The Kid's Christmas Present is Finished

Eric has spent a few hours here and there preparing a spot for the Kid's Christmas Present in the back yard. With last week being Spring Break (and before it got too hot) Eric decided to finish the project and give the kids something to play on in the back yard.

He started by removing the grass.

Then placing 2 truck loads of sand down to level out the area. Then the structure could begin to take form. He spent a little bit of time on it each morning before he went to work. The kids helping every step of the way.

We had to take a break for Easter Sunday, but it didn't stop the kids from trying to play on it.

Then he spent 6-7 hours on Monday putting it all together.

Just before dark it was complete and ready to be played on. The kids can't wait to come home from school...do their homework...practice the piano...then go outside and play until it's bed time.

This last week our kids were on their Spring Vacation, so we took the opportunity to do some yard work.

Yard work takes a lot of WORK.

You need to help each other...

and use your muscles

When it's time to take a break, it's nice to go for a ride...

and let someone else do the work.

but then you need to get back to work

and lend a helping hand

Just don't forget to cool off when you're done!

School Awards for the Kids

Both Brendan and Kristen received awards at school yesterday.

Kristen received an award for Honor Roll for getting all "A's and B's" for second quarter. She had received one for first quarter too.

Brendan received the Dream Catcher Citizen of the Month for February. There is only 1 student per class that is selected for this honor and Brendan received it for his. The Dream Catcher Citizen is a student who exemplifies the weekly life skills, displays a positive attitude, has strong work habits, and a true love of learning.

We bought a new DVD/TV player.

We decided to buy a new DVD/TV player.

It's only an 8" screen

But it came with this great motor to run it and 4 new tires. The speakers make it sound like you are in a theatre with surround sound. The gas mileage is better than the Durango by about 15 miles/gal.

It also came with a 75000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and it fits nicely in the garage.













The kids especially like that they can climb in and push a button to close the door...now Mom doesn't have to get out and close the door for them.



Yes...we have gone the way of letting our Dodge Durango go for a better economical vehicle. The amazing thing is that it will pull the boat. It's getting warm outside, so I imagine Eric will test it out in the next few weeks and take the 4 wheels, the engine, the DVD/TV, and the boat out to the lake.

Sliding down the...

"You know...Howard Banister...as in sliding down the..."

What movie is that from?

President's Weekend in Salt Lake City

Our family took a trip to Salt Lake City this past weekend and had a great time.

The kids wanted to see the snow.



Dad wanted to see the "Back of the Moose" cabin.













While at the cabin...the front of the moose saw dad.














But most of all we wanted to visit with our family


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Kristen's B-Day *&* Happy Valentine's Day

Today is Kristen's Birthday. She is our Valentine's baby. Her first gift this morning was a new QRS piano roll "Happy Birthday."

Happy Birthday Kristen.