Once There Was A Snowman

Last Sunday it actually snowed enough for us to build a snowman! It has snowed quite a bit before, but the snow was so light ant fluffy that it wouldn't pack down enough to roll. Last Sunday's blizzard was perfectly wet and rollable, so mom did her best trying to make a snowman. Mom isn't the biggest perfectionist when it comes to snowmen, it was more of just getting the job done - obviously. He fell over the next day. And we don't seem to have one rock around our house - we got rid of them all when we were planting grass, so baby carrots had to suffice for all facial parts. Austin could care less about Mom's snowman, he was more concerned with helping shovel all the snow with dad. He even started shoveling in the middle of the lawn after he was done with the driveway. Who ever said anything about needing a snow blower?

Valentines Schmalentines

This year Austin's new preschool (which he totally loves -yay!) was having a big valentines party and he had to come up with a valentines box for the kids to put his valentines in. Austin and I gave it some deep thought (more me than him) and decided to try to concoct some sort of airplane reminiscent to an F-16. Well, this is what we came up with. Dad informed us that the tail fins weren't to scale, but it would do.

On the big day, I was kind of worried about taking Austin to school because he had spent pretty much the entire night coughing and I didn't really want him coughing and spreading germs at school; besides, it is so much easier to feel better when you are at your own house being sick. Well, he acted fine enough to go to school, and he didn't want to miss the festivities, so I told him I'd pick him up after the party was over. He picked out Buzz Lightyear Valentines to give to his friends and ring pops to bring as a class treat. He had a great time, and the jet is still currently residing on our kitchen table full of Valentines treats. We have more treats than we know what to do with. For some reason we seem to collect them, but they never get eaten.

Dad got off work early that day as well and came home to make us a special valentines meal - which was a surprise, thanks dad! - of bacon wrapped chicken and potatoes croquette in the dutch ovens. Mmm, it was fantastic; dad definitely missed his calling as a pit master.

The Latest Weekend Project....

So I've been pretty antsy to get some use out of all the sweet tools Cam has accumulated over the past couple of years. I may have had some ulterior motives when I bought them for him. We decided to dive in one room at a time, and Austin got the lucky draw. It took about a month of just working on the weekends for a little bit at a time to finish this beast, but I'd definitely say it was time well spent...ask Cam, and you may get a different answer. The only downside was the fact that we had to room with a very noisy 3 year old sleeper for that month, and it made for a couple of VERY long nights. He was so glad to be moved back into his "new" room today that he volunteered to take a nap. Anyway, here are some before and afters.





Cam thinks he needs a break for a while, so construction will resume on the spare in April....

ksl.com - Zundel Zanies

ksl.com - Zundel Zanies

Ok, this is a must see if you are a Jazz and USU fan...

Three Year's Old!!!

Austin's birthday / New Year's Eve party was a success this year...sort of. :) Besides the fact that half of the family was on some kind of antibiotic and the stuffed mushrooms didn't turn out oh-so-great, it was a fun night. We had an assortment of finger foods this year - which is really one of my favorite ways to eat. :) You can have a variety without having too much of one thing.
Austin is pretty into trains, so the theme this year was Thomas. The kids (and Spencer) played "pin the number on the train".
Austin was pretty excited to get Buzz Lightyear!
He was deep in contemplation here as he was ripping open wrapping paper.
Tractor's are always a big hit...thanks Grandma Trudy!
Austin got a wooden train set and a train floor mat from mom and dad.
The cake was fabulous. Chocolate with raspberry filling and whipped cream icing. Everything on this baby - except for the Thomas train - was edible!
The stars were a big hit....and a big mess!
Austin's new favorite shirt is his D-Will Jazz jersey. Go D-Will!!

Mom couldn't resist the bubble gum machine. Every kid needs one, right? This baby is 16" cast iron and has a glass globe. It also can be used as a bank. We will probably be eating these gumballs for the next 2 years....but you have to put money in it to get a gumball out, so hopefully we will be rich by the time all the gumballs are gone. :)

I really can't believe my little guy is 3 years old! He is growing into such a sweet, smart little boy. He's so friendly and loves to talk to anybody, and I really think he and his daddy are going to be best buds for many years to come. They have SO much in common it is INSANE. Jeeps, engines, tools, picky eating, finicky clothes wearing, baseball, and the list goes on and on. I don't know what my life would be like without Austin, and frankly I don't want to even try to imagine it. Buddy, if you read this someday, just know that Mommy loves you and is so grateful that you are apart of our family. Luv You, and Happy Birthday!

Hyde Park at the Ice Park

Grandpa...i think he was having fun!
Let's just say Austin didn't quite catch on fast enough before mom was done hauling him around.
As I am hunched over trying to push him and keep him upright, he has the nerve to keep yelling at me "faster mom, faster!". We were done in 10 minutes. Maybe next year honey.

Merry Christmas!!

Oooh! a Nail gun...but how are we supposed to use it...
ha, he got an air compressor too! wow, you'd have thought this was planned. I really like building Cam's tool collection...even if it is a little self-motivated.
Austin in his new favorite shirt! Go D-Will!
Cam also scored a router and accessories as well as some much needed Jeep roof handles. Hurray!
I love the sleep eyes...
We kind of had a Toy Story theme going on this year. We could put on our own movie now. Somehow Grandma Jan found Mrs. Potato head, and beside Woody and Jessie, a bucket of army men, barrel of monkeys, the army men's tank, and Toy story legos. jeez!
So cute! now if only he'll wear it.
The loot pre-chaos.