Scotty

When I was about 7 years old, I discovered Michael Jackson. I remember dancing in my room to his music and dreaming of our future together. One time I even was so emotionally taken with a particular song, I very melodramatically fell to my knees sobbing. How embarrassing, right? To this day, I still really enjoy his music and I am happy to say that my kids do as well.

We have a mix of music that we play in the van for everyone to enjoy. Some of the songs include: Danger Zone, Walk Like an Egyptian, The Hamster Dance, and Gangsta's Paradise. I guess it's not your typical children's music, but there is a little bit of everything on it and they love it all.

Yesterday, Scotty, who loves to sing at the top of his lungs, said that the next song coming on was the "Walking up the stairs song". What on earth could that be? Just then, the song began...Thriller, by Michael Jackson. Yes, indeed, it sounded just like someone walking up the stairs. As I listened to Scotty singing the song, I heard him belting out, "Dinner! Dinner Time!!

To each his own, I guess! I know that for Michael Jackson's song, "Beat It!" I sing the words, "Show me Hot Pockets, No, that's not right!" instead of what ever it's really supposed to be. Not to mention in his song, "Billie Jean" I sing, "Billie Jean's got my glove." instead of "Billie Jean's not my lover."

Rock on, Scotty!

Easter

I was reminded by a friend that I get to buy Emily her first Easter dress this year. How could I have forgotten? I have always looked forward to this kind of stuff and I nearly missed it! Luckily, I had purchased this pretty lavender dress before she was even born and it fit perfectly. Check out the huge, puffy sleeves!



Up next, we have the boys dying their Easter eggs. **It's the Wednesday night after Easter. Boy, I am sooooo far behind. Luckily, the Easter Bunny still left goodies in their baskets for them to find.

And...They're off !!!

We had a fun time at last night's pack meeting. If you have never had the chance to go to one, I would definitely recommend it. Boys in the family or not, it is a hoot!

Every year, I swear to myself that next year, we are going to go all out for their cars and blow the socks off the competition. Heh, heh, heh...

Fast forward to this year's derby. Apparently, old habits die hard, and we found ourselves putting the construction of the cars off until the last minute - again. You would certainly never know it looking at them though - wink, wink.

We gave Zachary and Mikey a list of ideas to choose from. They were pretty lame. On the list we had: a tall building, a brick, a refrigerator, a dollar bill...anyone noticing a trend here yet? We were so strapped for time we told them, "No cutting or sanding." It was the night before weigh in and we were in a panic. Poor boys.

Luckily, they love their mom and dad dearly and picked their choices happily. Zacky was a little miffed because this was his last year. However, I gently reminded him that he's had better cars in the past.
Case in point:



Plus, he was pretty lucky in the first place, he has been able to participate in four pinewood derbies, compared to the usual three.

Anyway, Zachary chose to make his car into a book. It's title was How to Win a Pinewood Derby.......how utterly ironic. I guess chapter one should be called: Step 1 - Never allow your mother to help. Zachary's car came in third and fourth every race but one. He did, however, win the "Most Intellectable" award. Yes, I know it's not a real word. When I was making out the awards for everyone, my mind began to fizzle out on the creativity for each car. So, I gave up and made up a word. I felt bad, but isn't that considered conflict of interest anyway?


Mikey was so excited for his car's public debut. He decided to make his look like a Hershey's bar. After a few runs, Mikey came up to me saying that his wasn't nearly aerodynamic enough. I asked him if he thinks that our big honkin' van can go fast and he said, "Yes" so I said, "Then your car is fine." How tender and caring of me, right? He did a little bit better placing in the races than Zacky. Of course, he credits his second places to running his wheels through the horrendous mess of graphite on the table. He won the "Sweetest" award which fits both him and his car to a T.

Zachary is growing up...is this a good thing?

This is the first year that Zachary wants to have a birthday party, but doesn't want it to have a theme. A little too babyish, I guess. His third birthday was great. He was obsessed with police cars and firetrucks, so we had his party at the Pleasant Grove Fire House. They have a party room and it was so amazing. He was in heaven.



They even let all of the children run the emergency siren for the city. That siren has always freaked me out. Growing up I heard it all too often whenever there were tornado watches/warnings and monthly tests.



So, here's my main problem: what on earth do I do with eight 11 year olds for two hours? We will feed them pizza & pop, cake & ice cream, but then what? I have a lot of fun games that they could play, but I am thinking that even those might be embarrassing for him. You know, since he's so grown up now. Ever since the dreaded "talk" and the maturation class at the school, he is so on a different playing field. Two weeks ago, he wanted another army birthday, but now...he is too old for that. WHERE DID MY BABY GO? I better hurry up and figure something out. Something that only a cool mom could think of.

Snow Fun!!!

Oh, what a great weekend Zack and I had! We were able to have a little get-a-way (thanks to our generous parents) for a few days. It was my turn to plan our little trip, so I picked a snowmobiling excursion. I had never been, but Zack has been a couple times and has always wanted to go again.
Thursday evening, we stopped at Magleby's Grill in Provo. We both chose the Filet Mignon, with fresh vegetables, and rice pilaf. I wish I hadn't. I was looking for a superb piece of tender meat. Instead, I got a slab of meat coated in sugar and drenched with what I think was a syrupy sweet, gritty, cherry slop. COME ON!!! What a waste of a perfectly good cut of meat! I am very picky about my beef, and I was a "tad" disappointed. The fresh veggies were perfectly cooked but were very sweet due to sitting in the "meat's" juices. And the rice pilaf?!? Also made with sugar. I am a sugar - holic, but enough with it already! Diabetics beware!
Ok, so after our dinner we headed through Provo Canyon to our hotel in Heber City. It was a great room with a jetted tub, fireplace, fridge, microwave, TV, and king bed. Very relaxing.
The next morning we drove south to Strawberry Lodge for the fun. We were blessed with about 18 inches of fresh powder to enjoy. In fact, we were the first people to enjoy the snow in a gigantic meadow with rolling hills. Awesome!
Here are some of our pics :



This is me on my sled.





Zack and I, standing in about 8 feet of snow. Behind us is a 30+ foot drop off.



This is a video of me coming back from carving snow, dude!!!



I think that my favorite part was when we went through and around some beautiful hills. We would sled up one side of the hills, then swoop back down to go up the opposite side of the hills. I guess it's kind of hard to describe, but picture a half pipe that a snowboarder goes on. That is the same basic idea. SOOO FUN!!!!

Homework assignment

OK, listen up!

 I need everyone's help coming up with ideas for little family vacations. I am not talking about week long visits to Disneyland. I am talking about 3 to 4 day mini trips. The places to go would have to be within an easy day's drive and the cost within reason. I feel like there is nothing to do but go to Sin City, but we hate it there ~ especially now that the boys are older and more observant. I need specifics, like what to do once we are there - wherever it is. Get your creative juices flowing (mine are empty at the moment) and leave ideas! The winner with the best usable idea will receive a special prize!!!

12 Wonderfully Happy Years

I love you so much, Zack.

Look how young we were!!! I have been so happy and I am so in love with you. I look at all that we have accomplished in 12 short years and I am amazed. I can't wait to see what the next 12 will bring!
Happy anniversary!

Our babies

Getting these pictures was a little stressful because Emily was exhausted, the photographer had no clue how to do group photos, and because I made the boys wear white (what was I thinking?). Taking that all into consideration, I think they turned out pretty nicely.