Fort Rucker Alabama, home of Army Aviation

So, I am currently in Alabama. It is very nice and warm compared to last week. 79 and sunny is much better than -40 and snowy. Anyway, I'm working at an Army base that trains helicopter pilots. They have an awesome museum here and I stopped by yesterday after work. The museum had just closed but they let me look around a few minutes anyway. Here are some pics! Enjoy.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

We have had so much snow this winter!  Yesterday it took Aaron over an hour to shovel about 12 inches off half of our drive way.  In fact, we were literally snowed in.   (I am so grateful Aaron was home to shovel!)  There was no way we could have made it out of the driveway without getting stuck. Luckily our great neighbors came by with their four wheelers and finished the driveway and moved all the snow the snow plow placed right in front of our driveway.  They cancelled church after Sacrament Meeting because the snow was coming down so fast and they were worried about people getting stuck in the parking lot.  Let's just say it was one of the greatest Sundays of Drew's life!

This picture was taken a couple of  weeks ago 

and at the time I thought this was a lot of snow.  

The snow is now almost half way up the fence!!

With all this beautiful snow comes some very anxious children.  D has had a fever of 102.8 for the past 24 hours and P has been trying to get rid of a cough for the past 2 weeks, so outdoor activities are out.  Break out the......

Moon Sand!

Messy stuff, but worth the afternoon of fun!

Candy Land!

D and P played so well together!

We must have played 5 games!

As soon as E and Al got home

P tricked them into playing a few more 

games with him!

The 100 Club

On Monday, January 7th, the first grade started the 100 Club.  The goal is that each first grader will read 100 books by the end of the school year.  Well, Alex went right to work all on his own.  He read and read and read. Tuesday, January 15th he finished reading 100 books. He was the first person in the entire first grade to finish. This was the 100th book he read.

He was so excited to get his t-shirt on Wednesday. 

However, he read so fast that the t-shirts hadn't arrived. 

Look what he came home in today....

Way to go Alex! 

Drew was especially excited!

Here are a few words by Alex...

A Visit to the Zoo

One of the boys favorite places to visit is T and Rhett's basement.

Who knew they had their own

Cabela's exhibit in their

basement!

We were visiting over the holidays

and this is what they discovered...

They were a little nervous

at first, but it didn't last long.

Let's just say

they can't wait to come back!

My Personal Chefs

Monday afternoon E told me, "Mom, I'm cooking dinner tonight. How do I set the oven?" Did I hear him right? Why yes I did. Right at 4:50, E started cooking. He made honey barbeque chicken wings, pineapple, and strawberry lemonade. Delicious! Tuesday night Alex came up to me and said, "Hey Mom. Remember I'm making dinner tonight." Alex made spinach ravioli, garlic bread, carrots, and strawberry lemonade. He did a great job! As we were driving home this evening Drew said, "Mom remember I'm making chicken nuggets tonight." As we pulled into the driveway, he noticed that his best friend was home. "Mom go ahead and make the chicken nuggets. I'm going to Jaxon's!" Two out of three isn't bad!

Ode to the Mustache

Peyton's favorite saying this Christmas was "Ho ho ho Merry Mustache! May your mustaches be full and your parts be strait!" Many of you read Eric's epic post regarding the strength in mustaches and parts. Well, many took it to heart as you will see....

A shout out to Jones and Steve

Points for you both!!

Christmas Day by Me

Drew got a Fisher Price digital camera for Christmas. Let's just say by Christmas afternoon he'd taken close to 400 pictures. Here is Christmas Day by Drew.....

Pictures of my boys...

Ethan playing PSP and

Alex got the coolest Bumblebee
Transformer! I need some
Transformers for my birthday!!!

Dad is transforming him from a car
to a Transformer.

Nobody can come
into my room!
Only me!
That's a Transformer
I drew and taped
to my door.

My clean room!

My Christmas tree. Mom tried to take
it down, but I won't let her.
I'll never take it down!

I like Bumblebee!

Neana is silly!

Rhett...
We had fun playing with the
"animals!"

Good picture! That is so funny
of my foot!

Captain Ric giving the points!

Hi Peyton! I'm teaching him
how to be nice and not mean!

A self portrait by Roo
That's me when I don't
have any eyes or nose!

I miss my cousins!

Now it's time to relax in
a nice machine bath!

Christmas Eve

We just got back from a wonderful
Christmas Eve at Mimi and Papa's.
It was so great being
together with Mimi, Papa,
Neana, Rick,
T, Rhett,
and a surprise visitor......
Santa!
First, after braving true winter roads,
we enjoyed a delicious dinner of
ham, potates, Mimi's famous orange rolls,
wassil, rosettes, T's wonderful Rocky Road fudge,
and Neana's delicious divinity.
We then enjoyed an outstanding
performance of the Nativity Story by
Neana, Rick, and the boys - narrated by Papa.
T and Nan entertained the crowd
with the stunning duet Sleigh Bells.
After which everyone sang
Jingle Bells so loud that
Santa Claus had to stop by for a quick visit!
Since the boys had been
so good this year he gave E Uno Spin,
Alex Ants in the Pants,
Drew Cootie,
and Peyton Lucky Ducks.




The boys are now nestled all snug in their beds
under super soft animal blankets.
(Peyton has figured out
the tiger blanket is not real
and insisted on only
sleeping with his new
"soft blanket.")

My Lifesaver!

Can I just tell you how wonderful E is....
Tonight I needed to give
Peyton a bath.
E volunteered to watch him.
Not only did he watch him, but
also play with him.
When I came to check on them
I told E I had lots of laundry to fold.
E replied,
"Can I fold the laundry?"
Well, I certainly couldn't turn
down an offer like that.

E proceeded to fold and put away two loads of laundry!

Then when it was time for family prayer
he managed to get all his brothers
standing at attention for a picture.

I am so grateful for E!
He is the greatest!!
I love this boy!

It Snowed!

Yesterday was the first "real" snow of the season. Drew woke up thrilled that it snowed, so that it could finally be Christmas. From the minute Peyton woke up he wanted to "play outside." Off to the store to get Peyton some snow pants and Drew some gloves. The minute we got home the three raced outside and played for over 1 1/2 hours!

This cutie would have played outside all day if we let him!


Working on some snowballs!


Making a snow angel....


More snow angels.

While E missed out on the snow fun
he was busy having a blast at basketball camp.
He came home, cleaned up,
and headed to Jump on It
with some friends!

What a fun Saturday!