Old Friends and the Shooting Range

Last weekend my family got together with my oldest friend that I have managed to stay in touch with over the years. (I know what you are thinking...that really is a miracle... :) ) Kindy and I have known each other since we were 10 years old when we were in the Hill Cumorah Pageant with our families in Upstate New York. So that is almost 24 YEARS. I can't believe it. It had been way to long since we got together even though we only live an hour apart. But with all the family they have in town and Mike's schedule...it really has been hard.

So when we had actually nailed a day down to get together, Mike told me to ask if they would like to go to a shooting range and I did, not thinking that they would bite. Our original plan was to go hiking. But it so happens, that Kindy's husband Vern is a gun man himself. So plans were made for the guys to take to the four oldest while Kindy and I took their three youngest over to Usery Mountain to the playground. Kindy so happens to be one of those people that it may have been forever since I have talked to her, but it seems like it was just yesterday. I love that about her! We had a blast. I really wish my scanner was working, because I would totally put a picture of a long time ago on here.
Here is a picture of our boys together. Mike had a great time with Vern. He said it was like hanging out with one of his Brookings friends...a very high compliment since they are the closest thing he has to siblings. I think Mike would love to go shooting with Vern again.
My kids had only visited a shooting range once before when Mike wanted to shoot his Christmas present and break it in really fast after we had gone hiking one afternoon. They weren't to sure about it at the time. But when they found out that the Vern was bringing some rifles for the kids to shoot they got really excited. (Thanks for sharing!! Now Mike has told the kids we will have to get one for them too...what a bad influence ;) ) You can see that Christian revved up a bit of his testosterone while shooting his gun. The great thing about shooting ranges, is they are very safe places to go shooting. I was impressed the first time we went there with the rules and the procedures that they had.

Mike got a "shot" of my little girl shooting the rifle. Look at the concentration.

Christian loved it too, although not a real great shot at this point. He was just so excited about shooting the gun he apparently didn't pay attention to the target per se.

It was a fun day that went by way to fast. Thanks Kindy and Vern for driving all the way over to the East side. Our turn next time!

Pinewood Derby

Mike has waited years for this day. No, he didn't get another Mustang or a Harley. You would think in his profession, that he would have done this before. But, no. There is no Pinewood Derby car requirement in becoming a professional scouter. I am not sure how he never did it as a Boy Scout, but he didn't. So here was his chance, finally, to do it with his son.
They didn't really like the noise. Both Katie and Christian made one, so they were out helping dad...

Learning to sand the pinewood derby car...the evening was a little cool, so Christian had his blanket...

The requisite funny photo...

After "painting" Christian's car. It was a peel and stick "skin". It looked really cool, but I think that we will paint the car next year. (Notice the U of O colors duck fans...)

The day of the race. The cars are actually passing the finish line in this picture. They were going so fast I couldn't get them to be in the picture. But you can see Christian standing to the far left taking it all in.

He had a fast car, thanks to a dedicated dad that wanted him to do well. (He sanded the axles). He got a trophy and was on cloud nine. The first 5 runs he was 1st four times. But the computer wasn't registering them correctly, so they ran them all over again. He still ended up in second place, and he could have cared less at this age. He was just glad to have a trophy.

Look at that face...

A fun day for Dad and Son.

Katie got overall first place in the Exhibition round if you don't count the car that belonged to the boy scout that had already competed. And we're not. So she was first. (Okay, second, they did let him race...) She was pretty happy too. Not sure what happened to the pictures for her...but she was ecstatic. She wishes the girl scouts had a pinewood derby too. :)

3 Years in Arizona

Today is officially our third year in Arizona. I am sitting in my living room with orange blossom breezes wafting in from outside. It is gorgeous here this time of year. This is the time of the year that makes me especially grateful to be here. The sun is ever present and is not yet beating your brows like it does in the summer. The skies are almost always clear. The flowers are blooming in the backyard. (I will have to add a picture later). The kids are making chalk pictures on the driveway, because it doesn't yet fry their legs and riding their bikes and scooters around the block. I love it.

The move here was a real blessing for our family. It was time to move from Idaho, we were going one way or another, so there is no loss of love for Idaho. Coming to Arizona instead of somewhere else at the time was just so right for our family. It has been an oasis in our life of moving around. Mike's boss has been fantastic. A friend and a mentor. He has had great bosses that have helped him see how to do different things fantastically. We have had more balance here for family. Not to say he isn't still gone...a lot...but still, more balance. Some how, when we move again, we will have to find balance again. You only get your kids once and you just have to make sure life doesn't swallow you up and squander those times together. This next time Mike will be the boss, and it will be intense. We don't know when or where it will be, but it is coming one way or the other. I am peaceful about it though. I haven't always been lately. But I am now. Once you put your trust in the Lord, it is "easy". We haven't gone anywhere yet and still have many plans in the making, so don't write me off.

For now, I am just grateful I am here. Smelling the orange blossoms through my window at night. In Arizona. Life is Good.

