Happy Birthday Lone Ranger!

Wingman said he wanted doughnuts for breakfast, so I took them to the doughnut shoppe.  They had never actually been to the shoppe so it was a fun outing.  I loved watching them press their noses up to the display at all the doughnuts.  He settled on a blueberry cake and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

Here he is modelling some of his new Lone Ranger costume.  He got some new horses and stable as well.  It's funny watching him play "dinosaurs and horses".  He loves both right now.  The horses usually get eaten by the dinosaurs.  Boys!

We had the actual party at a local bounce house.  He had soooo much fun and I didn't have to clean my house so we were both happy.

We had dinosaur train cupcakes.

He kept asking all day and the next, "Am I still 4?"  He thought it might be a fleeting moment.

He was so excited by all his gifts from his buddies.

We had a great day and daddy made it home in time for the party.  Happy Birthday Wingman!  Some day I will remember to take a group party shot.  I get caught up in the moment and forget these things.  Oh well.

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday Wingman!

You still love being the brothers' Wingman.  Whatever they do, you do.  You are excited to be sharing a room with them.

  

You have a mind of your own and are constantly asking "why?".  You love all animals, the Lone Ranger, dinosaurs, and playing with others.  You have a strong sense of right and wrong, maybe a little too strong.  I love your giggle!  Looking forward to a fun day of celebrating!

Boys Room

Does it look like a dorm room?  No, it's now the "boys" room.  We will officially have a boys room and a girl room.

After much deliberation, we got a second set of bunk beds.  We had one set and Wingman had a bed with no head or footboard.  We decided to get him something, but then the bunk beds seemed the way to go.

Someday, they can separate into twins and baby girl will already have her own bed.  Until then we have a guest bed.  Or at least that is the plan today.

We also got the boys another dresser.  I couldn't get 3 boys in the one we had.  Additionally, it was kind of girly.  It had been my dresser when I was a kid.

Now we are in the process of purging and reorganizing to get 3 boys and all their "stuff" in one room.  The boys are very excited to be all together.  That's the way they prefer to do everything- all together.

It's a girl!

I don't think that I have officially announced on the blog that we are having a girl!  We are so excited!

This is the main fabric that I am using in her nursery.  I have wanted a lavender room for a long time so I am excited.  There will be a lavender polka dot fabric as well as some solids.  I am going to attempt to make the curtains myself.  

The boys were a little shocked when we first told them.  "That will change everything" was heard more than once.  When you ask them about specifically what they mean, they really can't say. In their defense, boys are all they know.  They are correct that it will change some things, but for the good.

They are warming up to the idea now.  I have been informed that there are Girl Legos and we need to buy our sister some right now.  They are trying to help with names such as "Blaze" which is a girl Bionicle name.  (I don't think that one will fly.)  Crash has offered to take care of the baby in his room.  (I don't think he knows what he is asking for.)

Mommy is just excited for some purple!

Millennium Falcon

Apparently, a sandwich tastes extraordinarily better if it is in the shape of the Millennium Falcon.  I bet you did not know this.

At Christmas the boys were gifted with sandwich cutters in the shape of Star Wars ships.  We also received cookie cutters and cupcake decorations in the Star Wars theme.

Usually, they like sandwiches if we don't have them too often.  After receiving these, they are brain storming as to the 101 ways to make a sandwich.  It's become a new favorite food!  Who knew?

It's that time of year...

It's time to start preparing for the AWANA Gran Prix.  The Captain and the boys have begun the initial sessions to design their cars.  They did some Google research for some original ideas.

Test Pilot did a good job drawing out his design plan.

This is Captain's design for Crash's car.  Wingman has picked an unique design this year.

Shockingly, there will not be any Star Wars as a part of trio this year.  I will keep you posted on the progress.

Christmas in Ohio

We spent Christmas in Ohio this year.  Here's a great shot of Grammie and the boys!  My husband is the best at getting them to giggle for pictures.

Here's all the Apple family cousins.  It's hard to believe two are graduating from high school this year and one from college.  They were all so little in my wedding.  How time flies!

There was lots of puzzle building while we were there.

Here's us on Christmas Day!

We spent our time visiting with family, a trip to the Lego store, watching the boys be generally very silly, a little baby shopping, and getting Grammie a new flat screen TV.  She is so hip!  I have to admit the picture was most impressive.  I didn't know what I was missing.

Our flights were very smooth this year.  In fact, we landed early most times.  That never happens.  The only down side was that I some how injured my right hip/back during the trip.  I have no idea what I did other than travelling while pregnant.  I have been slow to heal, but I am progressing.  Luckily our schedule was free when we came home to allow plenty of recuperation time.  The boys were just glad for time at home to play with their new legos.  

Christmas at home

Here's my handsome men in their holiday outfits for this year.  I am a sucker for matching outfits.

