Our visit to Jeff City

up in a tree on our walk

just me and my boys

Lisa, Allie, Andrew

How long do you really think it took him before he fell in?

Just can't stay out of those trees!

Just us 2 beauty queens taking a break

Since I and the kids had President's day off, we headed to Jefferson City to visit my sister and her family.  After traveling most of the day, we arrived on Saturday afternoon.  Mark fixed us a wonderful supper and that evening we sat around the chiminea.  It was cold but Adam enjoyed putting sticks and leaves into the top of it.  Sunday we had lunch and then went walking the trails at a state park.  We all needed the exercise.  Mark once again made a good supper for us (thank God he was there that weekend!).  Kind of a short visit but one that we all needed.  The boys love their older girl cousins, even though they are nothing more than little brats to them!  I guess we'll be up to see you guys in 5 or 6 more years!  Thanks for letting us visit.

New Garage

whole house view

new addition from front

side view

behind the house view

inside the new garage

new "mud room" and stairs to second level

Yeah!! Finally done.  The only thing left is for the gutters to go up and Paul has to put two lights out front, then our garage is finished.  Here are a few pictures.  We will finish out the inside which will be a work in progress in the next year or two but there is no hurry there.  Glad that the safe room is finished b/c the bad weather will be here before you know it.

Pine Car Derby Winners!!!!

moving cookie from forehead to mouth

1st place winner!

Thanks Dad for your help!

3rd place winner

This past Friday the boys had their Pine Car Derby races for scouts.  Paul cut the shape out but the boys had to sand and paint and help with the wheels.  It is really fun looking at all the cars that the boys have made and watching the races because they all get so excited (and then there are some that are really disappointed too! )  this year Adam made a yellow Hummer car and Andrew had a red and blue race car with a spoiler on the back.  Each child races 3 times and then the computer records all their scores.  At the end of the night Adam tied for 1st place !!!!!  Andrew came in 3rd!!!!!!  Our friend Case Thomason came in second so we really had a fun night.  At the end of the night Andrew told me "I love Dad for helping us make these cars.  I think I'll give him $4 for helping us!"  Does it get any better than that?