Pinewood Derby

Our Cub Scout days are quickly drawing to a close. Yesterday we participated in our last Pinewood Derby. It should have been our easiest year ever, especially since Connor quickly decided on the same exact design he has done the past 2 years, but somehow it ended up being one of the most challenging years. We had trouble with paint not wanting to dry and wheels that kept going in crooked. Then there were Genna's butterfly wings. We had to clip them down a bit so they would fit underneath the sensor bar on the track. As usual we were putting on the finishing touches, only hours before the weigh in. Despite all the difficulties, everyone was happy with how the races went.

Connor won first place in his Den with his rocket car

Jameson worked really hard on his vintage 7up can car

Genna got the cinder block award for the car that took the longest to get down the track

Weekend in Review

Well, we've had the last of our relaxing weekends till the end of February.

The craziness started 2 weeks ago when Connor & Troy went up to Lincoln for a special tour of the weight room, locker room and tunnel at Memorial Stadium. It was a reward for selling over $1500 worth of Cub Scout popcorn. They were also able to go to a men's basketball game.

(the only blurry picture from the game)

This past weekend included a crop for me, sleepovers for the boys, and a special Daddy-daughter date for Troy & Genna.

Also came the first basketball games of the season, tumbling for Genna, a hoop shoot contest for the boys and the pinewood derby car workday.

Little tumbler

1st place in age 10 boys, he made 8 out of 15 shots

2nd place in age 12 boys, he made 8 out of 15 and then 3 out of 5 in a shootout

Sunday was ward conference, which was very time consuming for Troy as the bishop. A member of our ward died and so he & I went and made a visit to the funeral home Sunday night. This week I am hoping for a real date, but it probably won't happen. Connor has his birthday party Friday night, Saturday is more tumbling, basketball, & the Kasten's Christmas and then Sunday night we are hosting a party at our house for my BIL who is getting home from Iraq.

Life is certainly not dull around here these days.

Good Things

As I sit at my desk the day before Thanksgiving, my heart is full thinking of all the many blessings in my life. My family, my friends, my faith, my home...the list goes on and on.

Here are a few other things that have made me smile recently...

getting to be there for my niece Ashlyn's first birthday. My sister and I had a lot of fun together, while the guys went hunting. We actually got a lot accomplished that weekend, cooking, shopping and crafting. Click on it so you can see the adorable onesie, Lorilee made to go with the frilly skirt.



gorgeous weather for November



my sweet husband putting up the lights for me



same great guy going with me to Twilight and then listening to me ramble on and on for hours comparing it to the book.

learning how to make bows from my sister. I am so excited that Genna is going through a phase where she loves to have a bow in her hair. We had a 6 month period where she wouldn't even let me touch her hair.



a cub scout that worked very hard and was the top seller in our pack this year. He sold over $1500 and earned the prized rocket for his efforts and also $115 worth of gift cards that are burning a hole in his pocket.



a twelve year old who willing made chocolate chip cookies (and took pictures of the process) while his parents took a nap on Sunday afternoon. It was a heavenly smell to wake up to.




And all of you- I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!