Here they are by our fireplace.  It took me a few days to decorate the living room, because that's just how things go these days.  Each day as I put up something new Crash would say, "Thank you mom!  Thank you mom!"  He loved the decorations.  Who knew that would make him so happy.

Another tradition, is sugar cookies.  I make cut out sugar cookies but don't frost them.  I leave the frosting in plastic tubs.  Each night after dinner, they each get to decorate their own cookie.  They can pick what color frosting they want plus different sprinkles, M & M's, etc.  They love it and are so sad when the cookies run out.  Wingman is quite the decorator.  I have never seen so many toppings on one cookie!

This picture is funny for many reasons.  One, Wingman loves watching the 1950's TV show The Lone Ranger.  The Captain stumbled upon it and now he is in love.  He gets to watch an episode everyday while the Test Pilot does math for school.

The second reason it is funny, is because the tree is there with no presents under it.  I normally like to put out as a I wrap them, but as with most things this year I was way behind.  The kids were pretty bothered by this.  Crash exclaimed, "Why are there no presents under the tree?"  He was very distraught.  As I finally did start the wrapping, he would gently shake each one he said, "to see if there were any legos in it."

I am not sure if this is sinking to an all new low or just being the coolest mom ever, but I bought them a Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar this year.  They were in heaven.

Merry Lego Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2011

We traveled to my parents' home for Thanksgiving this year.  Here's my handsome looking men!

We did a little leaf raking before the big meal.  I needed the boys to burn some energy, the boys wanted to earn some money, and Grandave had plenty of leaves.  It was a win, win for everyone!

It was great catching up with the Cline family after a couple of years in China.  We missed them while they were gone.

It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving without the Cline girls asleep on the couch.  I remember when that used to be me and my sister.

While visiting in NM, we took the boys to the Unser Racing Museum.  It was a nice museum, but very disappointing in that it was so not kid friendly.  They have sadly missed the boat.  There were these nice, but pesky docents everywhere gently reminding my kids to not touch, sit, or breath on anything.  There was one small kid area, so they got to run around a bit.  Great for adult racing enthusiasts not so much for kids!  Bummer!

We had a great time there as usual.  Lots of good food and visiting.  Looking forward to our next visit.

Happy New Year

As I mull over the past year, there have been some big changes in our life.

1.  We just finished our first year as being self-employed.  I say "we" because I am now the book keeper, tax person.  I have learned a lot.  It's ironic that the job that just started out as being "a temporary fix until the right job came along" turned out to be the perfect job.  Praise be to God in his continually providing for our family.

2. One year ago, we thought we were moving, but here we are.  I can't say that we would have changed any of the decisions that we made, which could appear to have been "wrong" decisions.  All decisions were made prayerfully, based on the information we had at the time, and seemed to be the "right" ones for our family.  God knew better and we have actually seen how he protected us by forcefully closing some doors.  We have decided it was just part of our sanctification process and just leave it at that.

3.  We have finished our first calendar year of homeschooling.  We have enjoyed it.  It's been incredibly beneficial for our family as a whole.  I feel more confident as the "teacher."  I am learning a lot too.

4.  We have finished our first year of being together almost all the time.  The Captain now works at home all day, the Test Pilot schools from home all day, and the rest of us are there.  I am a person that needs a little space daily, so I was a little apprehensive about the changes.  However, we have made it work.  We have maneuvered schedules so I can have a little quiet space.  Plus, there are just so many benefits to having the Captain at home.  Although, I did have to buy him a pair of sound deafening headphones for Christmas.  Apparently, we are a little loud.

5.  Now, we have to look forward a new addition to our family.  We are already planning.  I know- shocking.  We are planning to move all 3 boys into one room together, but need to do some shuffling first.  We are looking to buy a 2nd refrigerator or freezer for the garage as we are outgrowing the first.  (I have to say that it actually seems easier to cook for 5 instead of a smaller crew.  Just my observation.)  And generally, just planning for a girl and the color changes that will bring.

Who knows what God has in store for this coming year, but we are full of hope as we know that He is in control of all things.  Hope you all have a blessed New Year!

Thanksgiving Feast

Have I said lately how much we love Crash's school?  It's just awesome!  My next big mommy project was to head up the Thanksgiving Feast.  I have never done a Thanksgiving for 65 before and I hope to never do it again.  It was a lot of work, but thankfully I had a lot of help.

Here's the cute little Indians doing their program.  My camera battery died after this so it's the only shot I have of the performance.  Bummer!

I made little turkey cookies and...

Pilgrim hat cookies for the event.  The kids and adults enjoyed them alike.

I should have gotten a picture of the fellowship hall.  These tables were decked out.  I thought I would run up there and decorate quickly.  Oh no!  The Test Pilot and I spent over an hour just setting up tables and decorating.  It was a labor of love.  I was happy to do it, but really ready for a nap that afternoon.  Thankfully, that was my last "in charge" project at the school.  

It's one of those things that I normally would not do, but it was so worth it to see the looks on the kids' faces. Happy Thanksgiving!