers inches off the floor and so after a bit of sadness, he's back to playing. (I could've told him he was choosing a dud, but who wants something stable, like a board game?)

Paige admiring some of her gifts from her Valentine pixie.

Kyler did awesome on his first oral report ever! Mr. Milton S. Hershey was quite a guy, so if you'd like to know more, just ask Ky!

Trained Professionals?

Layne and I are halfway through our CERT (community emergency response team) training course.  We did some pretty cool looking bandages last night as you can see.  I wonder if he has a head injury or is getting ready to do saturday cleaning?

We are learning some good things but the meetings are long and some people in our class really like to ask a thousand questions!!  I entertain myself by writing notes to them to "Shut IT!" and then spend the rest of the time daring myself to pass it to them (which I never have done, YET!)

Let's just hope this big earthquake still waits a few hundred years!!! If not, don't worry, you're all in good hands!!

jam session

Don't be surprised when these guys are famous.  Just remember it all started in the living room.  They may need suggestions for a band name....

"It really Sucks!"

I think the dream was sparked over 10 years ago when we bought a house with a central vacuum system that didn't work.  Layne was determined that someday he too would live the "good life" of being able to vacuum to his hearts content.  Of course I like to put the brakes on his dreams sometimes, but I guess I never defused it completely.  He found a "great deal" (which he refuses to tell me the price)  and now is in process of tearing our house up to put it in the walls.  "Oh I'm going to love it"  he tells me with a dreamy look in his eye.  How can I resist such yearning?  I will admit that I do love the boys getting in on his projects.  Kyler spent a good part of his Saturday working with dad and Zach really liked going in the attic.  I don't know anyone else like Layne, he does make me laugh with all his quirky dreams.  I hope he vacuums 'til the cows come home!!!

The Cabin

New year's day at the cabin!  Becky, Mike and boys came up for the day and the kids had fun sledding!

Jace and Paige making angels! 

Does this look safe to anyone else?  The big 10 year old with the huge helmet on his little stick of a brother?  This was the last ride in this position! 

My mom and dad stayed the night with me since Layne had to work and I guess I'm not big enough to sleep alone.  They definately did make it so much easier and fun!  My dad kept the cabin toasty and helped so much and my mom gave the kids a great snowball fight and me the biggest laugh when she went sledding!  Oh!  She looked so funny and screamed so loud!  I'm laughing thinking about it now!  Thanks again!  Here's to 2009!!