Sword Play

Katie and Christian love to imagine and play together. I don't remember exactly what they were doing, it had to do with Star Wars I am sure. I just started cracking up at them when I looked at the series, so I thought I would share. Like it or not. :)

Secret Valentine....

Okay, so I know I am going back in time here, but I thought I better start catching up, or else it will be even worse....so without further ado...

The Monday night before Valentine's as I was putting the kids to bed we heard the doorbell ring, which is very unusual at that time of night. The kids have (finally) learned not to open the door without permission (at least I think they have). So they ran to the door from their bedrooms and waited while peeking out the blinds. Then squeals were released as they saw a plate of cookies and this note sitting in front of our door.

Really, how cool is that? We were, needless to say, a little excited. Katie got it right away that there would be something each night and could hardly stand it when I told them it was time for bed each night. It was an exercise in futility really...but I tried. The next night they kept on wanting to go wait at the window, which of course was exactly the opposite of what was instructed. I finally convinced them that they didn't want to spoil the surprise...and what a surprise they got. Look at those balloons! They "shared" ownership of the monkey balloon. For weeks these balloons would turn up in different corners of the house. Katie and Christian just loved it, even if Christian is trying to be cool about the whole thing the pictures.

The next night they actually got in bed and Christian fell asleep. Katie was almost there when the doorbell rang. Flying out of her room and down the hall, she was determined to catch them. But these were professionals I tell you. You can hear a car door close outside from any of our five immediate neighbors with our windows closed. I have, many times, met a friend at the front door because the car door closing was my doorbell. We never heard the car door close...sneaky... We got candy and straws, toys and a cute shirt for Katie. I won't tell you how many times she wore it that week.... :)
The next night we got these beautiful flowers. Look at that beautiful Daisy! At this point we were determined to give back. I started making my homemade bread and had it timed that it would be ready on the doorstep at the next "regular" drop time. But they had our number, or at least they had a different plan. That night the kids were a little miffed because it was a date night kit for Mike and I. How awesome is that? We shared later though, so the bitterness did not last. This is a fantastic and fun idea.

The next day we were ready with the bread. We would put it out earlier, just in case. But they surprised us one last time with heart shaped blueberry muffins for BREAKFAST. We were foiled again with our idea of giving back a little. However, that did not keep us from devouring the muffins like little piggies.

I have not a clue who did this for us, but I can tell you that my heart was so touched that we were chosen. Thank you for your kindness and making my kids and Mike and I feel so special. I guess we will just have to pay it forward next year. We LOVE you!

Mike was also so thoughtful and sent me beautiful roses. They were so gorgeous. Look at these flowers. We went to dinner for the first time on Valentine's day. We usually go another night to avoid the madness, but we got out to one of our favorite restaurants and had so much fun just talking the night away.

Before we went our date with each other however, we had our dates with the kids. The kids just love the one-on-one time that they get from us. Katie was dying to go roller blading at Skateland (she had a pass for one free from her teacher...I won't tell you how long we had it before we used it...). So I took my roller blades and she rented a pair and we skated until she was worn out. We had a lot of fun. Look at that smile! We headed for Dairy Queen where she got a treat and shared a bite with me. Usually I get something too, but I was going out with Mike and was saving my appetite...

Christian and Dad stayed home to do what Christian wanted to do most...play Lego Star Wars on the Wii. They got Slurpee's and hung out like dudes do. It was heaven for Christian and Mike had fun too.

It was a fabulous week from start to finish. I have never been to hot on the whole Valentine's thing, but I love thie family who has helped me see that we can focus on the love for those who are around us instead.

The Steelers Bandwagon

Mike has been a Steelers fan since his youth. His love for the Steelers began when he hopped on the bandwagon at 10 years old and saw the Steelers win a Superbowl and he never got off. Most of his life he has lived away from a place that has had an NFL team close by. Even through the drought of losses, he loved them. He is a Cubs fan...so he is used to losing. He wore his Steelers Jersey to work in downtown Phoenix on Friday and was attacked by one of the ladies in the office. He said it was unprovoked...he didn't say anything. But he had taunted them the day before and then showed up in his Bettis Jersey. What did he expect in the middle of Cardinal Territory?

Saturday night as we are talking with the kids, Christian informed us that the Steelers team was weak and he was routing for the Cardinals. Apparently, Mike had been schooling people at work, but forgot to teach his own kid. (We don't actually watch much football on Sunday as it is usually used for family time. So, we were at a disadvantage.) Even with all of the evidence to the contrary of who was historically the better team, Christian could not be dissuaded from the playground rhetoric. He was routing for the Cardinals and we would be sorry. I complimented him on his conviction.

Today on our way home from Church, he was still all about the Cardinals. Once again, I complimented him. As his Cardinals were going down, then back up, then a final closing touchdown made, I let him know that it would be alright if he decided that the Steelers were his team instead. It would lead to a lot of years of fun football watching with his dad, cheering for the same team. He took the invitation. He bolted for the other side. Hopefully his little hiney is securely on the Steelers Bandwagon.

Yay Steelers!