Derby boys

Bruce and Will had their annual Pinewood Derby Tuesday night.  I was at Justin's final wrestling tournament so I wasn't able to go.  They had a great time from what I hear.  They have been busy working in Aaron's shop getting their cars ready the last couple of weeks.  I wish I had taken more pictures of that!

This is Bruce's first year participating in Cub Scouts.  After watching his two older brothers race their cars, he was so anxious to have his turn this year.

Both Will and Bruce painted their cars Ohio State colors, no surprise there!  Will ended up placing 3rd and Bruce placed 6th.   

Grandpa Allen

Aaron's grandpa passed away in December.  Because of the holidays, they decided to wait and have a memorial for him in January.  The service was a little long, but so enjoyable.  Each of his seven kids were represented in some way, either by themself or one of their children.  It was really wonderful to hear all of the stories and the influence he had on so many.  It truly makes me grateful to be part of this family!

Here's a 4-generation picture taken on Christmas Eve in 2006.  It's a family tradition to gather together at Grandma and Grandpa Allen's on Christmas Eve every year.  Aaron can remember this special occasion from the time he was a little boy.  This year we weren't able to go, but the tradition continued with Grandma.

Our kids have several of these $2 bills.  Grandpa loved giving them out to grandkids and has always encouraged everyone to save their money.  I know that no one in the family will ever see one of these $2 bills without thinking of Grandpa!  He was a WWII veteran and well known cattleman in the Midwest.  Naomi has had a lot of questions about his passing and frequently asks me where Grandpa is and if he is happy.  I'm grateful to know that he is in a better place and very happy. 

Fabulous Four-Year Old

This little girl just celebrated her fourth birthday.  She has been so excited and has been asking everyday since Christmas if it's her birthday!  We had a crazy busy day on Monday so she opened a few gifts on Sunday night and then a couple more a couple days late.  It helped her enjoy her birthday even longer.

 Here she is blowing out her candles.  She was so gentle in blowing them out, I didn't know if she was ever going to finish.  What's more surprising was that Bruce let her do it and didn't just finish it off!

 

In the fall Naomi will begin pre-k.  The hours are much longer than any of our other kids attended at that age.  I'm so not ready to let her grow up, but she is so anxious to be just like her older brothers and sisters.  I get comments all the time when I bring her places with me because she is always so good.  She has sat through many PTO meetings, church meetings, etc, and she usually just sits and colors quietly.  I cannot say the same for her older siblings at this age.  I'm going to miss her next year!

New TV Stand

Every time we move we find that things don't always fit and in this house, we couldn't hang the tv over our big dresser.  Aaron was pretty proud of himself for coming up with this makeshift tv stand.  It definitely served it's purpose and made us feel like true rednecks.

In the meantime, we ordered this tv bureau to go with our other bedroom pieces.  What do you think, an improvement or do you like the 55-gallon water barrels?

Happy New Year!

At the stroke of midnight (or a couple minutes after), this is how Aaron decided to ring in the New Year!  It was a warm 38 degrees outside.  Our boys had been talking for weeks about jumping in the pool on New Year's, but when it came down to it, Aaron was the only one brave enough to do it.  He gave them such a bad time when he got out, Justin and Will finally "man'd" up and jumped in (Bruce was already asleep).  Aaron told me the next day he felt cold all day.  Go figure!