The Trip to NC 2010

Waking up at 4:00 in the morning, traveling all day on two planes, and then driving another two hours to Greenville, can really take it's tole. Luckily we have a boy who loves jokes about Presidents of the United States and thankfully someone out there wrote such a book.We are also very grateful to the people who make all the Barbie movies, especially Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Dave calls it torture in movie form, but the twins LOVE it.

But in the end there is nothing as comfortable as falling asleep like little gerbils in the back seat of Uncle Darren's suburban.

Pinewood Derby

I survived my first pinewood derby last night. We had a little pain and suffering when it came to the weigh-in; the scale we were using wasn’t as precise as some of the electrical scales people had used to weigh their cars, and as a result several of the cars had to take weight off to match our scale. Other than that though, things seemed to go well. There weren’t any tears (that I saw) and the boys had a great time racing their cars over and over again.

As part of the awards I made little trophies for all the boys to put their cars on. This way everyone received something. The trophies were very simple, just a small board for the base with a piece of 2x4 glued and nailed onto it as the upright. Then I spray painted them all gold and called it good.

Here is the base made from scrap particle board.

After measuring two or three times for the same length of board I quickly brainstormed for an easier way. It’s not like my cuts had to be New England-furniture-perfect, after all we’re talking about pinewood derby trophies here. A line on the miter saw at the length I wanted (in this case 3 inches) turned out to be just the answer. This way I didn’t have to measure for every single cut. Halleluiah!

Nineteen 3” wood blocks later (for participation), a 4” block for bronze, a 5” block for silver, and a 6” block for our first place winner and we were done making all our cuts. Next came the “puttin together” stage and I couldn’t quite bring myself to spend the time drilling pilot holes and putting them together with screws, so instead I asked Catherine to share here wonderful nail gun (again). She helped glue and nail them after Sunday dinner at my house. Thanks Cath!

Hunter and Ashton and their award winning pinewood derby cars

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We didn’t win 1st, 2nd or 3rd but we had a great time racing and Hunter was definitely one of the most enthusiastic little racers. Just watch out next year…

The Family Christmas Letter I Don't Send

I have never been energized enough to do Christmas Cards, but if I did, this is the letter I would probably put with them.

We are still surviving in Lehi.

I was recently called as the Cub Master and I am hoping they will release me as the Enrichment leader. I am slightly afraid they might just let me keep both. In my spare time I enjoy chasing two one-year-olds up, over, and around the house and watching Maggie and the Ferocious Beast on a daily basis. Periodically I also do mountains of laundry and dishes.

Dave is still the Young Men's president and a few months ago he switched departments at the church office. He is now the Finance Manager of the Perpetual Education Fund. It has been a great experience for him so far and we both have a new respect and testimony of the program. It is truly inspiring to know how the church is helping people around the world and it has made us so much more grateful for what we have. There are so many wonderful members of the church living in very different circumstances and the PEF is helping to give them the opportunities they need to change their lives.

Ashton is in third grade and enjoys math, reading, and playing with all his little friends--usually at our house.

Allison is in first grade and is turning into quite an artist. She also likes to play with her friends (especially playing dress-ups) and is enjoying gymnastics.

Hunter is four years old and my little sweetheart helper at home. He is a great big brother to his little sisters. For the last four months he has been going to the basics class at the literacy center and about two weeks ago he came out claiming to have read a book in class. My distracted mother response was, "That's nice Hunter," but later that evening he floored my by reading five beginner books. Who knew?

Kristen and Loryn are 1.75 years old and dictate a lot of what goes on in our home. They play really well together and it is very fun to see them interact. They seem to communicate well with each other and they hold hands as they walk around the house or give each other hugs. They also like to trash their room together instead of taking their naps. They are starting to talk and it is wonderful that sometimes I understand what they want because they can tell me. Loryn still gets herself mixed-up with Kirsten and will call "Loryn, Loryn" when she is looking for her sister, and Kristen makes the greatest pouty-lip faces when she doesn't get her way. Loryn is our little free-spirit and reminds me of a sweet little elf. Kristen is very enthusiastic and shows all her emotions on her face and through her body language. You never have to guess what Kristen is feeling.

In all we are doing really well and look forward to another year.

Merry Christmas! With Love,
April and Family

The Zoo

For UEA break we took a day and went to the zoo. Dave even took the day off work.
All of us admiring the zebras while the zebras ignore us.

Most of the animals were carefully contained in their pens, but it seems an alligator got out and found a tasty meal in the playground.

Watch Out Ashton!!I Will Save You!!
Princess to the rescue.

Allison shows her alligator wrestling skills.

Near by, Hunter rides a giant, wild caterpillar.

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

We also took a train ride safari.

Hold on tight!

The Joy of the Creamy

Ashton is such a sweet big brother to his little sisters. He willingly shared his creamy with them the other day. They were pretty happy to slobber all over it.

Ashton feeding Loryn a lick of his creamy while Kristen patiently waits her turn. The twins seem to take turns a lot better than other babies their age. I think it is because they have had to take turns all their life.
Kristen taking her licking the creamy.

The babies will be one year old on February 13th. I can't believe it has been a whole year since they were born. They are really starting to have some personality now.

Christmas Eve Nativity Play

Our traditional nativity play starts with Mary (Allison) riding on her donkey (Niel) with Joseph (Ashton) walking beside her.Ashton holding baby Jesus (Kristen) with Allison and the faithful steed, Niel, watching.
Shepherds ( Hunter and Joy) are visited by the angel and go to worship Baby Jesus.
Wise Men (Hunter and Joy) arrive to see Baby Jesus. The angel (me April) in the background.
Brooke and the alternate Baby Jesus (Loryn). Every good production should have an alternate baby.