Pine Wood Derby

Conor won 2nd place at his first Pine Wood Derby! They used this high tech computer system for calculating who won and they raced dozens of heats to determine the winner. Tom and I had never seen it done this way even though we've both been in scouting. It was impressive! Con drew a picture of what he wanted his car to look like and with only a little help from mom and dad, it turned out to look exactly like his drawing. At the end of April he'll be racing at the district race. Go Conor!!!

Brush Brush

Disney On Ice!

It was MAGICAL! Conor was speechless, He just stared in complete wonder and amazement. Kya couldn't stop talking, every new scene she would say, "it's Alladin or, Mama it's Beauty and the Beast, your favorite! or they could be in the Olymics!" Kindy and I were very entertained and couldn't stop taking pictures. Crew and Briley just wanted to be next to each other, whoever's lap that may have been and eating fruit snacks non stop. As for Nate and Tom, I think their favorite part was the pizza afterwards. When we asked the kids afterward what their favorite part was, Conor said, " well they didn't have Peter Pan so that would have been my favorite," Kya said,"every single part." Thanks for the tickets Grammy and Papa. We're sad you weren't there like we had originally planned. We love you!

(2 cute red heads, We definately have our hands full!)

Snow Day!!!!

School was canceled today because of the storm we're having. Last night Tom said, "I think it might snow all year!" Hopefully he's wrong but I have to say snow is one of God's amazing creations. I love it when the ground is covered in sparkly whiteness. There's nothing like it! These pics are from a few weeks ago but since we're talking about snow I thought I'd share. Tom took Conor and Kya to a sledding hill about 3 minutes from our house, The plan was for Crew and I to join them when he woke up from his nap. When he woke up we bundled up, poured the hot chocolate into the thermos and raced for the hill. When we arrived everyone immediately piled into the van and devoured the chocolate and then said, "k lets go home." So much for sledding for Crew and I. I guess all we're good for is Cocoa. We got home and no one went inside. I pulled the kids in the wagon and Crew of course grabbed his bike. He would live on that thing if we let him. It was so cute to see him on it in all his snow gear. He could barely move, but nothing stops this little guy. He's in 4 wheel drive all the time, as Tom says.

Piano

Conor and Kya have been wanting to learn how to play an instrument. I told Tom we have to get a piano now because if we wait they won't be interested. He dreads moving it whenever we move again. Well here it is, our 100 year old Packard! Isn't it gorgeous After not much searching I found it on Craig's list. I was thinking of refurbishing one myself but then I found this one for about the same price as the old junkers I was looking at. It was already redone. Trust me the pictures do not do it justice. Don't worry Tom will thank me someday, but definately not on moving day. I'll try to be busily hiding when that day comes. he he

Conor and Kya alternate taking lessons each week. They are loving it so far. Conor is even trying to compose some of his own songs. For those of you who know him I know you are not surprised.

Crew thinks its a climbing wall. He scales right up any chance he gets.

How does this sound guys?

Kya is a little young for lessons but her teacher said we'd try and see how she does. She is so excited and doing great so far.

*this post was done per request from Grandma McDowell. I think she's as excited as Conor and Kya. Enjoy!

Look who's big enough for nursery!

The kids in mine and Tom's primary class are so sad that Crew is now in nursery and doesn't come to our class anymore.They say, "we miss Crew." Tom also said he is going to miss his little buddy. I love this little guy like crazy but I will NOT miss him while I'm trying to give my lessons. We have about 10-12 6 year olds including one extra challenging boy. With Crew now in nursery Tom can focus more on helping me with our class.

The best part is that Crew LOVES his big boy class. He's gone twice now and when we pick him up he keeps saying, "bu-ble, bu-ble." When I picked him up last Sunday (Tom and I fight over who gets to pick him up) they were having the traditional, it's almost time to go bubble session. Crew was right in the middle of the crowd of cute little toddlers yelling "BU-BLE" and jumping up and down popping them. It was so sweet. When Tom picked him up the first time Crew gave him a big fat kiss(Tom gets all Crew's kisses, I'm jealous). People think Tom and I are crazy when we say that our dream calling is nursery. We have substituted a few times and it is seriously the best place to be. Snacks, bubbles, sweet little faces and 2 minute lessons. What more could you want, seriously.

It's Great to be Eight!

Why I think Conor is GREAT:


*He reads to his sister and brother.(whether they want him to or not).


