Giant R2D2

Sam went to the mall today to take part in a giant lego build. It was interesting to see, how they have all the kids build these rectangle bricks that they add to the giant R2D2. It took 3 days to complete building the set and since we were there on the last day they had a 10 brick cap per kid. Pretty cool.

It took Sam about 10 minutes to complete 4 bricks.

Sam turning in his bricks with the almost completed R2 in the background.

On your Marks...Ready. Set. Go.

Josie has decided she is a tiger cub and is participating in the event, and she did. Her car did quite well in the open class race.

The Pinewood Derby cars are lined up for the first race. Sam's is the green one.

The crowd gathers to see the race. Josie joins her brother for a front row seat of the action.

And the winner is...Sam got 2nd place for show and 3rd place for speed. Qualifying him for the district race in 3 weeks! It sure is hard to hold all those trophies and his winning car.

Josie helps share in the glory after cheering her brother on.

It was an exciting day at Pack 513 Pinewood Derby competition. Being our first race we learned a lot about how the whole thing works and we already have ideas for next year. The race is a bit more high tech then you might think we a computer tracking everyones times and ranks. We still can't believe we ended up with 2 trophies and another chance to race. Everyone had a blast - Go Sam!

Sock Hop

Sam's school was having a sock hop and wanted to invite some friends to dance the night away. Funny thing was Sam did the least amount of dancing. The girls had a blast moving and grooving to, well, not the sounds of the 50's like I thought it would be.

Josie and 2 friends. Sam showing off his moves. Mr. Cool

Busy Weekend

We had such a busy weekend, yet I didn't have my camera for most of it. Sam got pink eye on Friday so he spent most of the day playing video games. It began raining on Friday night and I'm not sure if it has stopped yet...we need the rain so I can't complain, but I wish it would rain during the week. I hate driving in the rain. Most of all I wished I had my camera for Sam's soccer game because they played in the pouring rain. It was also only 45 degrees so we were freezing too. I was so cold, but the boys were loving it as they splashed through the mud. Sam's ears and nose were so red, his hair dripping wet, yet he was smiling ear to ear. It was my day to bring snack and I had ice cold gatorade on hand. Since I could no longer feel my fingers I didn't think an ice cold beverage would cut it, and bought a round of hot chocolate for the team...I got lots of thank yous from the kids and the parents. We won the game and Sam played awesome! We also went to a St. Paddy's party, were Eric got to jam with Pappy Pigdinkers Band. Sam and Josie had fun playing with all our friends kids that we don't get to see as often as we would like to.

Josie hugging Jonus (he is 5 months old and only 9lbs less than Jo)

Our little cheerleader - It was sports day at school.

I just love this picture.

We got some cool balloon animals at the mall. Josie popped Dora's arms and one foot within the first few minutes.

My 3 seconds of local fame.

On my vanpool we had a reporter ride along with us who was doing a piece on commuting. I wasn't expecting to make the final cut since I was driving the van...but I did. Check it out: http://11aliveblogs.com/commuterdude/?p=366

Sunny Saturday!

Spring has arrived and we took time to enjoy the weather at a local park. The one awesome thing about where we live is that we have the choice of about 10 great parks in about a 5 miles distance. The kids love the variety of them all. This one is set up more like a big fort and we had a picnic to start of the adventure. The large cow is just a bonus.

Swinging high.

Sun, Wind and Dreaming...remember when life felt this good?

Riding a Bull.

Josie swinging?

Sam climbing the rope.

Sleeping with the Fishes!

Sam and Eric got the chance to go spend the night at the Tennessee Aquarium with Sam's cub scout pack. After horrible traffic on the way there, they finally arrive and got the experience of a lifetime. They got to touch stingray and sturgeon fish and feed the cutest otters you ever did see. Get up close and personally with seahorses, turtles, sharks, snakes, penguins, jellyfish and lots of fish by getting the behind the scenes tour of how it all works.

They slept in a cave like tunnel that allowed amazing views of a tank. They got to see a 3-D IMAX movie and Eric swears the sea snakes nearly jumped out and got them at one point. Sam and Eric fell asleep looking up at the tank and counting the fish and sharks swimming by.

Sadly you have to be 6 years old to spend the night at the Aquarium so Josie and I had a girls weekend. But not to worry we met Aunt Joan and cousin Addison for dinner and in the morning we had gymnastics class. Then we attended the cutest Minnie Mouse themed birthday party to top off our girls weekend.

Eric was the only one who brought an air mattress. They fell asleep looking up at the fish tanks.

IMAX move time.

Sam touching the stingray. They would swarm over to you as soon as you put your hand in the water.

Sam's favorite was the sharks in the behind the scenes tour.

Those are Seahorses, not plants.

They got to feed the otters, this one is begging for more. Local Sturgeon fish in the touch tanks.

Snow!...well we got a little bit

For the first time this winter we got a little snow fall. The kids had a blast even though it was hard to scrape up enough snow for a snow ball. Several towns around us got about 5 inches, but we only saw about half an inch. It sure was pretty though.

Eric takes it all in.

Pink nose and cheeks, she loved being in the cold. Anyone who knows Josie knows she is HOT natured.

I think I caught a snowflake. Still loving it. We all were freezing, but she would not come inside

See, I have snowflakes in my hair, look harder.

Sam hitting Josie with his best attempt at a snow ball...she didn't like it.

It's raining, no it's SNOWING!

Friday Night BINGO!

On Friday it was Family Bingo night at Sam's school and we had a blast. I can see Sam has inherited my thrill for screaming the word Bingo before anyone else. Josie wasn't as impressed, but she held her own. She seemed to think we were at a party from the music and the excitement. She kept several people entertained by dancing and letting out the occasional ear piercing scream. Aunt Heather joined us and I'm not sure she was as impressed by the craziness of 100 kids in a hot cafeteria screaming either. We won Bingo 3 times...our prizes were 2 cakes and a frisbee.

Aunt Heather and Sam getting serious.

Josie being Josie

Sam ready for the first round...let's get started already.