Boys

Our boys are very active, they love to be outside and do just about anything to get out of the house. Even with the age difference one thing they agree on is skateboarding. If you drive by our street there are usually some of the neighborhood boys out on boards. David and Reid both lost skateboarding a few months ago. David was on restriction and we were in California. We got a call that he was on the way to the emergency room. Come to find out he was skateboarding while on restriction just hours after it snowed. Not the best choice on his part, a sprained ankle and an ER visit that reached way past the budget. Not to mention how stressed I was being 2 states away and not able to do anything or know the damage. Reid, lost skateboarding just a couple weeks before David. We found out that he climbed up on top of our shed and decided to skateboard off the roof into the neighbors backyard. He was so lucky we didn't have an ER visit out of that one. We found out as Mike was out in the garage building something. Dad took the circular saw and cut the board in half. After both incidents I let both the boys know they would NEVER skateboard again. They tried to bargain and even said when they turn 18 and are in their own house they could? I said, no NEVER again. Well for Christmas both boys had skateboarding on their list. Mike and I talked about it and did think that they could eventually earn skateboarding back. We weren't sure when but knew we would make them sign a contract and have some major rules.

Finally the warm weather (fifties) was killing them and they kept asking if they would be able to earn it back. If we had talked about it. Mike told them he wanted them to write a contract, make a power point presentation and a presentation that lasted about 20 minutes. We had dinner at another families house last night so we got home late. The boys were jumping out of their skin to give us the presentation.

Sunday night they also agreed to clean up the kitchen after dinner. They did all the dishes and did an amazing job. They've just had to sweat a little more with the presentation. They took the task at hand very seriously and had a great presentation. They have earned skateboarding back but we haven't told them yet!

(we took the pictures with a cell phone but just couldn't resist)

Reid's 12th birthday

Reid is our 5th birthday in the last month and a half. That doesn't include nieces, nephews, grandmas and grandpas. That would put well into the double digits. With being 5th out of the seven of us, we have teased to cancel his birthday or change it to June. We told him he might get better presents if he agrees but there is no convincing him.
Even after birthdays and Christmas he still got lucky. Finally the bike he has been begging for! (we are hoping the brakes don't come of this one). Unfortunately we have already had to threaten to take it away if it is left in front of the driveway one more time. By the smile we still think he likes it.
We have a rule that you only get a "birthday party" on even birthdays. This year it is Reid's turn since he is 12. He was able to invite friends over and they had pizza, cake, ice cream then went out for a game of laser quest. Reid even won the battle with a close second from Dad. Even though I heard there was quite a bit of pushing going around.
The kids with the HOW MANY times do we have to take this shot look? TIL YOU ALL SMILE!
In our Church when a young man turns 12 it is a big deal. They receive the Aaronic Priesthood and are able to pass the sacrament. This means no more zip up or clip on ties for Reid. He got his first "real" tie. Dad showed him how to tie it. I did notice that he didn't take it all the way apart on Sunday. He gently slipped it off and was able to put it back on when we went back to church Sunday night.

Haley's 9th birthday

Haley turned 9 years old today. She had a big day and got to celebrate most of the weekend. Saturday night she picked Red Robin for dinner. Sunday she moved into a new primary class and picked out butter noodles for dinner with carrot cake.
Our traditional: everyone with the birthday kid picture

She got some great presents and is already breaking in her new clothes.

Mike tried to trick Haley and that is exactly what happened. After unwrapping her presents she was told to go out and put her bike away that was left out in the snow. She walked out to put her old bike away and walked right past her new one. This happened 3 times before she figured out there might be something in that big red bag.

Haley was so excited to get a big girl bike. She has definitely outgrown the princess bike that she had.

3 hour tour

Thursday Mike wanted to take a drive with the kids and go to the hot springs. He said it was only a couple of hours away. On the way we drove to Beau jo's Pizza. They have a challenge that David was sure he can do. If you can eat a 14 lb pizza

(only cost $75 for two people to try) you don't have to pay get $100 and 2 t-shirts. David was sure he could accomplish this. He still hasn't stopped talking about trying it. We told him he had to earn the $75 first and not eat for a few days before.

To entertain themselves David and Haley started playing the poor kids version of air hockey with two straws and a quarter.

After lunch we got onto the road again, four and a half hours into our two hour ride: I asked the forbidden question: "how much longer?" Mike still tried to blame the time on stopping for lunch.

Finally we made it to Glenwood hot springs.......

The kids kept running out of the pool laying in the snow and then jumping back into the pool. One time Krystal ran out of the pool laid in the snow and David grabbed her and wouldn't let her jump back in. I guess that makes up for the time she painted his toe nails!

Even with single digits we had a wonderful time. It was so much fun jumping off the diving board and trying to make it from one pool to another without getting frostbite. The Youth had a New Years Eve dance that Krystal was insistent that she and David would make it to. David would rather have stayed in the pool. So we left and heading home and I timed it this time (3 hrs 20 mins), we made it home by 10:15 and the kids made their dance. This is definitely something we'll do again but not for a day trip!