*He has had a testimony of Jesus Christ since he was 3 1/2 even though he didn't know how to explain it. (We went to the visitors center at the Temple and when we were walking away from the statue of Christ, Conor had his hands on his heart. He had recently been diagnosed with asthma so I asked him if he was alright. He said, "yeah, I just feel really good inside." I explained to him that he was feeling the spirit tell him that what he was seeing and hearing was true. Since then he has always had a strong desire to do what is right and loves learning about what Christ was like).


*He is very affectionate and has a kind heart. I love his hugs and kisses and I hope he never outgrows wanting to give them to me.


*He's very compassionate. He is always concerned if he knows someone is sad or doesn't feel well and trys hard to figure out a way to make them feel better.


*He is not afraid to stand up for what he knows is right.


*He often reads chapter books well above his grade level in only one day. Currently he's on the 3rd book in the Narnia series.


*He amazed people by speaking very early and very clearly he could articulate well right away.


*He made my dream of being a mother come true by being my firstborn.


*He does really well in school and rarely needs help.


*He is a little gentleman, always opening doors for people.


*He asked Santa for something he thought his dad would like.


*He loves the song Follow The Prophet and know most of the 9 verses.


*He can memorize things amazingly fast.


*He tells me I'm the greatest cook in the world.


*He is a great example.


*He has chosen to follow Christ's example and will soon be baptized the same way Christ was and has asked us to do.


We love our eight year old boy and are so proud of the person he is and the choices he has made. We're SO glad he was born into our family 8 years ago. We had no idea what happiness and joy really were before he came into our lives.

March 6th 2010

We had Conor's Birthday party the day before his actual Birthday. When we asked Conor what he wanted to do on his Birthday he said, "Read and play with my new toys." So most of the day that's what we did but we couldn't stay inside all day. It was to beautiful outside so we brought a picnic lunch to the park. Conor also got to choose what we had for breakfast and dinner. So Tom made waffles for breakfast and I made pizza for dinner. It was a great day thanks to Conor.

The Party

Conor's party was fun! We had a treasure chest cake made by a girl in our ward. I won a custom cake from the silent auction to benefit Haiti, at our ward party. Perfect timing because Conors party was a week later! It turned out amazing. We decorated bags to put our treasure from the pinata in and played pin the treasure chest to the X. Five out of the eight boys at the party are also 8 and will all be in Cub Scouts with Conor. We are so excited about Cub Scouts. I'll be posting stuff on that soon.

Hockey Game

Notice Kya's way cute hat? Aunt Joanne makes them. Isn't she talented!! We LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Now I want one too. Thanks for getting it for us Grammy. We love you!

We went to another hockey game the other night. We brought the kids this time. Tom and I got a babysitter last time so we could actually stay for the whole game. It was nice and we didn't even finish the whole bucket of donuts. This time the donuts were gone about three minutes after we bought them. Do you recognize the donuts Auntie Kortney? Pratt and Kort got us hooked on these lil orbits at a hockey game we went to with them in Tucson. We thought of you while we scarfed them down. Good thing you weren't there cause I doubt we would have shared. Crew barely shared with the rest of us!

Notice Crew's cheeks packed with donut and his little hand begging for more. That's Crew for ya. He always has food in his cheeks and hands. He even keeps food in his cheeks while sucking on his binki. Crazy kid!

Creative Kya

Kya is so crafty and very creative with her crafts. This is a picture of the outfits she made for her meerkats (she found these meerkats at michaels and HAD to have them). She said that she made them look like the Chipmunks from Alvin and The Chipmunks.

Baby Elmo

Crew LOVES Kya's baby Elmo doll. He takes such good care of him!

Yeah for Conor!

Conor is on a roll lately. He said a beautiful talk in primary about the Savior. He was so confident and spoke so clearly and well. When I heard his talk I thought about what a great missionary he will make someday. He has really enjoyed learning stories about Jesus lately. He has a lot of enthusiasm for the gospel. I love this kid so much!

At our ward backwards party he won the fashion competition! When it was his turn to walk down the runway he did his version of the robot. With the music and the strobe lights, it was quite impressive and he got the loudest cheers. There was a boys catergory and a girls, and he won from the boys. He won some highlighter markers that said, " You were the HIGHLIGHT of the show. He went into his room before the party and put together his own outfit. He was so excited about it!

He recently earned this Achievement Award at the school assembly. I'm not exactly sure what he did to earn it but Conor is amazingly intelligent and does really well in school. We are so proud of what a great kid he is. He amazes us everyday!