Blake's Last Pinewood Derby

Blake is a Webelo Scout now that he is ten years old.  This is his last year to race with the cub scouts in a pinewood derby.  The past two years he designed an animal car to race.  This year he decided he wanted a silver race car with a Lego guy on top.  The back was a bit too heavy with the weights on it so it didn't do so great.  Brother Sandstrom turned it around so then he it took first place on that race.   Blake was happy with at least winning one of the races.  Blake really likes scouts and hanging out with the boys in his group.

It was impossible to get a picture without these boys eating their cookies. 

Keeping the Tooth Fairy busy!

Madison lost her first tooth!  She was so excited.  A few weeks earlier when she discovered it was wiggly she was scared it was coming out too soon.  She wasn't totally ready to loose her baby teeth yet. We reassured her it was fine and after time she didn't worry about it any more.  When it finally came out she was so excited to get the tooth bag from school.  The next day Blake lost a tooth, then Madison lost her second front tooth and the the next day Blake lost another tooth. The Tooth Fairy was very busy and unfortunately forgetful too. One night it rained and I guess she can't fly in the rain so she had to come the next night and did you know that if your room isn't clean she doesn't come either.  They tooth fairy better stock up on small bills and quarters!

Last day of winter break!

This year the kids had three weeks off for winter break and than the first two Mondays off of school.  They had a lot of time off!  It was fun to do lots of stuff and not have a busy schedule.  Although was ready to have them back to school so I could get our house back in order and organized after Christmas and our trip.  Before going back though we  decided to take them to Disneyland for the day since it was a staff day in our district and it would be less crowded.    It wasn't very crowed at all and we  ran into lots of people we know which is always fun.  It is always also sunny and warm!    These fun characters are always fun to have a Disneyland..  We love that we can ride most of the rides now together. 

Our Little Sunbeam

Abby is getting to be so big.  She is no longer in nursery at church and is in the Sunbeam class now.  She is so excited to be with other kids in primary.  All four kids are now in primary together, it goes so fast.  She loves her teacher Sister Lange.  She is the only girl in a class full of boys so she gets very spoiled.  We are so lucky to have such great people helping to teach our to choose the right!

The Snowman Story

 My parents have had this snowman along before I was even born.  He comes out every year.  It just isn't Christmas without him.  He has always been famous at our house and now he is famous in Utah!  Someone working for an advertising agency for the Deseret Industries saw it one day and asked if they could borrow it for a photo shoot.  Now it is all over Utah on dozens of billboards and even the Utah Trax that takes you downtown.  Everywhere we drove we played, Where is Grandma's Snowman.  Of course I never remembered to get a picture of the billboard.  Oh well.  This picture of Abby and the snowman is way cuter anyways!

We had a great time on our winter vacation.  We figured we hit seven states while we were gone: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.    It was very busy and fun filled now we are headed home for a well needed rest, especially from the car!!! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Leaving the Winter Wonderland and back to Utah

 We had four fun filled days in the snow outside of Yellowstone and now it is time to say goodbye.  The kids LOVE playing in the snow.  They would have been very disappointed to ringin the new year without  a little snow play since Utah had nothing this year yet.  Thank you Robin and Paul for the condo and Grandma and Grandpa for carpooling with us. Now we are headed back to Utah so Daddy can get a snowboarding run in on the not so perfect Utah ski slopes and I can visit my favorite shops in Salt Lake before heading back to sunny California.  Where we heard was 89 degrees on new years day.  It was between 12 and 34 degrees for us!  The kids definitly experienced a winter wonderalnd!

Sleigh Ride through the Elk Refuge

Before leaving town we took a sleighride through the Elk Refuge.  We got the last ride just in time before the sun went down.  It was only something like 18 degrees so we bundled up with blankets.  There are something like 3000 elk three roaming around.

They are very amazing creatures.

 So are these two!

 Hailey wouldn't stop giggling about their lighter colored behinds.
 Rare to see thesee two actually getting along.  Some how being around animals puts Blake in a good mood.

 She is so cute!  She was very quiet on the ride but as cute as always.

 The females which are called cows stayed on one side and the bucks or males stayed on the other side.

 Grandpa and Grandma were super bundled up.  We thought Grandpa was a little silly but probably warmer than the rest of us.

 Blake thought it was pretty cool to see them sparring, especially since he takes a sparring class at Taekwondo.  The sounds of their antlers hitting each other was really cool. 

 They let the kids pet the horses that pulled the sleigh.  I thought the ride was super bumpy.  Apparently I had the worst spot in the back of the sleigh because no one else thought it was bumpy at all.  I really appreciate no one offering to take my seat for me that knew it would be the worst spot, especially since I was the one with the camera.

 Hailey was styling Grandpa's wind blown hair on the bus ride back to the visitor center!  Grandpa rockin the Mowhawk!



Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Today we spent in Jackson Hole Wyoming.  We spent some time shopping around the famous elk horn square.  Then got lunch at a Steakhouse where we had elk burgers.  We had to experience the true wild west! 

 We were in line at the restaurant and I turned over and saw Blake and Hailey mimicking the wooden bear.  Funny kids!

I also had to pick up some flap jack pjs for the girls.  I knew there was no way I was getting Blake in a pair. Hailey and I had a good laugh the stores looking at the different logas on t-shirts and underwear.  Hailey is also the only one that doesn't throw a fit about wearing hers.  They aren't girly enough for Abby and Madison just says they are plain "stupid".  Party poops!

Abby's say "bear cheeks, Hailey's say moosecaboose and Madison's say "bear bottoms".

Day Four: Leaving Idaho onto Wyoming

 On our way out of Idaho we had to stop at the giant potato and get a picture.  It is not anywhere you see a pooh- tater, only in Idaho!

Wyoming was only a 20 minute drive over the mountain pass into the city of Jackson Hole where we spend the day.  It was another beautiful snow filled valley.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the cutiest little skiers on the slopes!

Girls First Time Skiing Videos

Day Three: Skiing Targhee Resort in Idaho

 Today we went skiing in Idaho at theTarghee Resort in  Idaho. 

After ALL the prepping we were ready to go!

 It was Abby's very first time. 

Blake and Hailey, who consider themselves experts, were all ready to give them some pointers.

 Skiing was free as long as we stayed on the  magic carpet slope. It was a pretty steep hill so the kids were content there.

 Here is Madison and Uncle Kerry going down.  The first few times Uncle Kerry and Daddy went down with her.  This was her second year skiing.

 Hailey really wanted poles.  She spent hours get going up and down.  She was determined to become a great skier.  She is ready for the big hills for sure with Blake and Todd.
 Blake is really good now!  He said he is almost ready for a snowboard.

 Grandpa was the kids biggest cheerleaderr.  He hung out on the top of the hill all day cheering them on!

 This was Mandie's first time too.  She did great until the last few minutes she fell and twisted her knee.  Luckily it is fine but the ski patrol made her go down in the back of a snowmobile laying in the sled bag.
 These two little girls LOVED it!  I thought they would be out for 30 minutes and stay in the lodge the rest of the time with Grandma and Aunt Robyn.  They lasted the whole day!  They had to kick us off the hill!

 Abby had no fear.  Todd would have to run down to stop her.  She loved going fast so she wouldn't turn her skis in.

 She finally got it!

 Daddy was so proud of his youngest little skier!



Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for waiting around an watching us ski.

It turned out to be a really fun day!