Carlee's Dance Recital

Backstage getting ready to go on...

On our way to the recital

At dress rehearsal, the end of her second number (second in from the right)

At dress rehearsal, in the front, second in from the right

Carlee had her Dance Recital and LOVED it! She did really well and knew all the moves. She also helped keep the other girls going on stage. Carlee doesn't seem to get shy or have stage fright, thank goodness! Now we're on to tumbling...

Logan as Zeus

Logan had to do a project at school at learn about Zeus. Then, they did a Living Museum where they dressed up as their character and had to tell about them as the parents went room to room and walked through the Museum. It was really neat and Logan, dad and a neighbor

(who helped make the costume) did a great job!

Hiking

Us

Mike and the kids heading down the wash to check out the water and a "cave"

Checking out the "cave"

Carlee

Logan

Rattlesnake

We took the kids hiking this past Friday since they were out of school for Good Friday. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! The kids carried their own backpacks for the first time (snacks and drinks included)! Everything is so green, lots of things in bloom and the rain has done us a lot of good here. However, we did meet an unexpected visitor on our last .50 mile of the hike out. It was a VERY exciting way to end our hike! Carlee was hiking first and thought it was a stick, then saw it move so she jumped, screamed and ran. Logan was scared, so he pushed Carlee back towards the SNAKE! They were like two stooges! I immediately grabbed the kids to "take cover" and let Mike handle the situation. The rattler was spooked by us, after all he was just sunning himself and trying to enjoy the day, like us. By this time he was off the trail but he was coiled and rattling. He was very bothered by all that was happening (Carlee screaming, trembling and crying. No matter what I said to her I couldn't calm her down.) Mike threw a rock at the snake to get him to move along and the snake struck at him. So, now it was "game on". After a long battle, and more people that had joined in because they too were hiking on the trail, the snake lost. We didn't want him attacking anyone else after we had gone off since he had already struck at Mike. It was exciting, scary and and a good family memory. All in all, it turned out to be a good day.

1st Pinewood Derby

Logan at the weigh-ins. He's legal and ready to race!

After the races with his picture frame/car holder, certificate (most aerodynamic) and ribbon.

Logan's car, ready to race in one of the heats. It's the blue one w/ the lightening bolt.

Logan w/ his car getting ready to race!

This year was Logan's first Pinewood Derby. He had a lot of fun and I think he liked having me there as the Asst. Cubmaster. It was definitely an adventure w/ a lot of Drama (not on our part, some parents get carried away and forget the true meaning of the race - THE BOYS and FUN)! Logan and his dad had a great time and are looking forward to next year and they are already making plans for their (I mean Logan's) next car! BOYS!

Birthday Girl - The Big 7!

Carlee mushed her own face into her cupcake...SILLY girl!

Waiting to blow out her candle while we were singing to her.

SILLY FACES!

Friends

Carlee in action riding her new bike

Carlee and her new bike that she got for her birthday, that she's been beggin' for!

Carlee turned 7 and we had a party with 12 of her friends and cousins. Everything was going great...the house was cleaned, the yard was mowed, the cupcakes were baked, presents wrapped, crafts were ready and pizza ordered!

Then, it started to rain! In 7 years it has NEVER rained on Carlee's birthday and we've always had her party indoor/outdoor because it's always NICE WEATHER for her birthday. NOT this year! It was COLD and RAINY!

So, we moved everything inside (thank goodness we have a big enough house) and partied inside! It all turned out awesome (even though Mike was on shift and I was on my own - a BIG, HUGE THANK YOU to my two sister-in-laws for all their help!!).

Carlee had a blast and has some of the best friends ever! Thank you everyone!

Bike ramp...

LOGAN

Neighbor dad

Neighbor girl

So, the kids have been jumping the curbs when they are out riding their bikes. Mike doesn't want them to ruin their rims or tires so he decided to build them a ramp. Now they have competitions with each other and the neighbor kids to see who can jump the highest and farthest! Even one of the dads got in on it one day, so OF COURSE I had to take pictures! :) We have so much fun outside! Logan is the record holder so far at 70+ inches! (the neighbor dad beat Logan but Logan kept trying until he beat the dad because he couldn't stand that a dad had beat him!!) Mike did try this too but it was a day that I was gone to work. I don't know if it's because he didn't want me to take pictures or because he didn't want me to be present incase something happened and I said "I told you so!"

Christmas #3

My niece, Sara, after she opened her new "laptop" from us!

She's been wanting one, so we delivered!

My sweet nephew, Ryan, sitting in his new chair from G&G Pobieglo. Look at that smile!

Logan with his new fishing game for the Xbox 360.

Carlee reading the card that says she is signed up for 6 months of dance classes! Look how happy she is! She's been asking to do this for months but we couldn't do them and soccer!

I would have lost my mind!! Thank you G&G Pobieglo!!

This is Christmas w/ Mike's family. It was refreshing and toned down this year. We spent the whole day together Saturday (the day after Christmas). We snacked on food, opened presents, played together, snacked on food, played some more and then had our family Christmas dinner. It was very fun to just spend the day together and not have a schedule and be able to play with the kids and enjoy their new toys. Carlee received dance lessons for the next 6 months from G&G Pobieglo, along with some other fun toys. Logan received the Bass Pro Shops The Strike for the Xbox 360, along with some other fun toys. They both had a wonderful Christmas this year.