Pinewood Derby

Tonight was our first experience with the Pinewood Derby. Sure we have always helped out Grandpa and entered at the Ouzts Family Reunion, but tonight was the first time we MADE our own cars. I didn't realize just how much time and effort that kids and adults put into their cars. Noah's Derby was both of the local wards combined, even the Bishopric's were competing. It was so exciting! All the kids were counting down and doing drum rolls on the gym floor; they got pretty rowdy. The race was even computerized, how cool is high tech racing! Anthony and the boys cut the cars out on the scroll saw and sanded them to a smooth finish. Today Noah and I painted both of the cars and I decorated them. Gotta love having a Cricut and the Sure Cuts Alot program. The boys wanted numbers and flames, so that is what they got. Check them out! Kierstin used a car that Grandpa Ouzts had made, so it wasn't her usual "girly" style, but she had a great time.

Below are some pictures of the kids with their cars and enjoying the many heats of races. If you haven't ever been to a Pinewood Derby, check it out sometime - I promise you will enjoy it. We sure did!

Dancers Giving Back

This past month has been a busy one for Miss K. Lots of practices and lots of performances. Kierstin's teacher is amazing and she feels that it is important for the girls to give back to the community that supports them. This being said they have done several local performances at Assisted Living facilities, Retirement Communities, and at a local fundraiser.

As usual they did a fantastic job and I just wanted to take a minute to share some pictures and say just how proud I am of my daughter for taking the time to share her talent with those around her.

Thanks Kierstin, you are amazing!

Noah's 1st Baseball Game

We are baseball fans, specifically Seattle Mariners fans. Just ask my kids, and they will tell you their favorite player is Ichiro. Its a great family pastime, that we can all enjoy together.

Naturally Noah wants to be a baseball player. He is playing in the Rookie league on the Yankee team that is sponsored by the local Ford dealership. His first game was on Saturday. He did amazing! (Considering they didn't have a coach until the day before the game.) He had his first hit, a very respectable Single and he scored a run. At this point the coach is still deciding on positions so he has been moving everyone around the field trying out different spots and teaching at the same time. All in all it was an pretty good game. I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings, providing the lovely liquid sunshine will stop.

As a side note, I don't think Jonah is that big of a baseball fan. He spent the entire game running around the track and jumping through tires. A future track star? Guess we will wait and see.

Way to go Noah! YOU ROCK!!!

Kierstin's Solo Festival Videos

So after half an hour of searching and lots of frustration I finally had to change some settings so that I could upload the videos. Anyway, here they are. I hope you enjoy them. (You might need to turn up the sound on the vocal video.)

Our crazy Saturday...

So I don't know how many of you read Anthony's facebook posts but last week he posted that "my wife has left me...for a few days. Just men in the house doing manly things." So when I returned from my 4 day Mommy vacation things were a little crazy. Men don't do laundry, men only do the dishes they need to eat, and men don't clean up after themselves. At least not my men....so after I recovered from all the manly activities, I discovered that Anthony had TRIPLE BOOKED our Saturday. So here's how our day went...


The first activity of the morning was Kierstin's performances at Solo Festival. (Dad signed the papers for this while I was out of town. He thought it was during the week.) Solo Festival was held at SWOCC (Southwestern Oregon Community College). Why Anthony thought the middle school would be using the college campus during the week eludes me. Anyway, she performed a Vocal Solo and a Drum Solo. (The videos are in a seperate post.) She did amazing. The vocal judge thinks that she needs vocal lessons and the Percussion judge was impressed that she had only been taking band since November.

While I was with Kierstin, Anthony was taking Noah to register for Little League. He got Noah all signed up and left him with the SWOCC baseball team for a mini clinic. He had a blast! He can't wait to assigned a team and start practicing.  A picture of his throwing drill is below. Enjoy!

The final event of our crazy morning was haircuts for both Anthony and Jonah while Noah was still at the Little League clinic. Thanks goodness for Auntie Becca who took Jonah to the barber shop so that he could get his haircut. Aren't you glad you didn't have my Saturday? After a crazy morning, Kierstin and I went to the laundry mat with Auntie Becca to help fold laundry. We had a good time watching people, laughing, and yes; even folding laundry. 

My son just told me that I am neither a boy or a girl. He says I'm a only a mom. Ok,fine. But I'm still wondering if I'm not a girl or a boy then what am I?

Blogging on the go...

Mobile Test Message. So I just configured my Droid to update my blog. I hope this works. Here a recent picture of the kids. Enjoy!

New Year, New Look

Can you believe that it is 2010?  Where did the last half of 2009 go... If your life is a "busy" as mine I am sure that you understand.  I blinked and December had come and gone.  Lots of exciting days, family visits, Christmas, and more.  I will share those later. 

We had our family pictures taken a few days ago and since it was a new year I decided that the blog needed a new look and a new picture.  I hope that you enjoy it!  This is just one of the proofs from our photo shoot.  I will post more after I get them.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and harmonious year!